Duke Day 8—Discharge!
Mike was discharged yesterday and is feeling much better. Still really tired, but much, much better. As of right now, he has no doctor’s appointments or treatments until Monday, so we’re enjoying some much-needed rest!
Ahhhh, Rest
As long as we get no phone calls from Duke between now and then, we have a few days to simply relax and rest. I can’t put into words how much of a blessing it is to be able to rest! We appreciate every prayer that you have breathed on our behalf. We ask that you continue to pray this week that we, especially me, prioritize rest and don’t take on any extra stress this week that isn’t urgent. And while you’re at it, please pray that no urgent needs arise!
Some very dear North Carolina friends have opened up their home to us. They have a beautiful property that inspires rest and brings a calm to our noisy souls. (The featured image is just a stock photo, but it gives you an idea of how we feel here.) I got teary-eyed this morning as I told my friend over coffee what a blessing it is to me, personally, to be taken care of for a little bit. They are feeding us amazing home-cooked meals, meeting all our practical needs by doing things like grocery shopping and trips to Walmart, and just generally loving us with the ministry of presence and prayers (or no presence when we need space). I’m teary-eyed again just typing this. This was a need I didn’t even realize I had.
This short little respite has reminded me that God loves us, and is listening to our cries for help. What are you crying out to the Lord for today? I hope this praise report gives you a small morsel of faith to keep knocking on heaven’s door. I didn’t even know to specifically pray for this, but God knew a deeper need than I could anticipate. He doesn’t turn away one prayer of the saints. He may just be planning a better answer for you than you’re requesting.
More Than You Can Ask or Imagine
Last Monday, the weather was beautiful in the morning in West Virginia. I was on the back porch of my mom’s house, enjoying the weather and my coffee and Bible, you know, just generally enjoying the moment. I asked God to please give me more mornings like that. Then, Duke called in the afternoon. I remember thinking well, I guess that’s one more prayer that not only went unanswered, but that God chose to do the opposite. It was a wrestling moment for my faith—again. Then, Mike spent an unexpected eight days in the hospital.
But this week, I was determined to put my faith before my fears. I was desperately praying for God to give me the strength not to blame God and stay in a pit of despair. Then, I was {embarrasingly} surprised when God actually answered this prayer and then some. He heard my prayer for more quiet mornings alone with him outdoors in the fall weather. God answered the prayer so specifically, he even gave me the weather I requested!
I’ll leave you with the following passage Paul prayed for the Ephesian church:
“I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
