Leap of Faith

My Mom loves Harrison Ford. I remember watching the first 3 movies as a family. I never got around to that latest one that came out this summer but I clearly remember The Last Crusade. There is this one part in the end of that movie when Indy has to cross a ravine as his last "challenge" to get to the Holy Grail. He looks across the edge of the cliff to the other side and sees nothing but a vast empty space. Almost a bottomless pit that could lead to his death. He looks back to his guidebook and finally calms down as he realizes what really lies ahead. He even says, "It's a leap of faith!" Literally he has to "step" into thin air and trust there is solid ground so that he can get across. And of course there is, as soon as he places his foot down, into what looks like nothing, a bridge appears and he is able to run across to the other side. If you haven't seen it-you can see it here.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-c8_OFwZoY



This week already feels like we are stepping out in faith to get to the other side of the journey. As of yesterday, my grandmother finally decided to go home. I think the pressure of the situation and her age have finally taken it's toll. Sadly, I think her age is going to be more of an issue later. There are some classic warning signs that are starting to appear and I feel like we need to keep a close eye on her in the next few months.

So Mimi left on Sunday and that leaves my Mom alone during the days while Dad is at work. She is somewhat okay to be alone but still faces obstacles and challenges all day. Little things like going to the bathroom, putting her clothes on after, fixing a meal, etc.. Things that require assistance not full reliance but help. Her therapist and friends will stop by when they can but she still will be by herself for a majority of the day until Dad gets home from work.

After hearing the news last night about Mimi leaving, I think I had my Indy moment. I stood frozen on the edge of the cliff scared to move, scared to "stretch out my hand," helpless, alone, terrified of what lies ahead for us. I worried about Mom being alone and then worried about Mimi going back home to be alone.

I couldn't relax and all I saw was the vast empty space between me and the other side. My brow started to sweat and my years of experience as a great archeologist were offering me no consolation. Okay so maybe I am not an archeologist per se but bear with me for the metaphor...Finally Blake brought out our guidebook and I was able to calm down.

We read from Mark. The verse dealt with someone dealing with unbelief and lack of faith in regards to the healing of their son. The honesty and absolute cry for faith struck a cord with me.

Mark 9:23-24 (New International Version)

23" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

24Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

A simple prayer can make the bridge appear. I may not see quite where that bridge leads but it makes that first step a lot easier when you know that someone hears your cry. When that someone is your Messiah, Savior and Friend.

Pray for my Mom this week as she battles this journey alone, pray for me as I struggle with my unbelief and faith, and pray for my Mimi as she enters into another journey in her own life. "It's a leap of faith!"

Rise, Let Us Go!

Mom had a bad day on Tuesday. She just wanted to sit and cry and be alone. She was in pain and frustrated from her circumstances. I think seeing the long road ahead once again got her down. I hate these moments when I hear her hurting and know I am too far away to help. That all I can do is listen to her weeping on the phone and know that I can only provide my words as comfort. Sometimes we don't want or need words, we just want comfort. And even in the case with Mom, she just wanted to be alone. Something she hasn't been able to have since the accident, mainly due to her reliance on others for her basic needs.

In the same way, sometimes I have bad days with Jesus. I have knowingly sinned or disappointed Him with my actions. I have "fallen asleep" on the job so to speak. Luckily, we have the disciples to empathize with or hopefully learn from. In Christ's greatest hour of need, right before his betrayal, he went to pray. He asked his friends to pray with Him and what did they do...they fell asleep!

I think in my "younger" days as a new Christian I read this thinking, I would never fall asleep on Jesus. Yet now I see more and more in my every day life that I am constantly "falling asleep" on Jesus and having some "bad days." The beauty is that He says to them, "Rise, let us go!" He awakes them, does not chastise them but moves steadily towards the next phase in the journey.

So for my own spiritual life, Jesus says to me, "Emily, rise, let us go on and move from this place of despair, sin and depression." For my Mom Jesus also says, "Rise, let us go to the next day of healing!"

He does not allow us to wallow in our misery nor does he want us to-we have jobs to do...let us go!

Matthew 26:45-46a (New International Version)

45Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Rise, let us go!

Mom felt much better on Wednesday! I did too!

Stretch Out Your Hand

I love that everyday I can read God's word and something new jumps out at me. That no matter how many times I may have read the same verse I see something different or relate to the passage with a new perspective. I have been reading Utmost for His Highest lately and Oswald Chambers was speaking about spiritual initiative. That we need to take that first step towards growing with God and he will reward us and restore us. The parable he used was from Matthew 12. It spoke directly to me and I think you'll see why.

Matthew 12:9-13 (New International Version)

9Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10and a man with a shriveled hand was there....

13Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.

Chambers makes the point that just as the man with the withered hand-all we need to do is stretch out towards Jesus and he will "completely" restore us. The way it hits home in my own life of course is wonderful. My Mom had to have surgery to "stretch out her hand" but the promise of complete restoration is still available to us. In the same way I have had to learn to "stretch out my hand" in my own spiritual journey so that I could be available to Jesus as he healed me and my own life with complete restoration.

I am humbled at reading this passage. Simply because I feel like it was written specifically for me and my family but also because it only requires one simple step towards Christ to begin healing. He doesn't ask the man to stretch out his hand, jump up and down, pray 15 times a day, or anything else. No he just asked him to, quite frankly, obey. "Stretch out your hand."

It sounds so simple but to a man with a withered hand that could never do that before it was probably quite scary and tasking. Yet Jesus was there to offer his healing power in order for him to be able to stretch out his hand. The man didn't have to have any amazing feats of strength, no he simply had to TRUST.

I must trust and obey so that I may experience complete restoration.

Beloved

So this may be one of the more racier photos of my parents! This was one Christmas morning and you have to ignore my Mom's perm because I am sure we are living in the heart of the 1980's. Besides the perm, this photo exemplifies what I see every weekend when I go home...LOVE! My parents love each other. They have been married for 41 years and I don't think their love has died down a single day during this time.

I thought it only fitting to share a little bit about their love for each other on Valentine's weekend. Here are some things I know about my parents just by observation. They aren't afraid to show affection for each other with little kisses, hugs, hand holding or looks across the room. They are always laughing with one another. They compliment each other on a regular basis and say I love you daily. They pray together every night and have a quiet time together on a regular basis. And tomorrow night Dad made reservations at Mom's favorite place-Starbucks! The Starbucks in Conyers is switching to an actual service style restaurant for Valentine's day and Dad is taking her there.

One of the most romantic things I know is that Mom puts love notes in my Dad's lunch. She did this for me and my sister too. She would write a little note that said she was proud of us or she loved us and drop in a few peppermints too. This is something we are looking forward too when her right hand gets better. Dad loves Mom's handwriting and constantly talks about how beautiful it is. Now that she has her cast off she can begin to start writing again. My Poppie turned 90 yesterday and she was able to sign her name on his card for the first time since the accident.

Its all these little things that are a living example of the love God has for us. In Song of Solomon we get to spy on a couple very much in love. They are wooing each other and romancing each other to draw into a more intimate relationship together. It is still a picture of what God desires of us. To be so connected to us and he is so interested in our lives that he wants to know all about us. How lucky I am to see this lived out in my parent's relationship.

Song of Solomon 6:3 (New King James Version)

3 I am my beloved’s,
And my beloved is mine.

This verse paints a picture of Mom and Dad but also of God and his children. How lucky I am to have a Savior who desires the same thing for me and my relationship with him.

Thank You

Thank you all for your prayers yesterday. Mom's surgery went well. I was able to talk to her around 3:30 or so as she was coming out of recovery. She no longer has a cast on her right arm and will wear a bandage over the wound for a week or so and then we can move to a band aid! They made a splint for her to wear at night for her fingers so that they remain stretched out as she sleeps.

Just one of the many milestones in our journey to healing. It's amazing to see that God's promises are being lived out daily in my life and my parents life and even in your lives as you journey with us.

Psalm 30:2 (New International Version)

2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help
and you healed me.

Continue to pray for her this week as she recovers from the surgery. I am sure she will be in pain. She will begin working with a hand therapist to regain control and movement in that arm. The sooner that arm heals the faster she can return to caring for herself and finally feeling somewhat normal!

From my Dad!

My Dad wanted me to post something on his behalf. Before I post, I need to correct what I wrote below. Mom's surgery is actually WEDNESDAY, February 11th. Please keep her in your prayers. She will have her surgery at 1pm in Athens at her Orthopedics's office.

They will remove the pins in her wrist and stretch out her fingers so that she can begin working on the right hand/arm movement. Which is a nice segue for what Dad wanted me to post. While my Mom's hand is being operated on and "stretched out" we are grateful for the way others have "stretched out" their own hands to us.

From my Dad:
In my quiet time I read a quote by Charles Spurgeon where he said, "In shunning a trial you are seeking to avoid a blessing." So I embraced the trial and have experienced the blessing--The love of the body of Christ. The most tangible proof of an invisible God is when the body of Christ raises up and ministers one to another. I have experienced from my church (First Baptist Covington), my former church (FBC Atlanta), friends, family, Co-workers and numerous prayers being lifted on our account.

Phillip Yancy in his little book When Life Hurts said, "The best answers to the questions raised when life hurts are found in Christ's body, the church. By ministering to those who suffer, we let God's comfort overflow through us. In doing so, we let the world know what God is really like."

John 13:34-35 (New International Version)

34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

-Michael Adams

Update on Mom's Right Arm

Hey guys
Quick update on my Mom's visit with the Orthopedic surgeon yesterday. She is scheduled to have surgery next Thursday, February 12th. They are going to put her under because they will remove the pins from her wrist and also stretch out her fingers. They have sort of curled down some due to the position of the cast and the scar tissue. So in order to not cause any additional pain she is going to be asleep while they push those fingers out. Then she will have a follow up visit on February 17th and of course start O.T. for that hand/wrist as well.

Here we are 2 months later and already seeing progress!

Pray for safety as Blake and I travel home this weekend. Thanks for all your prayers. I can't say that enough.

Pain

I have been thinking a lot about Pain lately. Why we have to experience it. Why our life is filled with it. Why God even allows it. Why it is good and bad.

Webster defines Pain as the following: 1. punishment 2a: usu. localized physical suffering associated with bodily disorder (as a disease or an injury) ; also : a basic bodily sensation induced by a noxious stimulus, received by naked nerve endings, characterized by physical discomfort (as pricking, throbbing, or aching), and typically leading to evasive action b:acute mental or emotional distress or suffering : grief

Pain is referred to as physical suffering and grief. Ouch! I dislike both of those images. Physically hurting or emotionally hurting.

Mom is currently experiencing Pain in her left arm. Yet despite the suffering, I am elated that she is experiencing anything at all in that arm. Pain can only mean that her arm and the nerves are waking back up. The numbness is slowly fading away and she is feeling the Pain and sensation which hopefully means movement sooner than later.

We are studying the book of John in my Bible Study group. John wants to stress the point that Jesus was both fully man/flesh and God. It's a hard concept yet we see it everywhere in the gospel. In John 4:6, the story of the woman at the well, he was tired and exhausted from his journey and sat down to ask for a drink. He experienced the pain of being exhausted. In John 19, We see Jesus physically beaten, flogged, slapped, and crucified. It is a horrible image, yet we see that He suffered physical pain. Pain beyond what we can imagine. And yet despite the suffering, we are saved. The Pain brought us our salvation. Once again an odd and beautiful image of Christ's suffering bringing me salvation.

Yet Pain can sometimes be emotional. I am saddened today. One of my best friend's friend just got engaged during the holidays. I know her only through my best friend. She is a beautiful fun-loving girl. She was planning her destination wedding in St. Lucia and was starting to make her plans. Monday her fiance suffered a brain aneurysm and passed away last night. I never met him but he was younger than me and their life had not even begun.

I cannot even begin to know what she is feeling today or his family. The Pain must be excruciating. This is the kind of Pain that doesn't make sense. That is wrought with confusion. I lay in bed last night trying to figure it out in my head. I never came up with an answer. I do know however, that God knows the Pain of heartbreak. He allowed His One and Only Son to die on the cross for me. His only Son! I can't stress that enough how incredible that is.

Oswald Chambers wrote in his book His Utmost for My Highest "If God can accomplish His purposes in this world through a broken heart, then why not thank Him for breaking yours?" What a hard task to thank Him for breaking your heart.

Peter speaks of this as well:
1 Peter 4:12-13 (New International Version)

Suffering for Being a Christian
12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

His glory will be revealed in Pain!