I was just rereading a blog entry from my friend Rudy Carrasco dating back to 5 years and two weeks ago, when his son Sam was diagnosed with Leukemia. I picked him up in front of Kaiser Permanente, got some pizza and prayed with him. Now, I am in the hospital with my 8 month old son, who has an illness that has yet to be determined. My friend is now posting my prayer request and situation on his blog, along with others. We are posting updates on the Facebook and Caringbridge wesbites. I have been mulling over in my mind and heart, this question: Lord, what do you want me to take away from this time? I'm sure that it has to do with a hardening of my heart, the need to lay it all at the throne of Jesus and trust that He will take care of it all. I am spent, tired, sad, etc. I love my son and am faced with the reality that I can do nothing for him except pray and give it over to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is even more difficult, when the doctors cannot give me an idea of what is wrong with him. I have heard the possibilty of a stomach virus, Cystic Fibrosis, liver damage, partially collapsed lung, etc. The Lord has healed him of TAPVR and Isaiah is recovering well from that. Now here we are again and I ask Him, to do what cannot and has not been done by anyone else - heal my son and give him rest and peace! Please..."Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." Ephesians 6:10-20 It's funny how you remember these foundational truths after all this time has passed, my hope is that the reason is because I have hidden these things in my heart and that I have meditated on day and night often over the last quarter of a century! "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:6-9 So here I sit in this quiet and solitary place, sure of the one who saved me, will do His will in our lives and it will truly be what is best for all of us: Joy, Isabel, Isaiah and myself! Peace and blessings to you!
