HIS TAPESTRY - GOD'S WAYS AND PLANS and not our own

Joining in once again with Spiritual Sundays.  Go here to read other inspiring and spiritual posts or to participate.
As most of you know our beloved, beautiful, vivacious, wonderful daughter, Suzette, lost her 7 1/2 month l-o-n-g battle with cancer on May 19th at 11:30 p.m. and went to Heaven to be with her Lord & Savior. 

We read the quote below on Sunday morning, May 22nd, two days before her memorial service on May 24th.  It spoke so to our hearts but it has taken me until now to be able to blog this.  

"If you are going through a time of isolation, seemingly all alone, read John 17. It will explain exactly why you are where you are - because Jesus has prayed that you "may be one" with the Father as He is. ... God is not concerned about our plans; He doesn't ask, "Do you want to go through this loss of a loved one, this difficulty, or this defeat?" No, He allows these things for His own purpose. The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, and nobler men and women, or they are making us more critical and fault-finding, and more insistent on our own way." My Utmost for His Highest ~ Oswald Chambers - May 22, 2011.

Above everything or anything in life I trust my Lord & Savior and my wonderful Triune God.  I am glad He gave me this reminder in the midst of the worst 5 days of our lives. 

Yes, Jesus prayer is that we "may be one" with the Father and God IS going to see that prayer fulfilled.  And NO, He does not ask, or even want, our opinion but He will and does allow things for HIS plans & purposes. 

I have, for a lot of years, viewed my life as a tapestry that The Lord is weaving.  When I look at it from my view point (the earthly side) I often see nothings but a big mess of knots, threads running askew with no rhyme or reason, and certainly nothing beautiful or very desirous to see. 

My earthly view

 But I trust Him because He is the master weaver and weaves only beautiful tapestries and it is He who is weaving my story (and yours too, if are His).

His Heavenly View

I deliberately picked a very simple design because I know He has much to add before He is finished with me!!

Yes, the things I go through are making me sweeter, better and more noble IF I will but remain in His pliable hands and not rebel against the potters wheel or the burning fire, which ever means He chooses to use in creating my tapestry.

The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, and nobler men and women, or they are making us more critical and fault-finding, and more insistent on our own way."

I have, do and will continue to trust you - God - Jesus - Holy Spirit!

Lead on Oh King Eternal.

  

A TIME OF TESTING!!!

My last post was about Vulnerability.... little did I know just how vulnerable our family would become.

First, we are dealing with some serious issues in the recent marriage of our son, Marc, and Deann. It is very hard to blend 2 families, especially when there are 5 children between the ages of 9 & 15!!! They knew that going in. Overall it is going well but they are having some on-going concerns with the oldest, our 15 year old granddaughter.

Second, we spent all day today in the hospital with our oldest daughter, Suzette. They drained a large amount of fluid off the right lung and also did a biopsy of an area. They let her go home for the week-end and we will get the report on Monday.

Who's report will we believe? WE WILL BELIEVE THE REPORT OF OUR LORD.

I ask that all you who read this blog and are prayer warriors to please stand with us and pray for our daughter, Suzette, and Marc's family.

II Timothy 1:12 - "For the which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." KJV

"But I have no regrets. I couldn't be more sure of my grounds - the One I've trusted in can take care of what he's trusted me to do right to the end." The Message Bible

My word for 2010 - VULNERABLE

This is the word the Lord gave me on 12/30/09 as my word for the year 2010. Here is the post if you'd care to read it.

VULNERABLE

adj (Latin vulnus, a wound) - 1) That can be wounded, or injured. 2) open to, or liable to be hurt by, criticism or attack.

I love the way God warns us and protects us about various things. He is such a good and faithful God to me in all ways. But, I have to admit, even though He warns and prepares us, ....still......often times I am taken unawares. I was taken unawares this week.


This is the scripture He gave me then:


"So I stationed armed guards at the most vulnerable places of the wall and assigned people by families with their swords, lances, and bows. After looking things over I stood up and spoke to the nobles, officials, and everyone else: "Don't be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome, and then fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes."

Nehemiah 4:13 The Message


Yes, I am VULNERABLE. But, He has placed those strong and dear to me to whom I could go to for Godly counsel and I did. Thank you Lord for those strong in The Word and Faith who I can turn to who uplift my arms for the battle. Thank you Father God that YOU are always the answer, the way and the more than enough God for me.