Anniversary Daze

Tomorrow marks the 10^th anniversary of a journey of love and commitment for our sons and their beautiful families.  In five short years we celebrated four weddings.  In a two week span, from May 22^nd to June 5^th, all four sons celebrate with their wives the day they were united before God to begin their journeys together.

As this time of year approaches I find myself taking a step back, reflecting on all the excitement, the joy, the chaos at times of these special family events and all that has resulted in these unions; the grandchildren, the expanded family that some may call inlaws, the shared friendships, the vacations!! (Hey, if they're going to live so far away, it's a bonus that it has been in some great vacation spots (Utah, Texas, Indiana, Georgia, Hawaii)!!  We are so blessed.  In Roger’s Wednesday Bible Study from II Samuel on the reign of David, I could say with the King of Israel in II Samuel 7:18:

           “Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?”

The boys have faced their challenges, are facing them still, just like Rog and I have in our 34 years.  In fact, this year both Seth and Rebecca, and Aaron and Martha spent their anniversaries in the hospital with their precious children.  But when every day is a celebration of life and love and commitment, what’s an anniversary?  They each relish the moments they have to remember and enjoy their special days in their own unique ways.  I don’t always let them know how proud I am, how wonderful they are, how blessed I feel, but my heart swells to see them growing together in their love for each other, their families, and the Savior they all serve.  It is a joy I do not take for granted.  As these two weeks come and go, in often the same daze as then, I look back and laugh and cry and enjoy it all over again as only a doting mom can.  And I try to remember to at least acknowledge the day in some way or wish them a Happy Anniversary (they know their mother!)!

When so many long for a love that’s real and lasting, our house is full to overflowing, and I praise God.  Each individual family is now its own unit and unique.  We will fail each other from time to time, but it will make us stronger.  The closeness is intentional, it doesn’t just happen.  It’s about helping each other, praying for each other, talking to each other (some families don’t even do this!), hurting together, forgiving each other, working and serving together, supporting each other, laughing and crying together even thousands of miles apart…It’s a daze I have no desire to recover from!  

 

         HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY WONDERFUL SONS
                    AND THEIR BEAUTIFUL WIVES
                              Aaron & Martha - May 22 - 9 years
                                            Seth & Rebecca - May 24 - 5 years
                                      Daniel & Stephanie - May 31st - 10 Years
                                       Joshua & Christina - June 5th - 9 years

 

 

 

Ephraim's Nurse

I sat in church Sunday evening listening to my son, Daniel, preach.  He was speaking on the providence of God, and everything in me was straining to listen and grab hold in faith of this great Truth.  As the message from the book of Esther developed, I prayed silently the familiar words of scripture, “…for such a time as this.” We had received news that morning that the dialysis that had been so desperately avoided for our grandson was now inevitable.  Ephraim’s kidney was failing and without it, he would not make it to transplant.

God had so graciously sustained his little kidney so far.  Transplant was right around the corner; the first stage of testing already scheduled.  He would soon be four years old when they said he shouldn’t have lived.  So why dialysis now when it could be so detrimental to transplant readiness in the long run? I believe God is Sovereign, and that He is in control even in dark days, even when His children are in disobedience, just as Dan was sharing.  The timing of the message itself was providential.  I needed this reminder that my faithful and loving God was without a doubt still in control.  While my heart silently cried and prayed, God silently worked. 

 

In the book of Esther, God’s name is not mentioned but His silent work is undeniably evidenced.  And so we would see it be so with Ephraim.  The next day while Rebecca was with Ephraim, undergoing that first round of dialysis, our son Seth called to tell us about what he described as “an awesome God moment”.  I listened intently, curious but   grateful to hear the encouragement and excitement in his voice as he shared about Ephraim’s nurse.

On that same Sunday morning that I wrestled with the providence of God, another woman wrestled with God about going to church, knowing she should be worshipping and serving Him again.  Once the decision was made, the question remained as to where to attend.  She realized a church was meeting right across the street from her house in a school, and decided to try it.  At some point during the service, a blog was read by a young woman named Rebecca with a son named Ephraim that would soon be facing dialysis while waiting for a kidney transplant if God did not intervene.  Her ears perked up.  She was a dialysis nurse.  As the church brought this family before God, she joined in prayer for them even without knowing them.  What she did know was the ordeal dialysis could be.  The next morning when she arrived at work and was handed her chart, she was surprised to find that she had been assigned to none other than the little boy that she had prayed for.  When she met Rebecca, she pulled her aside and began to share this “no accident” incident.  Nurse Andrea would be right by Ephraim’s side for the duration. 

“Momma, God is still using Ephraim.  I know we didn’t want the dialysis to happen, but God did!” Seth explained.  “It’s going to be ok.” 

What had been so clouded was now profoundly clear!  God was right there, silently working in providence His sovereign will.  God was right there, in that room, holding Ephraim’s hand through a caring, providentially chosen, nurse.  He chose her for Ephraim, and Ephraim’s situation at this time was for her. 

I know I often underestimate God’s providence, but it is real and it is powerful.  In His sovereignty He is silently at work in the details of our lives. 

 

Just ask Ephraim’s nurse.