Two Contrasts

KYAC: Thanks to my niece, there is a new acronym in the family vocabulary. She is referring to the treatment her dad, my brother, is receiving to beat this aggressive cancer back into remission. KYAC stands for Kick Your A** Chemo and is warning the cancer cells that they are going to die, die, die. And we are believing that this is exactly what is happening. The effects have been very difficult on my brother especially since this treatment started within 11 days of having 2 brain surgeries. My brother is a strong man and is a fighter. But it is God who is His defender and Healer. I'm praying God will touch his (Fred) life with healing in the spirit and in the physical.

"Himher": Another new word in our family's vocabulary. While we are praying for cells to stop dividing and start dying in Fred's situation, we are praying for healthy cell division to occur in perfect timing for "Himher". That is because this is my first grandbaby's nickname until he/she is born.

Hearing the news of "Himher" is a sweet reminder that God is always moving life forward. We are being created, being refined, being restored, being prepared, being strengthened, being...
always with His hand upon us.

So I've said the one name I don't want my g'babies to call me is Granny. There are a few other names I'd probably not particularly welcome either. But let's face it. Whatever this sweet baby calls me will be grand with me:). We might need to negotiate a little though because the first g'baby gets to establish the name all of the others will call me too. Already there is pressure on being the oldest child.

One life fighting to beat cancer cells then needing to grow healthy cells to thrive. One life creating new cell divisions to grow and thrive. Two different lives in contrast to one another yet both moving forward to live "life abundantly" as He has promised.

I love you, Fred. I love you Himher. I love the One who holds both of you in His hands.

What next, Feddie Boy?

My oldest brother is 11 years older than me and that alone is enough to set him up as a hero figure in a little sister's eyes. And apparently whatever he asked me to do, I'd do it then ask him "What next, Feddie boy?" There is a family movie at a motel with a swimming pool (what a treat that was!) that even had a slide!!! The picture is grainy and the sound muffled but you can actually hear me ask him that question.

This morning as he is being brought out of a medically induced coma following two brain surgeries yesterday, he is still my hero. But instead of asking him 'what's next', I'd like to show him what's been happening and what is next. I want him to see and hear the prayers that have stormed the heavens on his behalf. I want him to know the One who has heard these prayers and has from His love and mercy been answering those prayers. I want my hero to have a Hero and for him to ask God ''what's next?" .

I'm believing in miracles and I'm asking for changed lives - all for His glory.

Love Beyond the Circumstances

Many times as I lay in bed I begin to thank God for the many blessings in my life. The bed feels so comfortable, I'm not hungry, I have enough covers to be warm or a fan to be cool, my husband is beside me, my family is healthy, Kirby (the dog) is snoring, I love God and feel His love for me so strongly.
One night as I had these soothing thoughts flowing through my mind, I suddenly had the vision of a small dark skinned girl whose belly was swollen as she lay on the cold ground with only a light cover and realized God loves her just as much as He loves me. It made me realize that I had associated comfort with being loved. What a lie that is! This little girl, a daughter of the King, knew His love and loved Him in return in the midst of some pretty hard circumstances.
"So, God," I asked, "why have you blessed me with so much while she lies there hungry and cold? You love us both enough to give Your life for us. I'm not sure what to do with what You are showing me."
I'm still working out the answer. For one thing, I had to own up to the realization that I still had an unclear view of His love. I was unaware of how much I still associated comfortable circumstances with His love. Oh, I know He loves me even through the hardest of trials. In fact, I feel His love and strength more then because those very trials cause me to press into Him more. But in the physical comfort sense, I felt so blessed - loved - because I didn't struggle there. I would never have thought that my little dark skinned friend was not loved by God just because she was hungry, sick or cold.
This love, God's love, is not a love to be experienced only in the physical. It is a love that connects our soul and spirit with the Living and Loving God. "Man does not live by bread alone." I AM hungry. I am hungry for more of God. Not for more comfort, for more knowledge, for more resources, for more friends though I'll receive all of these things if He gives them to me. But I'm beginning to see that my new friend and I have a need in common that He desires to give us equally - His love.
I think I will remember my new friend, maybe give her a name. I will ask God to pour His love into us, that it would overflow onto others and that they would hunger for more. I hope I meet her someday, at least in heaven. Such an odd way to be talking about someone I know nothing about yet believe God has connected us for a reason. We'll see what that is someday.
God's love is indescribable.