We are in the Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital with many of the family members at the recommendation of Emily’s doctors. You know that means Emily’s time with us is very limited – that is of course unless the Lord chooses to intervene with a major miracle. We are preparing for the likelihood that the Lord will be calling her home soon and are working through the many mixed emotions that come with saying goodbye. The Lord is sovereign and we totally trust in Him regardless of whether we understand His ways.
Emily has fought a long hard battle that isn’t over yet.
“Tears are God’s way of releasing the pressures of the heart.” Pastor Freeman stopped in today to check on the family and shared those words with us as he brought with him an excitement for the Lord that was contagious and uplifting.
There is another amazing young woman that I am thinking about today as well. On Saturday, we will be celebrating Jackie and Will’s wedding. Jackie has proven to have incredible character through all of the storms of this past week. Not only has Emily taken a very bad turn, but Jackie’s Matron of Honor was in Virginia with her family last weekend for a different wedding when her father had some serious seizures and was hospitalized – placed in ICU. The seizures were so serious that he had lost his speech and it took several days to regain it. Thankfully he has improved and it looks like they will be coming home soon, and we are very grateful for that.
Most brides, faced with all that is going on, would be a wreck! But Jackie has shown such faith and maturity through these eventw that I cannot help but be blessed and very proud of her. Many people have wondered if Dawn and I are concerned that she is getting married so young, but we realize how mature she is and are confident that God has some great things in store for the two of them as they travel this life together. Will there be tears and struggles along the way? Of course. But as they grow in Christ, they will most definitely grow closer to one another. I wonder if Will realizes that he is getting such a strong, confident, faithful young lady? My guess is that he does.
My favorite verse comes from Proverbs 3, beginning in verse 5: “Trust in the Lord with all your and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”
Through it all, our trust is in the Lord.
Your post brought tears to my eyes. You are facing a time of sadness (a possibility that Emily's time draws near) and looking towards a time of joy (Jackie and Will's wedding day). If it is Emily's time, I hope that you will be able to see that as a time of sadness as well as a time of joy. It is a time of joy because Emily will be with her Lord and feel no more pain.
ReplyDeleteAmen! We are prepared for the celebration of Em's "healing" even though it will be laced with the sadness that missing her will bring. Thank you for your continued prayers and support through all that Emily has been through - please know that it has been both a blessing and an encouragement.
ReplyDeleteWe are determined to thoroughly enjoy Jackie and Will's fantastic ceremony and even came to the realization that this may be the Lord's way of allowing her to be there for the wedding.
Dear Greg,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to comment about people saying that Jackie is too young, well we were also very young when we got married, 17 when we started dating and 19 when we finally became one and here we are after 40 years still in love. Life and marriage is not easy we had to work on our relationship all the time but we both love and respected each other. On November 7, 1970 we made a commitment before God, family and friends that we would keep our covenant with each other. Jackie and Will are so in love and they seem very sincere and I do believe that as long as we all keep God as a central part of our lives that things are much easier and wonderful! Congratulations on the union of your amazing baby and her love! Love ya! Aunt Shelly