I prefer the spring. The leaves are coming out, and the birds are coming back. It's usually not too hot, and it's not too cold. Unfortunately, though, I can't have spring all the time. Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes that "for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." Following this statement, there are a series of pairs, one of which is positive and the other negative. In chapter 3:4, for example, he says that there is "a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance." In every case, I'd prefer one over the other, but "the Preacher" tells me that there is a time for every matter under heaven. He gives spring, and he gives winter. There is a time to weep, and there is a time to laugh. I only want the "good" stuff, but he also gives me the "bad" stuff. In verse 14, he writes, "God has done it, so that people fear before him." In other words, God has ordered things this way, so we would recognize whose world this really is and where we fit into it. My responsibility is to gratefully submit to his will no matter what season it is knowing that he could have given me an eternity of something worse than winter. Because of Christ's work for me and for Ian, though, the best season is still to come.
Yesterday, when Lydia got up from her nap, she wasn't very cheerful, and Ian reached out his hand and put it on her back as if to comfort her. He still doesn't talk to us, though. It's very confusing.
Please pray for continuing wisdom for us and all the therapists who visit Ian and all those who care for Ian. Pray for Ian.
Steve
7 comments:
Steve,
God's grace is so obviously upon you. I know you wouldn't have chosen to glorify God this way, but in this trial God's glory and power is shining through you. I want to imitate you...
Continuing to pray on Ian's behalf...
I will pray that you get the glimpse you so desperately want and need. Can God resist all of these prayers? Surely not. His word says he doesn't. The daily crises, or the lack of progress, is so draining. Praying for new strength (which at times seem trite to say) but my heart and soul is in it!
A friend
I continue to pray that the Lord would heal Ian's brain.....give continued strength and grace for the path that He's chosen......and wisdom. I am sorry that we are walking through significant trials adjacent to one another, but I find comfort from your words...and gain strength for our path. Jesus will help us all! (as He has promised)
Much love,
Cynthia Haughery
I am always praying for Ian--
He remains in my thoughts
GOD LOVE YOU
Phyllis
Dear Steve,
That quote from CHS yesterday was something, huh?
"I believe that every particle of dust that dances in the sunbeam does not move an atom more or less than God wishes - that every particle of spray that dashes against the steamboat has its orbit, as well as the sun in the heavens - that the chaff from the hand of the winnower is steered as the stars in their courses. The creeping of an aphid over the rosebud is as much fixed as the march of the devastating pestilence - the fall of...leaves from a poplar is as fully ordained as the tumbling of an avalanche."
I mean, how BIG is our God?! He spoke and there was a universe where there wasn't one before. And, I supposed, He could speak again and there would be NO universe! What can you do for a God that BIG, a God in control of EVERYTHING and yet so loving and compassionate towards us?! I guess, only what He commands us to do, which is to put our complete faith and trust in Him. Because He is completely worthy.
That's what you have done and are continuing to do, Steve. What a great example you are to us! As you ask at the end of all of your blog entries, we pray, PRAY and PRAY for Ian's full recovery and for God's grace, wisdom and strength for all of you close to Ian. Truly, the God who ordained all things will hear and answer our prayers!
Still praying!
Mary Ann K.
Over in the UK praying for you and your family...
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