Encouragement

After a direct conversation with our ward doctor about what to expect and what decisions lie ahead, an encouraging reminder in pictures of words,

Tears welled up more frequently today as we try and come to terms with the severity of Lee Anne's inability to eat or drink. What we had thought was a single "mechanical" obstruction is in all likelihood multiple "invasive and adhesive" malignant cancerous growth binding Lee's bowels together such that they no longer function.

Thankfully the pastor from the girls school came to visit to remind us, amongst other things, of the Lord's Prayer, 

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."  Mat 6:9-10

So although we desperately want Lee Anne to be fully healed physically and should still pray for this, it's important to remember God's will and plan for all our lives. God did not cause Lee Anne to get cancer but works all things together for her good revealing His glory, His manifest presence and His love for us all.

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." Rom 8:18-32

The pastor also taught us that the Lord often refers to himself as a refuge, a stronghold, or a high tower, a safe, secluded place where we can go in times of trouble.

 "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9:9

"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him" Nahum 1:7

Many of you may ask yourself why God allows us to suffer and why He would allow a wife to be taken from her husband and a mother from her children. But it is more that God is bringing Lee to himself than taking her away from us. Moreover that will we soon follow her and be reunited with her again. Yes, we are sad and yes, the physical suffering is unbearable for Lee Anne at times, and yes we don't know why God is allowing this but we do know that His grace is sufficient for us, that we will get through this. Thanks be to God for the peace that passes understanding.