Welcome problems as perspective-lifters. My children tend to sleepwalk through their days until they bump into an obstacle that stymies them. If you encounter a problem with no immediate solution, your response to that situation will take you either up or down. You can lash out at the difficulty, resenting it and feeling sorry for yourself. This will take you down in a pit of self-pity. Alternatively, the problem can be a ladder, enabling you to climb up and see your life from My perspective. Viewed from above, the obstacle that frustrated you is only light and momentary trouble. Once your perspective has been heightened, you can look away from the problem altogether. Turn toward Me, and see the Light of my Presence shining upon you. (April 26, Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence, Sarah Young)
More perfect words could not have been written when I went to read the above entry in my daily devotional. Sharing it with Dave allowed me to deliver God’s perspective to him much like I deliver news stories. I am just the mouthpiece, but I am taking much comfort in this message. And so, too, have the comments and emails and Facebook posts from many of you near and far lifted us up at a time when we could melt into sorrow. Here I sit in the waiting area of another medical building as Dave undergoes a spinal MRI. How quickly this ordeal is put into perspective when I look up to see a mother with no hair awaiting her procedure with her young daughter nearby. Across from me is a 38-year-old Christian mother of 4 here with her mom as she preps to undergo another treatment for multiple myeloma. There is no cure. Her 8-year-old daughter has had tuberous sclerosis, diagnosed at age 2. Only recently have her twice-a-week seizures been reduced, once her adnoids were removed and she could sleep soundly. So these experiences, perhaps once mundane moments, are so much more profound. God has always been speaking to me, only now I am listening.
Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 34
This post was written by Tara on April 26, 2011
Prayers for continued strength and patience, and for God’s peace that is given even when it seems impossible to have any peace. We’ll be at Mayo tomorrow for one of my many app’ts up there, so will be thinking of you even more than usual. Blessings from Pastor Laura
When things get tough, I always remember, someone has it 10 times worse than I do, someone is 10 times sicker than I am, and if I drag my feet I’m only setting myself up for failure. If I pick them up and run, I have proven to myself I can accomplish more than I ever thought.
Well said ilovespring!! ;~}}}} Tara, hold your head high for your family and know so many friends are pulling for your beautiful family..Sometimes these hard times make you look at life in a more positive way.
ilovespring……very inspirational. Something for everyone to think about.
May you continue to find strength through your strong faith and love for your family.
Tara, I probably sat in those same waiting rooms. It is so scary – and most of the waiting rooms didn’t have windows outside. I would walk till I found windows to see God’s great world.
Hope you find results soon.
How is the hotel room?
Thinking of you and hoping for the best for you. While M.S. can be a frightening diagnosis, it is controllable. Mr daughter-in-law has been living with it for 15 years now. Many advancements have ocurred since she was diagnosed. God Bless you and Dave! Stay positive…He will get you through!
Tara, hope you and Dave find the strength to get through these first days of diagnosis. It throws you for a loop, that’s for sure. God’s peace and love to you both, as you deal with all this new information. I hope you find comfort in the days ahead.
Tara & Dave, Sarah Young is a wonderful “companion” to have waiting with you. Her message to you from God is just what you needed yesterday. Our love and prayers continue.
Tara-
Check out Lara Story, her song “Blessings” and the story of Laura and Martin and their faith in facing his medical challenges. Her website is http://www.laurastorymusic.com and you, of course, can find video on youtube.
Prayers to you and Dave, You will both get through this ordeal with God beside you. Wishing you both better days ahead.
God’s blessings to you, Tara and Dave.
Thinking of you both & praying for strength while you process and deal with Dave’s diagnosis.
Often things happen that don’t make sense to me. I find comfort when I remember HIS words – “Thy will be done.” We are on earth for the moment; God leads us down paths without explaining the purpose to us. When I am feeling overwhelmed, I remember the phrase Thy will be done.
So agree with your comments Tara. If we don’t have Jesus, we have nothing. There would be no hope, so hang on to Him and he will see you through this. Once you have seen Him at work in your life and you really know it in your heart, you can’t go back, you can’t do life without Him. He is faithful and we can’t see the awesome things he is doing in the midst of this trial.
“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.”
Romans 8:28
Funny how often we ignore that wee small voice until something major happens in our lives. Continue to listen and to share your faith with Dave – he needs that right now too. Praying all continues to go well for you. God bless your family.