Helpless, but not hopeless

This has been quite a year for the Willard family. Last March 2008, Adam's mom found out she had Stage 4 ovarian cancer. She had major surgery and chemotherapy thru August. Many setbacks & complications later, she found out in September that she is in remission. A miracle! Praise God! Then in August 2008, Adam's grandmother (his mom's mom) found out she had breastcancer. She had a lumpectomy and is currently undergoing chemotherapy followed by radiation treatments. Both his Mom and Grandmom have been inspiring examples throughout their ordeals. Their cancer has just brought them all the more closer to Him!
PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13 "...I have learned to be content in all circumstances...whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Two Sundays ago, our brother-in-law (Adam's sister's husband) was baptized at Chelten Baptist Church. Something we were blessed to see happen after all these years. He said that watching Adam's mom deal with her cancer in such a positive way, giving all the praise to the Lord, was a real encouragement to him. Today I found out that our other brother-in-law (husband of Adam's younger sister) has an uncommon condition called Chiari malformation and will have surgery next week. They are currently living in California, far away from friends and family. God, we know you are working! It's so hard when you want to fix it. You want to make it better, but you can't. You can only take comfort in the fact that God has a plan and He is in control. He knows everything (SEE Psalm 139)!

Yesterday, I had to pick up my son early from school because he had an ear ache. It must have been really painful because I haven't seen him so miserable! How helpless to be a Mom watching your child writhe in pain, crying because it hurts so badly. Thankfully, we only had to wait an hour before he could see the doctor and get some relief. It's amazing how natural it is for humans to want to fix everything. But sometimes, not fixing it is fixing it. Pretty deep, right? A very wise woman once said, "When we can't be in control we can see how God protects us. Sometimes God uses "suffering" so we can see how great He is" and how much we NEED Him! So take comfort in knowing that although we can't fix everything, GOD CAN!

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverence. Perseverence must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." JAMES 1:2-4