The Wait

Written on Thursday, August 28th:

As I sit here in the Raleigh airport waiting for my flight home, I am an emotional wreck.  I cannot imagine my life without my faith – truly, I cannot imagine how I would have gotten through this week.  Here are the highlights:

·         Surgery on Monday went as good as could be expected.  Waiting for pathology to confirm, but oncologist was very encouraged – still talking cure.  Hallelujah!
·         Monday night, found out a great friend of my sister’s family collapsed over the weekend and was in need of prayers.  He was a 31 year old father of 3, 3^rd grade teacher, tennis coach, and on all accounts an amazing individual.  I read a post from a mother who had a student in his 3^rd grade class.  I will not do that post justice, so please read it @ tuesdaysperspective.blogspot.com.  Long story short, this man was an Angel on Earth.  Sadly, I say was because God called him up to Heaven on Wednesday evening.  No words…
·         I spent the day on Wednesday with an amazing friend & colleague who is going through struggles – both with the health of her child and strengthening her marriage
·         Today, I met a man whose wife suffered a brain injury during labor & delivery of their twins 5 years ago.  While she is “functioning,” she still has significant deficits compared to her life before this incident.
·         I spoke with Parker’s dad (if you don’t know or remember Parker, please read my blog from 3/19 – Please Help!  Prayer Request).  Parker was just released from the hospital after a 10 day stay due to an infection that his body couldn’t fight off due to the cancer treatments.  Hallelujah, Parker is home and doing better!
·         An amazing woman I met over the summer who has struggled with getting pregnant just posted that she and her husband are expecting their first child this April
·         Friends from high school who had a child born with both a chromosome disorder & bilateral neuroblastoma, posted an amazing video of their journey to a cancer-free diagnosis.
·         Another friend from high school who has been fighting cancer found out that it is back, very aggressive, and is having issues with insurance covering his treatments.

I know there has been more – but I think that is all my heart can handle.  This roller coaster of emotions has really taken a toll on me.  I think the people sitting around me think I am a little crazy – crying & typing at the gate J.

What came to mind this week, especially with some of the sadness, was a passage out of Chip Ingram’s God as He longs for you to see Him.  You need to truly read this book because Chip tells this story in a way where you can actually feel like you are there.  Here is my version:

His friend Glen was on vacation from a mission with his wife and family when Glen saw a young boy about to drown – get pulled under by the undertow.  Glen shot into action, pulled the boy up from the undertow and threw him into a wave that drag him to shore. 

While the boy was getting help, his friend Glen found himself being pulled down by the undertow – and truly felt like he was going to die.  In what he thought would be his last breath, he prayed out to Jesus for help.  In that instant, he felt himself pulled from the bottom and moving toward the shore.

Now, you may be wondering why I am recounting this story from the book.  Here it is:

When Glen was revived and was able to speak, he said to his friend – “God is good, isn’t He?”

Now – if a friend of yours just survived what seemed to all there to be certain death – what would you say?  “Absolutely!”  “Hallelujah!”  “Praise God!”  “God is Good, Amazing, Wonderful!”

Here is what Glen’s friend said:  “Glen, God sure is good, but he’d be good even if you died out there.”

Wow!  That is a heavy comment – especially considering the circumstances, right?!?  But, it is also 100% true.  God is good – regardless of the outcome.  The outcome of the situation does not determine God’s goodness.  That is an absolute. God is good!

So, I went digging into the Bible because I wanted to see others in the Bible were afflicted.  I read the book of Job.  Then, I came upon this passage:

John 9:1 – 3 (GNB):  As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man who had been born blind.  His disciples asked Him, “Teacher, whose sin caused him to be born blind?  Was it his own or his parents’ sin?” 

Jesus answered, “His blindness has nothing to do with his sins or his parents’ sins.  He is blind so that God’s power might be seen at work in him."

I write all of this because, as you can imagine, I am an emotional wreck.  And, in all that, I still know "God is good!" And, when you look, you can see His work in every situation. 

Lord,

I love you so very much!  Thank you for helping me to always look for you in very situation. You never said life would be easy. You only said You would always be with us. I feel You here. I know You are with me and with all of us.  Regardless of my results, I know that You will continue to be with is - through every step of this journey. 

Amen!