Remember

Chapter 15

A Transplant, If You Please

...It was so much fun to reach out to others and show them God's love and glory! Right away we felt like we were in the midst of a family reunion! Many people were attracted by the love shining in our children's eyes, the smiles they freely gave everyone, and by their respectable behavior. Through our children, God brought a multitude of visitors and fellowship opportunities. With excitement, we witnessed, shared testimonies, told of God's love, encouraged, and watched God open and effect hearts. We looked forward to those breakfasts which lasted two or three hours with the eating and all the fellowshipping. It was great! God was teaching us how our time is never our own, at least not if we truly desire to live and serve Him. And we do want this above all else! I wouldn't want it any other way. Our lives are God's, to be used any way He wishes. Living selfishly, only concerned about our own affairs isn't fun like it is to always be open to others, constantly ready to spread God's love and saving Words. The very fact that God was willing to use us broken vessels was a blessing of blessings! By the third day God had created a close family atmosphere. He gave others a sense of comfort with us that enabled them to open their hearts, sorrows and pain. And we received the blessings of watching first-hand how God held them as they spoke and we listened, how He comforted and gave hope through loving touches, biblical encouragement; showing His love for them and their situation, and prayer. Larry experienced an outreach ministry above this as he became an active supportive member for other families during their surgeries. God is so great! We are very thankful for this amazing time. The friendships quickly created were bonded so closely that we had several people praying over Luke and his dad and shedding tears over our family.

Another reminder God brought to our family in these days was the importance of true character. One of the hardest situations in life is treating your own family with the same respect and love that you would give to others. It's almost too easy to extend a quick helping hand to someone else who smiles and exhibits gratitude, to feel important in tending their needs, sharing their joys, or politely listen. How often do we find it a burden to speak the same kind, endearing words to our household members, to extend the servant's hands in the same joyfulness and humble attentiveness in support of our family? It is much harder. We don't receive the same gratitude. Our family knows our flaws, sins, and hypocrisies. This can be hard to forgive in itself. I am so thankful that God continues to remind us of the importance of genuine character (what you do and who you are when nobody else is around). Who we are should not differ from one circumstance to the next.

You have heard it said trials refine us. But, also, really, trials reveal us. Our character is not how we act on the outside; it's what spills out from the inside. When we Christians are squeezed in life, Jesus needs to come out and not everything else. For our children's souls, we must show God's love and glory to them in the same manner we are willing to be there for others. Our children will exemplify the inward character we really hold. We need to wash in the blood of Christ and accept the forgiveness to ourselves for the shortcomings in parenting, living, and loving, as well as forgive our family of theirs. Just as God long suffers patiently for us, we need to duplicate this toward ours. Practice seeing your family members through God's eyes and not our fleshly eyes which remember injustices. I am grateful that God will help me compare my fellowshipping with strangers to my fellowshipping with husband and children. Their souls are most important. I don't want to teach them hypocrisy. I don't want them to feel like mama enjoys strangers more than I enjoy them. Wherever I am and with whomever I'm with, I want to be consistent for God's glory.

God was so close to us during this entire process! Miles and miles from home, He was still our Teacher, our Guide, our Advisor, our Comforter, our Physician, and yes, our abundant Provider. This surgery required Luke to have very little income the month preceding the operation and the months during and after the operation. We entrusted this to God. Several times during the qualifying process we had not earned enough to meet our coming bills. Nevertheless, we patiently waited for God knowing He wouldn't forsake us, and He always provided. Yes, our gracious Father always provides when we seek Him first (Matthew chapter 6)! We persevered in remembering God's work first, always God first.

Before our bills were due, one unexpected avenue after another portrayed God's caring guardianship. A $2,000 check from one source came a month before the surgery date. Hundreds appeared in a variety of other ways, too. In Arizona, all the expenses were paid for. When we came home in October, God had put the desire to provide on our neighbors. This was completely unexpected! I love God's surprises! It feels like a great big hug! Full turkey dinners, roasts, potatoes, vegetables, and fruit set us up for several weeks. Mom, Grandma and Grandpa, and Aunt Kris, provided more grocery and meal items while Nicki and Dave and David provided gas money for visiting as well. Have you ever felt like crying under the continuous blessings being showered upon you? It was so much from God, to us!

The provisions didn't stop there. God had more power He wanted to show us. We soon learned of a letter arriving with monetary help. This family heard of the situation and God touched their hearts toward us. Through them, whom we've only met once, God bestowed $1,000. In December, Luke had begun to work part-time, but during this month we received a phone call announcing a gift held for us. We, overwhelmed and humbled, went to see what God had planned. After visiting, we left with an envelope. At home we opened our heavenly gift to see $1,000 in cash. Oh, magnificent Father! How great Thou art! Infinitely beautiful is Your love!

Both His lessons and trials have become equally beautiful to us. How could they not be? We understand these trials are just as much out of love and for our good as the other blessings, miracles, and provisions. To receive guidance and chastisement from our God is the biggest blessing of all. He does it because He counts us His children. Someday He will call His children home to Him. Home, sweet home! Doesn't this make you want to do anything and everything to have such love and security of a truly dependable Father? Doesn't this magnify your love for God? Doesn't this make living by His Holy Scriptures so very worth it? We love to be in God's will and obey His Words. We love to live in such freedom and adventure by seeking after our Living God.

When we closed out our finances for year 2009, we were gifted almost $7,000. God grossed $11,000 to us through our earned income. We had such an abundant year! Never were we even close to being in need.