WimsReport – July 15, 2008

Good morning, precious family and friends.  I have been struggling for the past five weeks.  I’ve felt pretty beat up by life.  There is nothing that we are going through that has been worse than Paul’s cancer, it’s just that it’s been on top of it!  We’ve put our son’s beloved dog down because he bit someone, and we’re dealing with the ramifications of that.  A family member came for a visit and brought stress and strife.  And this past chemo treatment was very difficult on Paul.  I’ve felt like I’ve been kicked repeatedly in the stomach.

Did any of what has happened catch God by surprise?  No…in fact, He has allowed each and every hardship for GOOD!  Weeks ago, I was writing in my quote book from a devotional, which said, AND WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD FOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOD.   Romans 8:28

Can we truly trust that when God says all He means ALL?  Yes, I believe He does mean ALL things work together for good.  How, when, why is not ours to figure out.  What we do during the tough stuff is of importance to God.  I’ve stumbled, mumbled, cried, felt numb…and yet, I know with ALL that is in me, that I serve a loving God that is not cruel.  He is good to ALL He has made.

As I sat this morning to read my Psalm passage for the day, this is what it said—MY SOUL IS WEARY WITH SORROW; STRENGTHEN ME ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD.  (Psalm 119:28)  The note below in my Bible references this verse and says, God’s Word…the hope of his life.  God’s Word is my anchor, my very sure foundation, the one thing I stake my life on.

Then my Old Testament reading was in Habakkuk 3.  Verses 18-19 say—YET WILL I REJOICE IN THE LORD, I WILL BE JOYFUL IN GOD MY SAVIOR.  THE SOVEREIGN LORD IS MY STRENGTH; HE MAKES MY FEET LIKE THE FEET OF A DEER, HE ENABLES ME TO GO ON THE HEIGHTS.

Right when I’ve needed it, God’s Word strengthens me.  Have I felt weak.  You bet.  Is there ONE I can lean on who will strengthen me, day by day by day?  I’m sure of it.  A few days ago I thought about the importance of not being a spiritual “wimp”.  In our culture we want the way of comfort, ease, pleasure, lightheartedness.  But life is difficult.  Storms will come to ALL of us, at one point or another.  If we’ve never learned how to turn to the Lord with our daily struggles, how on earth will we be able to handle the really tough issues?  And what will be our witness to others if we fall apart at the first sign of hardship? 

He is there for us, through the good and the hard times, with gentleness, love, guidance.  And we each must make knowing Him our highest priority.  THEN whether it’s sunny or stormy, we walk ALL our days with Him, the One who knows us, and ALL that is ahead of us, and will lead us on this journey.

ALL in the Thesaurus says—completely, totally, wholly, entirely.  May ALL of my life be a reflection of who I am in You.  Yes, Lord.

Paul had his CT scan yesterday.  We are confidently waiting to hear the results.  And assuming the chemo regimen won’t be changed, he will start his fourth of six treatments this Thursday.  We appreciate and are counting on your prayers.  Thank you for your faithfulness.

In Christ’s love,

Diana

WimsReport – July 2, 2008

Good morning, dear family and friends.  Yesterday I was in a conversation with a dear woman whose husband is battling this same cancer as Paul.  I shared with her some of the passages the Lord had given me after Paul’s surgery in March, when Paul was still in the hospital.  This morning I looked up those sections in the Bible.  One especially speaks to my heart today—

2 Chronicles 20:12   FOR WE HAVE NO POWER TO FACE THIS VAST ARMY THAT IS ATTACKING US.  WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO, BUT OUR EYES ARE UPON YOU.

That is the KEY.  Keep our eyes on the ONE we should be looking to.  There is nothing and no one who knows us like Him.  And He knows what is going on—whether it’s health issues, financial difficulties, job insecurity, marriage and/or family challenges, or personal struggles we just can’t seem to overcome.  When we keep our eyes on all other places but Him, it’s easy to get disillusioned or discouraged, or think the situation will never change.  That’s when we can find ourselves hopeless.

But there is ONE who offers HOPE—and He’s an Anchor that holds.  That doesn’t mean quick fixes, easy answers, a magic wand waved…but it does mean placing our lives, and the lives of our loved ones in His hands, praying for guidance and help.  Then we HOPE…we TRUST…and we walk this journey out, in FAITH, knowing there is ONE who is with us EACH STEP OF THE WAY.  And He loves us and cares for us like none other.

Paul finished his third of six chemo treatments on Monday.  He feels really crummy right now.  He says it’s close to the worst he’s felt yet.  He’s a few pounds lighter still, lost his sense of taste, struggling with ringing ears (a side affect of the chemo), head hurts, body aches, and just generally feels like he’s in a pit.  But HE’S NOW HALFWAY DONE!  And he was given his Neulasta shot yesterday, so by the end of the weekend he should start feeling somewhat better.

I’m so thankful that God doesn’t leave us on our own.  And I’m so grateful for all of you.  Yesterday I asked God to put us on someone’s mind to pray for us, because I was a bit weary.  My Mom called a little later and asked how we were doing and told me she’d really been praying.  That is SO like God.  A huge heartfelt THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for every whispered prayer, every kindness done on our behalf, every hug, email, blog comment, card.  

My prayer for you is an evergrowing awareness of how very much He loves you, and how much those things that matter to you and concern you matter to Him. 

Bless you, dear family and friends.

Diana