Thursday, July 13, 2017

Trust His Heart

These are lyrics to a song that has been playing in my head today...

Trust His Heart
by Babbie Mason

All things work for our good
Though sometimes we don't see 
How they could
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth

Our Father knows what's best for us
His ways are not our own
So when your pathway grows dim
And you just don't see Him,
Remember you're never alone

He sees the master plan
And he holds our future in His hand,
So don't live as those who have no hope,
All our hope is found in Him

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His Heart

(Apparently the lyrics above are based on a C.H. Spurgeon quote.)

I got news this morning that breaks my heart. . .  the heartbreak in my step-father's family is overwhelming.  My step nephew (whose father passed away last July) has been bravely battling brain tumors for 18 months. This week he has been experiencing headaches, disorientation, forgetfulness, lack of motor control. . .  and now his mom has been told by doctors that she should call hospice.  She has looked at her son fighting this dreadful disease, and she knows just how tired of fighting he is. . .  she has walked with him (as she did with her husband) every step of the way.  I don't know how she is holding it together (she is, at least for now).  I don't know how my stepfather is holding it together (he's not.)  His wife also passed away from cancer at 36.  Then his son at 43.  Now he sees his grandson slipping away at 13. . .  and then there are the 3 younger brothers who lost their dad last year and now face losing their brother.  

So, I just have to say. . .  I DON'T understand how this family can be asked endure so much suffering. I don't understand God's purpose in this.  But, I have to continue to place my trust and faith in Him. He is too wise to be mistaken.  He is too good to be unkind. I must continue to trust His heart. Even when it is hard and doesn't make sense. . .  trust.  Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. . .  more than once. . .  we continue to trust. He is with us. He will never leave nor forsake us.  

This is one of my favorite pics of the six of them, as it perfectly captures their family pre-cancer... happy and so creative... the Waldos.  Two artist/graphic designer parents and four high-energy boys! (The dad who passed away last summer is the big guy in the back, the 13 y-o is right beside him to the right.)

Would you lift up this precious family in the coming days?  

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Happy 4th!

I hope, for those of you who are a US citizens, that you are having a happy 4th surrounded by family and friends! I am very thankful for the freedoms we have in this nation, including the ability to live, work, and worship as we choose.  Our nation is so far from perfect, but at least for now we are able to still do these without fear of retribution.  Our family celebrated yesterday with my husband grilling out (accompanied by potato salad, stuffed eggs, and homemade Butterfinger ice cream) and ending the day with fireworks in our neighborhood.

 

Today (the actual 4th) we are just watching historical movies and eating leftovers!  What a great blessing it is to have been born here in the land of the free and the home of the brave.  May I never take it for granted. And I do pray for God to continue to bless America because, ultimately, freedom can only come from knowing Him.