My Faith and Joy… and Boys!

Our family has been praying for a little girl we know who is battling leukemia, and the situation is dire.  We can’t help but weep at the tragedy of this sweet child and her family enduring so much suffering.  I’ve talked about it a lot with the kids, and explained how even though the Lord allows pain and sickness and sin on this earth, He knows best and works out all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).  We’ve talked about the Biblical stories of Joseph and Job, and how the Lord allowed terrible events to happen to them.  These men were used of the Lord because of their trials – not in spite of them – for His Glory. 

But still, sometimes I find myself getting seized with fear at the unknowns of life.  The Lord has allowed this little girl to suffer, a little girl exactly the same age as my girls…what if he allowed the same thing to happen to mine?  Would I be strong enough to endure?  It’s often said that when you become a parent, your heart begins walking outside your body – and that heart is so, so vulnerable.  I can imagine so many scenarios that involve heartbreak.  But I keep coming back to the words of the Lord: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).  And:   “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.  But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matt 10:28-31).

I heard a song on the radio recently called “The Good News” sung by The McKameys.  The chorus goes: “And the good news is that our hope’s not in this life.  There’s a world that’s far more real than what we know.  When it seems there’s no miracle waiting to open wide, I know that God is in control.”  I’m so thankful that I have that hope, the hope of eternal life.  The same hope shared by the parents of the little girl.  And it’s not a hope that is shaky or nebulous – it’s certain.  “…We who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.  We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul” (Hebrews 6:18-19). 

So when my soul is troubled with fear, I cling to the Good News.  My hope is not in this life.  No matter what may come today or tomorrow, I have peace that my sins are paid for, my future secure.  And my children are in the Hands of a Father who created them and loved them enough to die for them.  That indeed is Good News.        

We have gone to two awesome fairs in the past few weeks, making me one happy lady (I love fairs!).  The first one was a smaller local fair, and it had a bunch of great rides that the kids adored.  My favorite part was seeing all the poultry.  There were some gorgeous chickens in there! 

Since just one fair wasn’t enough, we met up this weekend with some friends at The Big E, which is a huge fair in Massachusetts.  We loved seeing a parade complete with Clydesdale horses, and also an impressive circus that has inspired many juggling and acrobatic attempts in our house!

I’m so glad my kids like fairs as much as I do (and a big thank you to my mother-in-law who joined me at both!).  Now we just need to work on their stamina so we can go to more!

The girls are still enthusiastic illustrators these days.  Here’s Susie’s latest creation, a picture of her with her Palace Pet puppy Pumpkin on the beach reading books (she said that I was on the beach with them, too, but she ran out of room).  😉

There’s no end to these girls’ imaginations.  Here are their Dalmation get-ups: Becky cut, colored and taped ears onto a hat, along with a fur collar and socks on her hands, and Susie created long ears and taped spots all over her black outfit.  I guess if they can’t have dogs, they might as well be dogs!

Somehow the girls giving Jimmy tree-climbing lessons feels like the blind leading the blind!