Faith in the Darkness

Walking through life, it's easy sometimes to forget about God. Not because we want to, it's just that sometimes we get so comfortable, that we forget that God is in control. Like cruise control living.

My son is still so sick, and his illness has thrown us all for a loop. Chicken soup, yogurt, applesauce, herbal tea, and antioxidant rich dark juices haven't made him well, though how I wish they would. Doctors can't cure mono. It must run its course, and it doesn't care what the schedule is. We could focus on this illness and the chaos surrounding it, or...

Our youth pastor, Josh Wright, recently shared from Psalm 23, not the part about "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death." (Nathan may wonder if he's there right now, but he's not...) Josh shared from verse 5: "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." We can look at life as a cup half empty, a cup half full, or a cup overflowing with the goodness of God.

I pray that Nathan will understand that even though he falling behind in school, he is blessed with teachers who care about him and are willing to work with him while he recovers. May he realize he is blessed with an amazing intellect that will help him bounce back quicker than he thinks. I pray he will appreciate that even though he has missed out on two weeks of band rehearsals and competitions, his directors respect and appreciate him and want him back on the "team" as soon as he's able, no matter how much time he's missed. I pray that he will understand in a new, special way, how intricate God's workmanship is: one little virus is "bringing him down," but one glorious God creating his body in such a way that he will overcome it. As he recovers, I pray his attitude will reflect his confidence in God.

And God, while you're at it, check my heart. Fill me with an overflowing gratitude for your love and care. Help me see You in every hurdle I must overcome. Be with me and help my light shine brighter than it ever has before so that others will know the transforming power of Your love. Don't let me go through life on cruise control, but instead, let me see you in every day. Amen.