WOW

I was just reading an e-mail update from our church and learned that an older gentleman in our congregation has advanced leukemia. I don't know the man personally, but I know I've heard many people talk about him who DO know him. Currently our pastor is doing a series on Joseph. It's a powerful series about a man who, when you take a good look at his life and put "normal" reactions onto it, should have been bitter and vengeful but was instead confident and peaceful.

Our pastor said this in his e-mail, "What an amazing guy. His willingness to look for God in the midst of all kinds of difficulty is amazing to me. Joseph’s trust in the Lord in spite of rejection, mistreatment, and false accusation is a tremendous inspiration.
But that’s what God uses! That’s when God shines! Anyone can talk about faith. But showing it when the dark days come, that’s the real proof..."

Then he went on to say this about Art, the gentleman with leukemia, "And the dark days can come. I was just speaking with one of our long time leaders, Art Young. He’s been diagnosed with very advanced leukemia. He’s weak and vulnerable. I couldn’t even talk directly to him – too dangerous. He can walk outside but can’t touch anything – too dangerous…there might be a mold or fungus or bacteria that his body can’t resist.
So, he’s really bummed, right? Nope. This modern day Joseph talks about been “blown away by the blessings of God.” He’s working on a plan to find bone marrow donors. He excited about the prospect of helping others! Why? “Because I’m OK whether I live or die, but how often do you get a chance to save a human life?”

So I was curious and went to view Art's blog about being a donor...and then went to his personal blog and read the following...
"God has been so gracious to me. I’m so thankful. I’ve had three great days in a row. But, the best news is that today is the first day that ALL my blood components have gone in the right direction. Some of the changes are small, but all in the right direction. If this trend continues, I will not have to get transfusions until the stem cell transplant process, if that is God’s plan."

I got as far as "I've had three great days in a row" and I started crying ~ how amazing is that? Three great days and he rejoices. It's what I want to be in my life ~ to see each day as a gift and rejoice in what goes right more than in what goes wrong.

Lord, help me to see Your blessings in my life more than I see my trials. Focus my mind on heaven and what's to come ~ to know You "have my back" and to rest in Your strength and Your peace. Keep me in line with the Mother and Wife I want to be so I can be the wife and mother my husband and boys need me to be. I love you so much and long to be all You have created me to be. I can do all things through Your strength. Amen.

If you want to read Art's blog it's linked in the title ~ it's often through the eyes of those in tremendous adversity that we can be most encouraged in our own lives.

Have a great day ~ we're off to South Dakota today and am looking forward to seeing my family. (Some of whom Scott hasn't met yet!)

Love,
Trayc