******
We all have a certain plan about how our lives are going to proceed. Even those that hate planning ahead there is a certain amount of planning that everyone does.
What do I mean?
Even if you are not a planner and you accidentally get pregnant your life, from there on out, is kind of mapped out: when you will have your baby, give or take a day or two. You also now know when your child will head off to their first day of school and when they will get their drivers license. You have an approximate time in your mind of when your own child will get married and one day you will be a grandparent.
Plans.
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
******
A Sick Heart.
We all know how quickly a heart attack or stroke can change the lives of those that we love and adore. In a heart beat someone can be gone or unable to communicate through various consequences of damage.
I am part of a group of people that have the same type of cancer as my sister. Through that I have learned something about those with cancer and how they look at their lives. You see, my sister in the year 2008BC (before cancer) was going on youth group trips, working part-time, enjoying baking and hanging out with her kids, hosting parties with those that she loves and being a part of the world.
Amy loves to entertain.
Most of you know that my sister's cancer is on her heart. An unlikely abnormal place to get it, even for the type of cancer that she has...but I tell her "you would get it somewhere weird..."
Oddly enough, her cancer healed a lot of things in her life. Yes, the thing that could end up taking her cured her as well. I will not go into details about her life but I am telling you the truth. It healed her marriage. It healed relationships because through it we were all able to get through the garbage of life that pulls us down to see clearly.
We learned that there is just no time for it.
My nephew graduates from high school in just a few short weeks and my niece will be turning 13 soon too! By the grace of God my sister has been able to be here for the past two years and we are so very thankful!
Yes, most of her time is on the couch, but it's TIME!
Today she talks to the doctor and finds out how her scans went yesterday. To make it a little harder my uncle passed away this week, his body riddled with cancer. With all things I must put it into perspective: my uncle was in his 70s and has smoked and drank his whole life, in excess. He had quadruple bypass surgery a few years ago.
His body was tired.
He is a place of no more suffering.
******
A Broken Heart.
During difficult times it is hard to not completely turn against God. Why does HE want to take my sister home so soon?
What I realized through this is that Earth is just temporary...and honestly if I had a chance to go to Heaven and have no more pain and suffering...I might sign up! Of course, as a parent, we all want to make sure our children are raised completely and totally and I know that is a heavy weight on my sister's heart.
It does break her heart.
But God made her a beautiful heart.
AND God has healed her beautiful heart.
Even through her cancer.
And when God calls her home then I know that Heaven will be blessed. I also know that I will see her again.
In due time.
For a parent who's child is suffering from a disease, addiction, or physical and emotional set backs...this too can cause a broken heart.
A parent who looses their child...their heart is broken and shattered. A broken heart beyond my own comprehension.
Completely broken.
The parent can only hold onto the fragments that are remaining; the family and friends that they love and love them, and hold on tight. I pray that for those that suffer in this way that some how I can be there to help them hold on.
I think about that kind of loss and know that having God in my life and faith in Heaven, that is the only way I would be able to get through it.
Faith, family and friends.
Jeremiah 24:7
I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.
******
Life is not easy.
The pain and suffering of this world are heart wrenching. God gave us life and the enjoyment of every day we are blessed with. Sometimes that time is filled with grieving of a loved one that has gone home. Other days we are stuck on the couch dealing with cancer or having heart issues.
All of the above things can lead to anger, depression and a life time of disappointment if we stray from God's truth.
Every day that we are here, we have to remember that Heaven is an awesome place with no pain and no suffering. That every day that we are here is to serve others and offer a spirit of love.
To thank God for another sunrise, even through our pain and suffering.
There is HOPE.
Always.
So long as we can keep in perspective who has our heart? Who gave us our heart? Who knows our heart?
We, as Christians show that love through our words, thoughts, prayers and most of all...our actions.
Love heals the heart.
*****
How is YOUR heart?
Have you 
someone who needs it?
someone who needs it?
1 comment:
I love your writings. This hit home on many levels. I love Amy and she has a beautiful heart. She has been there for me many times, especially the last few months. But I want to remind you that you also have a beautiful heart and I'm lucky to have you in my life. Love ya girl!!!
Post a Comment