Taking Life for Granted

It's amazing how you can be coasting through this journey called life. Then, one turn and BAM. Life is altered. Seasons come and go. Some we like. Some we don't. Some we wish would pass right on into the new season. I'm not a big Spring season kind of person. Probably because I do nothing but sneeze my way through it. I'm not a huge fan of summer unless it's time for an Outer Banks vacation. Then, I, of course, am ALL about it. But then I'm ready to move on to Fall. I think I like the "colder" seasons because I'm extremely hot-natured and can always get myself warm. But getting cool when it's hot outside isn't always convenient.

Anyway, back to the journey. How extremely challenged and blessed I have been to watch the people God has put in my life walk through their journeys with all the twists and turns. Then to watch them dance, rest, play... or in some cases, cling to our Savior. The past three weeks have been like that. I've watched as one of my "kids" has gone through something his ER neurologist called somewhat rare and then followed up with the words, "There's really no treatment for cerebellitis. He will get better, you just have to let it work itself out of his system." At that moment, the only thing to do is cling.

When I think of clinging, I picture myself about 4-years-old, with arms completely wrapped around my Dad's neck, squeezing at tight as I can, as if holding on for dear life. That's what I've seen my friends do these past few weeks as they have watched their 6-year-old boy go from "over-the-top energetic" to barely being able to lift his head much less walk across a room or even hold up a donut to his mouth to eat. Enter God. Watch as His daughter and son run to Him and cling as if holding on for dear life. And in some ways, that's exactly what they've been doing. Because Life is all they have.

As a friend of [mumble, mumble, mumble] years, we've watched each other walk through some stuff. Oftentimes laughing. Usually crying as well. Always pointing each other to Life. This part of journey has not been easy. I've seen the moments of frustration and wanting this season to pass into the next. Sheer exhaustion has set in and there's nothing to do but cry out... and continue to pray. Well, dear friends, keep clinging. He's spoken. Don't let the thunder and lightening of the storm drown out His voice. He has spoken. This is the season where vengence is coming to save. "Then will the lame leap like a deer and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the dessert... gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away." (Isaiah 35:6, 10b)

"Our" little boy will be back soon. He has spoken. In the meantime, thank you for the privilege of watching you cling. And Jehovah, thank you for teaching me as they do. And, of course, for Your healing hand.