There's been a virus floating around our house lately...it hit Cole first, resulting in over a week of fevers and congestion, ending in two ear infections...then it moved on to Cora and my sweet princess is still coughing herself to sleep at night with one ear infection while thankfully, her fever has subsided. Now this lingering virus has moved on to me and I've been out of commission for about a week now...all in all, this means I've been home A LOT lately taking care of sick little bodies, and moving on now to my own :)
I am reminded in these times when I feel weak (and I've had a lot of them lately!) that the Lord is present and meets our needs even when we don't know where to look for the answer. As I look back on my life, I think it's safe to say I've always made attempts to be resourceful when the need arises. I've done whatever it takes to seek and find an answer to the needs that arise in my own life or in the lives of those near me. Then there are the times I've endured lately when I've been rendered inoperative (if you ask me!) Between 2+ months of nausea and extreme fatigue (being in my 1st trimester of pregnancy), and now this past week or so enduring this crazy cold virus that won't leave our house...the Lord has reminded me of how He cares and provides for those He loves, even when there seems to be no rescue in sight.
Leaving CA 18 months ago not only meant leaving our home state, but also our family and close network of lifelong friends. It was a sacrifice...the kind of sacrifice you only make when you KNOW you are called by God to make it. Thankfully the voice of the Lord is something John and I are accustomed to hearing. We have been in His presence throughout much of our lives apart and ALL of our marriage, so when HE called us, we went without much hesitation...though we certainly received some crazy looks from others who wondered what kind of God would call a young family with two children and one on the way away from everything familiar??? I know, (and I hope you do too if you've been following our story long), that our God who CALLS is also a God who SEES what's ahead before we ever do...
Our life here in IL has provided some of the most shocking moments (with Ryder's appendectomy and learning of Cole's deafness), along with some of the sweetest times of closeness with my Savior that I've ever known. I haven't had my family close by to help lighten the load or to ask to take as much of the burden as they could handle while we try and shoulder the rest. I know now, though, that this is exactly the way the Lord had for us to experience all that we have. When people we love are close, we tend to rely on their tangible, practical help FIRST, and then with what is left, we bring the lighter load to God. The more I study the book of Isaiah, the more I am blessed by the anointing God gave His Son, Jesus, before he even sent Him to earth.
This is the role of Jesus in the lives of those who believe He is Christ...the Risen Lord...the Son of God...the One who sees us and SAVES. Since moving to IL, God has not only drawn near to our family in beautifully intimate ways, but He's also provided us a community of people who also love Jesus, to love and care for us. Last week when Cora first got sick and Cole was just starting to get well, I had a friend who came and took Ryder for the day...he played with her son (5 years old whom Ryder loves) and she even dropped him off at pre-school for me so I wouldn't have to leave the house with my other little sickies. She then came later that day to pick him up, and take him to dinner with her boys and then off to church so he wouldn't miss his Wednesday night Rainbow class he loves so much. The Lord provides. Then this morning, another friend texted me to tell me she had dinner for our family that she was bringing over that night, so I wouldn't have to worry about cooking while still recovering...The Lord sustains us! I talked with my mom on the phone that day, telling her how my friends were such blessings lately while we're all getting over this virus...through tears, she told me that they were answers to prayer...while she would love to be meeting our needs right now, distance prevents that and so these friends who have cared for us now and since we moved here, are a blessing her as well as she experiences an answer to her prayers for us. The Lord hears!
John and I love to watch the show LOST, and the last episode was especially memorable for me. In it, Ben, who (throughout the coarse of the entire show), had shown himself to be untrustworthy, showed a desire for redemption. He was recently responsible for the death of a "God-like" character whom many loved and trusted. The enemy (devil-like character), however, convinced Ben in a time of weakness to murder this character. Because of this action, he himself was on the verge of being murdered by those who were angry. When no one was looking, the "enemy" appeared to Ben, and convinced him to run away and join him...the enemy promised freedom from his impending doom and release from all that seemed hopeless. Thinking this was his only way out, this man started running for this "so-called" freedom. He was stopped by one of the girls who wanted to see him dead. He explained to her that he had nothing left to live for, and that he was going to join the "enemy." When she asked why, he said, "Because he's the only one who will have me." And then she responded with something he may have never heard before in his entire life... "I'll have you," she said. And with that she turned around and walked back to camp. Shocked, stumbling and wide-eyed, he slowly followed her away from his plan to follow the "enemy," and back to those he thought hated him, but was hopeful could forgive him. He wanted to belong to those who would "have him."
I tell you that story, because this is the story of all man-kind. Every human being who has ever lived, has experienced a desire to belong....to be with those who will "have them." Watching Ben change his course of action so quickly at the sound of these words of acceptance, reminded me that it is our calling as Christians, to "Have" those around us. This man had murdered someone VERY dear to the girl who forgave him. To say the words, "I'll have you," in the moment when he was choosing which side to belong to, changed his life drastically. I wonder how many people we meet each day that are on the verge of making that choice. The Bible says the enemy roams around looking for those to devour...We may never know what stirs in the hearts of those we come across. They may be those we know and have a hard time loving, or others who are easier to love, but watching the hope rise up in the eyes of a murder who had just received a pardon reminded me that they don't need to be "worthy" in our eyes of our love...after all, who of us is worthy of the love of God, yet we have it FREELY given to us!
May we take time to look into the eyes of those we meet and consider our encounters with those who the world considers to be"no-bodies," divine appointments with those longing for someone who will "have" them. As Christians, we KNOW there is a God who longs to have a saving relationship with ALL He has created, regardless of their past. If WE don't tell them, someone else may convince them otherwise.
A simple response of 3 words to Ben was all it took to drastically change his course of action. It wasn't a long convincing speech, or hours of time and commitment....though I realize God calls us into deep-long lasting relationships with others too, there are times we need to remember that the Word of God speaks for itself, God just asks that we proclaim it's truth....All those who are poor, brokenhearted, captives or prisoners..in JESUS there is good news, healing, freedom, and release from the darkness that they may feel is their only option. It's not. If that is you, you need to know...the God of the Universe and Heavens calls you by name...there is One who is Greater than all you know that will HAVE YOU.
I am grateful that the Lord's hand on my life has been so visibly apparent lately that I can't take a breath with out praising Him...after a friend dropped off dinner today, I just sat and wept, thanking God for His favor, His attention, His goodness to us, and something like this fell from my lips to the One who HAS me...
Thank-you Lord for "having me..." You can take everything I own and everyone I know away, but I can never lose YOU....I know I've placed my trust in the One who will never fail. You are so good Lord...I will never tire of your goodness, grace and favor. Whatever life is like for the rest of my days, I have peace in knowing YOU.
To those who are searching, Lord, may they know this too and take comfort in the One to whom they really BELONG.
You get bonus points for the LOST/Theology reference! :) I agree completely. And I hope you and your whole family are healthy soon!
Thank you for this reminder tonight! You are a great friend across the miles, for being willing to share your story with all of us and the ways that God continues to speak to you and show Himself REAL!
Someone in our house (and at times multiples of us) was sick the whole month of February. I know how hard it feels and God does HEAL! I will be praying that each of your precious lives will be back on your feet soon!
Oh Danice.... that was so beautiful, and more importantly TRUE. Yes, your precious new friends are an answer to my prayers. I am praying that the Lord blesses them and their families, as they have blessed me and our family. Praise the Lord...
XOX
"Pain is God's megaphone to a deaf world." The journey of dependence upon the Lord is a treasure in the darkness, dearest family. I love to hear how the Lord is sustaining you all. Dad and I learned that early on in our family-rearing years, too. We love you!!
Mama
This is a deeply thoughtful chronicle of your journey, Danice. Your words are an encouragement to many. I'm so glad someone could bring dinner and take Ryder for the day.
I was surprised the other day when, out of the blue, Brynn started talking about Ryder.
Please know that, while you are far away, you are never forgotten.
Much Love,
Denise