Faith in the Real World

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NIV)

It seems like years, not weeks since we were sitting peacefully by the Rainbow River with nothing better to do than throw the toy for the dog to retrieve and watch the water drift by. Returning home was like walking along a wooded path, relaxed and happy on a Fall day that is just warm enough to be cozy and just cool enough to be invigorating before running smack dab into an invisible spider web. Suddenly, you are caught up in its sticky strings, clawing at yourself convinced that the spider is crawling in your hair. Yeah, that’s what coming back from vacation was like for us.

Our daughter-in-law, M.’s dad is dying from the brain tumor that has plagued him for several years. He fought valiantly, enduring experimental treatments in an effort to help himself and others who will come behind him. He continued to work until just a few months ago because his family needed the health insurance and income. He finally went on disability after seizures robbed him of the ability to drive and function at work. On Monday, he was told that the battle was almost over and it was time for hospice to bring the comfort and assistance that they are so skilled at providing. M., as oldest child, came home from school to spend these remaining days with her dad. She set aside her studies because she knows that she cannot trade these moments for anything. Now is all she has. She can do the schoolwork later. This is what they feared when they moved their wedding up. All she wanted was to dance with her father and have him walk her down the aisle. Youngest son is making us proud with his support of her and her family. I do not know how he learned to be so compassionate at such a young age. Husband and I feel like there is not much we can do, but offer M. a place to stay, a listening ear, food for the family and prayers We would appreciate yours as well.

One of my best friend’s grandsons died this week. Twenty-two years old, he disappeared last weekend. Five days later, they found his body in a retention pond in a neighboring county. No one knows for sure what happened, but his mother, grandmother and many friends and family are heartbroken. Again, all I have to offer are a listening ear, food and prayer.

Add to that some tests and a diagnosis that I can’t write about here because it is someone else’s story and four dogs with kennel cough.

Cory got it first, probably having picked it up at dog school. The vaccine for kennel cough which all our dogs have had is for the common strains. My uncommon dog found an uncommon strain and got so sick so fast that I rushed her to the Vet Emergency Clinic last Friday night. After spending a week’s pay on x-rays and blood work, the vet scratched her head and took a stab in the dark prescribing medicine for kennel cough. It is highly contagious and despite our best efforts to keep her isolated, one by one, the other dogs have succumbed including Summer who is staying with us temporarily. Twice a day, I ram pills down their mucus filled throats and all night long we listen to hacking. It sounds like we are in a nursery full of croupy babies.

What else can I say about the sinkhole we find ourselves in? Slipping deeper and deeper into disease and death? This week, a friend shared with me an article written by Nate Pyle called “Confronting the Lie That God Won’t Give You More Than You Can Handle.” It talks about how that phrase is not scriptural, but somehow made its way into Christian culture. He says that in fact, God does allow us to have more than we can handle because it drives us to Him. There is no place else that we can go.

He concludes, “Don’t hear me saying I am rejoicing because of the last couple of weeks. I am not. Not once have I danced around our house shouting, “Yeah suffering!” Instead, in the midst of pain and hurt, I am actively expecting God to do something. I don’t know what. I don’t know when. But I am expecting the God of resurrection to heal us. I am expecting God to restore us. I am expecting him to redeem this situation. I am expecting him to do this and so I will be actively looking and waiting for him to do something. I believe expectant waiting can only happen when we exchange our feeble platitudes for an authentic faith that engages God with the full brunt of our emotion and pain. Only then can salvation been seen.”

That’s what I am doing. Waiting. Praying. Comforting whenever and however I can. And expecting God to work. That’s faith in the real world.

For the rest of Nate’s article, go here.

http://natepyle.com/confronting-the-lie-god-wont-give-you-more-than-you-can-handle/#

Comments

Sayre says

October 22, 2013 at 1:03 pm

I read that article and found it interesting. My take is that God doesn't give us anything – He wouldn't visit such suffering on us. Suffering happens. His promise is to be there beside us as it happens, a force to be leaned on but He's not in the fix-it business. Two are stronger than one and He is there beside us to help us be stronger.

Also, I have realized that there is healing as Man perceives it and healing as God perceives it. When someone dies, they are healed in God's way. Then He stands beside the bereaved to help them be strong in their loss.

I'm sorry for all the troubles, but as you know, you are not alone. Prayers of comfort and strength for M and all those who surround her.

Island Rider says

October 22, 2013 at 1:17 pm

Thanks for your prayers. M.'s dad died yesterday and they are grieving their loss.

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