Friday, February 10, 2017

Night sounds

I never tire of the sound of Virginia reading the Scriptures aloud. Every night before bed, she reads 3 chapters, always out loud. In one room, Sara and the littles are listening to Scripture songs as they head off to sleep. In the other room, a few more listen to a sermon about the God of creation and His powerful, wise, and awesome plans. Virginia reads the Scriptures as I sit and type.

As we prayed together tonight, we thanked the Lord for the opportunity to preach the Gospel, to disciple our children, to love our enemies (thanks for the challenge Todd Caverly) and to glory in the Lord we adore. In the face of seizures and vomiting, morning (all day) sickness, back pain and neurological dysfunction, we choose to fix our eyes and our hearts instead on the eternal, that which truly matters.

We entrust ourselves to Him who never fails, who loves and leads His children every step of every day, knowing that in all things He is working to get glory for Himself, things He prepared before time began that we might see His glory and wisdom, to marvel and wonder, to worship and adore our King, our Father, our Creator and Lord.

In weakness, His strength

You know that feeling you get when your little girl's heart yearns to minister to others but you are unable to do anything? I have them all too often lately. These are moments when you must rely on the Lord for wisdom, strength, and healing. With sickness in the house and Daddy's neurological problems making it unwise for me to drive long distances alone, we won't be able to make it to Planned Parenthood today to preach the Gospel and plead for the lives of the unborn.

How long will our nation continue in opposition to the Author of life? How long must we battle just to see babies allowed to live rather than being murdered by their own parents? How long will our King tarry? Until the last of His elect have called upon Him in repentance and faith for salvation. Until that day, the wicked will continue to slaughter the innocent, to persecute the righteous, and to rebel against their Creator.

Instead of driving to Portland, we will be in our home, fervently praying to the God who intervenes in hearts and lives for His glory. The lessons God is teaching us as we parent a young woman are at times heartbreaking, but always beneficial in the long run. The things we have taught our children to yearn for are not fashions, entertainment, nor earthly fame, but to know and be known by the only One whose opinion matters. His strength is made perfect in weakness, whether or not I understand or see how. I must continue to "hand over the keys" to Him who controls all things. I must also discern when weakness can be overcome and faith must be believing enough to act no matter the circumstances.