"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us...... For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." --Romans 8:18, 24-25
God is so faithful.
I cannot possibly say it enough. God is SO faithful. If there is any truth I have had so deeply ingrained in my heart since my mom's diagnosis in late 2004 it is this.
We all speak to the faithfulness of God but how many of us truly believe and trust in that faithfulness when it matters most? This journey from start to where we are today has been one of the most beautiful displays of God's glory revealed in us I have ever experienced. The best part? The glory that is STILL being revealed in all of us and the story of great HOPE in a great God we get to share every day.
I'm so thankful God is in the business of restoration. Not restoring things to the way they once were, but taking what wrecks us and creating something new and beautiful that is so far above and beyond the tragic things we go through-- that when we look back we can't imagine trading that circumstance for what once was.... because where we are now is so exceedingly greater and a perfect reflection of His glory. A true testament to His grace.
There have been so many storms we have chosen to praise God through. The initial diagnosis of advanced cirrhosis of the liver, wondering if the baby in my womb would ever get to know his grandma this side of heaven. Endless hospitalizations, late night phone calls, constant prayer that an answer would come -- and selfishly, an answer that wouldn't involve seeing her become sick to the point of certain death.
Through the wind and rain, we felt so weak and sometimes helpless. We prayed and fasted for healing all the while desperately seeking God's peace in where we were. The most beautiful thing? Knowing God's presence through it all. Every update to Mom's caringbridge site and the faithful friends and family lifting us in prayer made all the difference. It sounds so cliche... but truly every prayer on her behalf was felt. There were many times when we grew weary in our petitions to God and always, just then, we would receive emails or phone calls of loving people praying for us- waging war when we were too weak to stand.
Meeting my dear friend, Kimberly, was and will always be one of the most cherished memories I have. It marks the day that God moved mightily- in her life and in ours. She barely knew my mom but felt God speaking to her heart about donating part of her liver. I vividly remember her asking me if it would be weird, since we were pretty new friends, to pursue the donation process. I smile and laugh at that now because God knew. He knew. He was already in the process of healing my mom- not how we thought it would happen, in a way that would bring Him the most glory.
It was such a blessed experience, to walk on both sides of the story. Alongside my sweet, generous friend through her testing and processing what God was asking of her... and alongside my mom - wondering and waiting while experiencing more pain daily and worsening in so many ways. Much thorough testing was done and Kimberly was found to be a perfect match for my mom. What, God?! He gloriously orchestrated that! Simply awe inspiring.
Transplant day came and was full of emotion. It felt surreal. What person just up and generously offers to have a life threatening procedure done on herself to save the life of someone she barely knows?! I couldn't help but draw a parallel between her sacrifice and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus for US. A magnificent display of God's glory. There were so many people my parents (and us too along the way) were able to share their story with and so many ways lives have been changed. It is unbelievable to me how thoroughly God timed out every single detail. Even in the assessment of my mom's old liver, they found liver cancer that if not taken care of that day, would have killed her within a few months. God's hand was and is all over this story in so many ways. My mom has the great privilege of testifying to God's grace and infinite glory in the lives of people who feel helpless and hopeless. What great beauty!
I am so thankful for God's faithfulness.... and how He always moves on time. I am thankful for His unending love and the way he cares so deeply for us even in our greatest weakness. I am thankful for His greatness and am in awe of who He is.
I know I have shared this verse before, but I will share it again.... God knows. And He is so faithful.
"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.' The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." -Lamentations 3:19-26
God is so faithful.
I cannot possibly say it enough. God is SO faithful. If there is any truth I have had so deeply ingrained in my heart since my mom's diagnosis in late 2004 it is this.
We all speak to the faithfulness of God but how many of us truly believe and trust in that faithfulness when it matters most? This journey from start to where we are today has been one of the most beautiful displays of God's glory revealed in us I have ever experienced. The best part? The glory that is STILL being revealed in all of us and the story of great HOPE in a great God we get to share every day.
I'm so thankful God is in the business of restoration. Not restoring things to the way they once were, but taking what wrecks us and creating something new and beautiful that is so far above and beyond the tragic things we go through-- that when we look back we can't imagine trading that circumstance for what once was.... because where we are now is so exceedingly greater and a perfect reflection of His glory. A true testament to His grace.
There have been so many storms we have chosen to praise God through. The initial diagnosis of advanced cirrhosis of the liver, wondering if the baby in my womb would ever get to know his grandma this side of heaven. Endless hospitalizations, late night phone calls, constant prayer that an answer would come -- and selfishly, an answer that wouldn't involve seeing her become sick to the point of certain death.
Through the wind and rain, we felt so weak and sometimes helpless. We prayed and fasted for healing all the while desperately seeking God's peace in where we were. The most beautiful thing? Knowing God's presence through it all. Every update to Mom's caringbridge site and the faithful friends and family lifting us in prayer made all the difference. It sounds so cliche... but truly every prayer on her behalf was felt. There were many times when we grew weary in our petitions to God and always, just then, we would receive emails or phone calls of loving people praying for us- waging war when we were too weak to stand.
Meeting my dear friend, Kimberly, was and will always be one of the most cherished memories I have. It marks the day that God moved mightily- in her life and in ours. She barely knew my mom but felt God speaking to her heart about donating part of her liver. I vividly remember her asking me if it would be weird, since we were pretty new friends, to pursue the donation process. I smile and laugh at that now because God knew. He knew. He was already in the process of healing my mom- not how we thought it would happen, in a way that would bring Him the most glory.
It was such a blessed experience, to walk on both sides of the story. Alongside my sweet, generous friend through her testing and processing what God was asking of her... and alongside my mom - wondering and waiting while experiencing more pain daily and worsening in so many ways. Much thorough testing was done and Kimberly was found to be a perfect match for my mom. What, God?! He gloriously orchestrated that! Simply awe inspiring.
Transplant day came and was full of emotion. It felt surreal. What person just up and generously offers to have a life threatening procedure done on herself to save the life of someone she barely knows?! I couldn't help but draw a parallel between her sacrifice and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus for US. A magnificent display of God's glory. There were so many people my parents (and us too along the way) were able to share their story with and so many ways lives have been changed. It is unbelievable to me how thoroughly God timed out every single detail. Even in the assessment of my mom's old liver, they found liver cancer that if not taken care of that day, would have killed her within a few months. God's hand was and is all over this story in so many ways. My mom has the great privilege of testifying to God's grace and infinite glory in the lives of people who feel helpless and hopeless. What great beauty!
I am so thankful for God's faithfulness.... and how He always moves on time. I am thankful for His unending love and the way he cares so deeply for us even in our greatest weakness. I am thankful for His greatness and am in awe of who He is.
I know I have shared this verse before, but I will share it again.... God knows. And He is so faithful.
"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.' The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." -Lamentations 3:19-26
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