Dec 4, 2007

Refuge


Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD
and take refuge in him!
Let all the upright in heart exult!
Psalm 64

Ian is my hero. He is persevering through a trial that none of us can understand or imagine. The Holy Spirit is at work in him, and it is evident in the fact that Ian continues to fight to come back to us. He has not given up. He has not resigned himself to weariness or defeat. I don't know what's going on in his heart, but I do see him every day working hard at therapy, working hard to do all of the things that we ask him to do.

That God can minister to him now is a daily reminder of how infinite God is. He is not limited by anything. God is still at work in Ian, making him more like Christ. Inside there somewhere, Ian is still the same man of God that he was last November- but an even better version.

God is also using Ian as an example of how much all of us are at God's mercy, but also at His protection. Ian has no say in his daily routine, he can't get up and leave a situation he isn't enjoying, he doesn't have control over anything that he does. He has no defense. Yet God is his defender and his refuge. We are all this much at God's mercy and this much in need of His refuge- it's just more obvious with Ian. I'm trying to talk this to myself because everything in me desperately wants to see Ian taking care of himself and back in control of his own life....

I'm clinging to the promises that God is Ian's refuge

Thank you for praying

"I shall not fear any harm
With your powerful arms around me"

Larissa

6 comments:

Kevin said...

Are you guys fasting today (Wednesday)? If so I'll join in if you can let me know, kevin.schellhase at gmail dot com.

Anonymous said...

Wow...Ian's a better man now than he was a year ago. Amazing to think about. What a great God!

Anonymous said...

Larissa,
YOU and the Murphys are my heroes, too! You ALL are going through this trial. I've been sick with cancer and I've stood by family members who have been very sick. From my perspective, the "standing by" part is harder. You long to help the person in need so much, but, at times, there isn't much you can do...in the physical, that is.
You seemed to have found the "key" to helping Ian, and that is to trust God with him. It sounds too simplistic, doesn't it? Yet, who but the God of the universe is more capable to meet our needs? Who but God loved us so much that He would die for us to reconcile us to Himself?
I praise Him for every bit of Ian's progress and for His making you all more like His Son!

Still praying!

Mary Ann K.

Anonymous said...

"The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it." - 1 Thessalonians 5:24 I am blessed by your posts clearly radiating God's glory. Praying for Ian,

Heidi

Kristen said...

Thinking of you Laris!

Anonymous said...

Larissa,
So, so true. I was thinking about you this morning and thinking what a different person you are today than before Ian's accident. God has molded and shaped you in ways you would never have known had this not happened. Made you more compassionate than you probably ever thought possible. Ian is making us all think harder about God and our condition before Him...think harder about what is true about God and about life. Someday we'll be able to ask God why this was more valuable than Ian being fully healthy right now. I look forward to that day... But today, we're clinging to those promises with you. Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us. God's Spirit is truly at work in you.
Sara B.