As I have read and cherished Philippians 4:6 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” I was never more aware of this then yesterday at our family thanksgiving gathering at my sister’s home. I was so thankful to be with family and to see the little ones, my sister, my brother-in-law, his parents, my brother and his family, my nieces and their families, my daughter, her husband and my grandkids. But it was also so good to see my sister and spend some time with her in her struggle with cancer. She is such an inspiration to me as she is living out Philippians 4:6. As I spent time yesterday talking and just sitting with Jane, I was so struck with the peace that she has in her Savior. She is trusting Him in all of the struggle filled journey He has asked her to walk down, as she is headed to her true home in heaven. This is the road we all walk down as children of God. God asks us all to walk such different paths, but yet all for one reason and one reason only to give Him the Glory. I am also watching my dear brother-in-law Bob as he juggles a life of caring for Jane, working, his elderly parents, his daughters, his son-in-laws, and his grandkids. But did I ever hear a discouraging word or a word of disappointment come out of his mouth, no but Praise and honor to God in this journey he has been asked by God to walk with his wife, and his Savior. I also was struck with the Jane’s family, as her daughters and son-in-laws pull together to make mom’s path a joy filled time. I truly see the love of God within this family.
As I sit here this morning at my desk finishing my sermon for Sunday. I was struck with the goodness and the love of God. We in America have so many times cheapened God’s Grace by living our lives as we see fit. Taking for granted or ignoring the life God has called us all to walk with and for Him. A life we are to walk in Him and in Him only. Why is my sister being asked to walk this path, I can not give you the full reason as I still have not figured out why mom was asked to walk the same path, or why Ray was taken so early. But I can tell you this my Savior, my God is so awesome and so wonderful, that as I walk this path He has given me, I will only walk it with Him holding His hand or if He chooses to carry me for awhile, I will always trust and love Him. The result of this path, especially for Jane right now, is the hope we have in Jesus that one day there will be no more pain, no more tears, no more struggles only joy in seeing Jesus. Jane I love you, but praise God He loves you more.
