We all have a different image of God, and mine is him sitting at a loom, weaving the giant tapestry of our lives together. The back side, which is what we see, is a mess of colors and knots. But His side is the most awesome picture.
Tapestries are typically very large, sometimes done in pieces and hung together. Though you can get a rough idea of what the front looks like from the backside, it’s never nearly as wondrous as the finished front.
Anyway, that’s what I see happening in my family these days…lives being woven together as only God can weave. As many of you have been praying since late last year, the family is dealing with a behavioral disorder that it is impacting. But the way God is working in each and every person is like the weaving of a tapestry. And this is only the beginning of the adventure (“adventure” sounds much more exciting than “trial”)…
1. Though months and months of prayer went into Lydia, it is clear now that it was God’s timing on when the treatment began. Earlier, the immediate family would have been without a pastor for the spiritual support they need through the crisis. Later could have been too late for Lydia. The prayer prepared the way for today.
Tapestries are typically very large, sometimes done in pieces and hung together. Though you can get a rough idea of what the front looks like from the backside, it’s never nearly as wondrous as the finished front.
Anyway, that’s what I see happening in my family these days…lives being woven together as only God can weave. As many of you have been praying since late last year, the family is dealing with a behavioral disorder that it is impacting. But the way God is working in each and every person is like the weaving of a tapestry. And this is only the beginning of the adventure (“adventure” sounds much more exciting than “trial”)…
1. Though months and months of prayer went into Lydia, it is clear now that it was God’s timing on when the treatment began. Earlier, the immediate family would have been without a pastor for the spiritual support they need through the crisis. Later could have been too late for Lydia. The prayer prepared the way for today.
2. Health issues that should exist are not there, I believe this is by the grace of God in answering our prayers all these months. Though things are not going as well as everyone would like physically, its clear God has protected Lydia from more serious, permanent physical harm.
3. And God takes care of us in every aspect, or I don’t believe she would have the positive attitude that she has. The staff at the facility is amazed at how much she wants to work with them and get better, quite the contrary from the average resident they have.
4. Family members are coming together, not without a few bumps in the road though. In the end, I believe relationships will be healed and the family will be stronger than ever. I feel sad that one person has to pay such a high price for all this healing, but I can’t think of anyone else God could have used better than our sweet spirited Lydia.
5. I believe we’re going to see a stronger marriage come out of this, and ultimately a stronger, Godlier family. And what better way to glorify God than to build strong marriages and families in today’s world!
6. There are lots of lessons to be learned, and one by people are learning them. A new level of faith is being developed in some of the younger family members. A new level of compassion is coming out of others. Resetting of priorities is always a good thing for each of us. And communication has taken on new depth.
Thank you everyone who has been praying, and please continue. There are continued health concerns, financial issues, and decisions to be made over the weeks and months ahead. Things are progressing slowly in the physical realm. But I am humbled with gratitude for the spiritual and emotional testimonies coming in these few first weeks.
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