Something that has consumed a great bit of my time this past week is praying for a very special family. While I don't know them personally I have found myself thinking of them hundreds of times each day, praying for them almost as often and checking
their blog for updates constantly! (I think if you were to come over you'd see that my house is looking somewhat "forgotten" because of it!) Their names are Nathan, Tricia and Gwyneth Lawrenson and while I'm not sure how well I can tell the story it has touched me nonetheless and so I'll try.... Tricia has Cystic Fibrosis and was waiting for a double lung transplant when they found out they were expecting a baby. Sweet little Gwyneth Rose was born last Tuesday at 1lb 6oz. While Tricia remains somewhat asleep (they've been reducing the sedatives so she is slowly waking) Gwyneth is in the NICU and is a precious little miracle! I went to high school with Tricia's sister, Megan (we played softball together) and her sister, Janet was my PE teacher (so much fun!!!) I vaguelly remember Tricia, but I'm sure she wouldn't know me from Eve. Still I see how this family is living out their faith in such a real way and have been impacting countless thousands of people worldwide with their testimony of hope and peace because of their relationships with Jesus Christ! My eyes are getting all watery and fogged over as I write this (just as they do with every post of Nathan's that I read!) I'm just amazed at how our awesome God is working in such a real way during such a difficult time. In one of Nathan's posts he says that this isn't a sad time for him. While I'm sure they wouldn't have chosen this situation for themselves had they been given the choice they sure are walking living testiments to lives that are completely surrendered to God no matter what life brings. How I hope and pray that I could do the same if I were to be in their shoes! If you're reading this and don't know about the Lawrenson's story, please check their blog
http://cfhusband.blogspot.com/ and above all, please pray for them!! Our God is an awesome God!!
This song by Casting Crowns keeps coming to my mind as I'm writing this:
Praise You in this stormI was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.
Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away
Chorus
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
Chorus
A very common pose for Caleb - right thumb in mouth, left hand on head (his or someone else's depending on where he is!)
Poor kid - no toys, has to play with mommy's curtains!
