Worth it all

Can I brag on God a little bit?

Tragedy is never welcome, but if we trust in God, He can use it to bring things to the surface that turn into great blessings.

Our Anna, 5th child and 4th daughter, recently developed epileptic seizures. They began with massive migraines, then progressed to bouts of falling down and blacking out for periods of time. She was scared and confused.

She has been rooming in a condo not more than 3 miles from us with her older brother and sister. Her seizures have made it impossible for her to work, drive and carry on life without someone to assist her and watch her.

Her older brother and sister stepped in to help. Grace quit her job so she could watch Anna, take her to appointments, etc. David does not require anything of his sisters, and is perfectly fine taking care of both of them through this situation.

Daddy and I spent a few hours at their house yesterday. We brought the 4 youngest little girls with us. They were offered toys and refreshments while we sat around and listened to the latest musical endeavors of Grace and David--recordings and songs they've written together. Anna lounged comfortably, singing and looking relaxed and loved. Since it was Saturday and David was home, they had all been for a walk and were planning some other things together that day.

I was sitting there taking it all in, while another little person squirmed in my belly, just a few short weeks from making her entrance into the world. This past week I have been struggling with the usual; heartburn, restless leg syndrome, insomnia, etc., just as I had with all three of these. And I thought about all of the years, of the illnesses and correction and angst about how they would grow up and if they would follow God.

I looked over at Daddy and our eyes met--we were both beaming with joy.

How great our God is that He should have blessed us so much! We are undeserving, not always what we should be, often making mistakes. But God took all that we could give, which was worse than worthless, and has turned it into wonderful!

Anna has decided that God wanted to show her how helpless she was, and that when she is weak, He is strong. So there is a confidence and peace about her that radiates. On a recent visit to our local clinic where she has been seen, all of the staff remarked at how they all love her, how beautiful she is, etc. The love of God exudes from her--how precious!

As our children grow and leave, we are seeing them change--they make mistakes and work through their own insecurities and selfishness. But more and more we see a great transformation--they are making God their own, living for Him in the context of their own lives.

It is a marvelous thing to behold, and a privilege to have taken part.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28