Suffering is Essential

The last few weeks have been a blur. I went from enjoying some sweet rest and relaxation with my husband in Nashville to learning that my mom was diagnosed with cancer. From there it only got more interesting as I quickly headed off to be with my parents in Mitchell, only to end up in the ditch after a slippery slide down the interstate. Through the kindness and thoughtfulness of relatives, we were cared for so tenderly as we waited to get to our final destination. I can't even begin to express my gratitude over the way God provided for us in this bad situation.
We finally made it to Mitchell on Dec. 22nd and celebrated Christmas. It was a special time together with mom, dad, Joel and all our family. Knowing that we were about to embark on a very scary journey into cancer, it made the time together very precious. For awhile, we didn't have to face the facts, but only cherish each other and live in the present.
Through it all, I caught of glimpse of what God was doing in each of our lives... in my mom, He was giving peace that passes all understanding...in my brother, He was raising up a true spiritual leader...in my dad, my hero, the armor was beginning to crack. Most all, we got real and focused on what matters most. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father and our relationships with one another. Why does it take a tragedy for us to tell the people we love just how very much they mean to us and how very much we love and treasure them?? I could never convey to my mom or to my dad how much they have impacted my life and how grateful I am that the Lord chose them for me. They are the best parents EVER and I love them more than I could ever tell them. When you love deeply, you feel pain deeply. My heart hurts...
We left Mitchell with the realization that surgery was just around the corner...Dec. 31st. I would come back alone and stay with my mom and dad as long as they needed me. Troy was going to hold down the house and play Mr Mom. We also had supports in place to give rides, take care of Isaac and provide a few meals along the way. God was faithful and good to all of them during this time. He also met us in a hospital room in Mitchell and provided us with a sweet time of laughter and tears. I saw the hands and feet of the body of Christ and felt His love through countless hugs and many meals. My mom was amazing and I was so proud to be her daughter and be there to encourage and support her. Again, there were moments that I was sure my heart would literally break in two and I could barely catch my breathe, but ultimately, the Lord's grace was sufficient for all of us.
What have I learned so far? Not to race ahead of today...I must live in the present. He daily bears our burdens. I don't have the grace for tomorrow yet.
I need to live and breathe God's Word. There is nothing else that will bring me peace or hope.
I will spend the rest of this life telling my mom how special, how wonderful, how amazing she is and just how much I love her.