February 05, 2007
Prayer Request - Emma Katherine
Our four-year-old daughter, Emma Katherine, started complaining about pain in her right hand last week. Friday afternoon, we noticed a small lump in the middle of her palm. It seemed to grow over the weekend. Right now, it is the diameter of a nickel and visibly raised.
We just returned home from the doctor today (the Lord blessed us in locating a homeschooling physician). The doctor’s recommendation is that we have the lump removed right away.
At first we thought it was a ganglion cyst (after doing some research on the Internet). However, the doctor said it isn't in the normal place for a ganglion cyst and she isn't in the usual age group. He also said it doesn't seem to be attached to the tendons.
He did seem very concerned about it and said he wasn't sure what it was. He said it was in a very unusual spot and recommended we have it surgically removed so it could be tested. He called in a colleague who was equally puzzled and he agreed. He said because of her age she would have to be completely sedated for the surgery. Our doctor is contacting a pediatric surgeon here in Peoria to schedule the next step.
Please pray that God will heal her before the surgery so that we don't have to put her through this. And please pray for a good report, either way.
We are resting in His sovereignty, knowing that His ways are not our ways. Please pray for us to continue to look to Him for guidance, strength, peace, and wisdom as well as for complete healing for Emma. To God be the glory! Thank you.
I will post updates as this progresses.
Posted by jm at 10:17 PM | Comments (0)
January 28, 2007
Woe is Me
Everyone in our family knows how important it is for us to leave for church on time. After all, I am the pastor – I can’t be late. Even on our day of rest, we should follow a schedule and 9:15 a.m. is when we must leave.
So, why is it we never achieve this simple goal? Something always seems to come up. Maybe it’s a lost coat or bread baking ever so slowly in the oven. Perhaps it’s a misplaced Bible, a diaper to change, or at least a dozen other obstacles. We have the hardest time making sure the van is out of the driveway by 9:15.
A few weeks ago, I preached out of the Book of Philippians. The text, Philippians 2:14-16, says, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”
God showed me that we, as children of God, need to be aware that our Father has laid out the lines of our life. He has orchestrated each moment. Thus, if we grumble about our estate or our situation, we are actually complaining about God. And, if we do this, we live a life inconsistent with our Christian testimony – we are dull lights indeed.
I am sure this section of Scripture resonates with parents everywhere. God gives us children to love and to lead and it becomes our responsibility to set their boundaries and their barriers, as well as to set goals for them. These goals may be educational, they could be spiritual, or they might be familial or household objectives. What happens in our hearts when, after setting such goals, our children complain and murmur? We are understandably hurt and troubled. In essence, our children are rebelling against our rule and are bringing disdain on the family name. Where might our children learn such behavior?
Could it be from us? Our days do not always go as we hoped or planned. We are known by the rest of the world as the most spoiled society to ever exist on the face of the earth. Interestingly enough, we are also the most discontent. We have more and want more—lots more. And when we can’t have it, we complain, moan, and whine.
What do we complain about? Everything! Have you ever complained about traffic jams? What about slow lines at a check out? Did you ever try taking an airplane trip with a tired baby? Here’s one for the dads – how do you respond when you can’t find your keys? Are you as sure as I am when this happens to me that your children must have lost them (that is, before you find them in your own pockets)? The list can go on and on - cold food, noisy neighbors, an unreasonable boss, slow employees, taxes, a poor call by a referee, mother-in-laws!
As we kick against our own situations, there are our children watching – and learning. They are learning that it is acceptable to claim Christ and live however you want. They are seeing first hand that we can be part of a family and complain about the rules.
This lesson was very real to me the morning I preached it. You see, we didn’t leave at 9:15 a.m. My 22-month-old son was sick and plans were altered. My Father was teaching me. He calls the plays, He makes the rules – and I should trust Him to work out the details.
Posted by jm at 07:58 PM | Comments (0)
