I have been bringing in the blog print offs for the last couple of days for Julia and today I decided to take it a step further and go through her Yahoo mail (which she hasn't seen in ages) and printed off about 25 messages. We had kept saying, oh, she'll see those when she gets back, but we keep saying that, so I finally decide to make use of all the scrap paper I have and went on a printing mission. It gave me something to focus on. I'm glad I did, since it was a nice surprise and it made her smile.
We had a good couple of discussions talking about what has been happening in the last week, and the last month. We are struck again how much life is a gift. If you haven't hugged a friend this day, told a love one you love them, or spoken a kind word to a stranger, then another precious day has passed by with missed opportunities.
Julia was reading a few emails from family and we got to talking about how her cousin Marisa was doing. We had been following that, but have missed a few in the last couple of week. I'll have to print off some their latest entries for Julia tomorrow. Marisa is fighting cancer and is on a bumpy journey as well. We know many people are praying her (many of the same people as for Julia) but more are definately welcome. Here is where you can find their journey: http://marisavanderveen.wordpress.com/
We again are struck by how we are lead to certain passages. Tonight it was from Phil. 4:
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Tonight we did feel His peace, in spite of it all. I don't mean to say that events in the last couple of days haven't been frustrating, nor that we won't be upset and frustrated again (most likely tomorrow or tonight for Julia if they can't get that new IV line in), but that for some reason (the whole transcending understanding bit) we felt at peace. I should still be fuming mad right now, but I just can't be. It is a wonderful passage that applies to every day. We can so easily be anxious about anything, big or small, from life threating illnesses to forgetting the hospital parking pass, but in all things, through prayer with thanksgiving, God promises His peace.
2 comments:
To dear Julia,Matt & Marika
I thought that we were supposed to be holding all of you up!!!After reading your many updates, but especially the last one, and feeling your love for God and each other - your faithfullness,devotion & joy in so challenging a situation, you have lifted my soul.
Do hope that today will bring you some of the answers you are both waiting for.
Peter & I will continue to hold you up in prayer.
Love in Christ - Val Jones.
To borrow what Valerie said--to dear Julia, Matt and Marika,
I just updated myself again on your blog, and well, thanks for making me cry Matt. :) In all that you are dealing with, you still write about, think about and pray for me! Needless to say, you have also been in our thoughts and prayers. My small group from church that I belong to (it's a quilting group) prays for you guys every week and I keep them updated on how you are doing. So, all the way down here in the Niagara Region, people are praying for you. The power of prayer is amazing. So is the Bible. I totally get what you are saying about life and the gift that it is. Before my journey began, I just went on living life because I thought my life would go on till I was old and gray and retired. Boy how that can change eh? BUT, God is gracious to us even in the midst of trials, frustrations and set backs. I'm so proud of you guys for turning to God. In these kinds of life circumstances, sometimes it's easy to blame Him. We continue to bring you before God's throne. I pray for healing and I pray that you may return home soon. I also pray that cat scans won't be our friends for very much longer and that IVs become the Roman numeral 4 once again...
Peace and love,
Marisa
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