High school graduation day.
It is a poignant and bittersweet moment for my wife and me as we transition to another phase of our lives. Our daughter will be attending college in the fall. Even a cursory overview of the blogs that have been written over the last six years will prominently feature our daughter. From memories of her years of gymnastics and debate tournaments, travels with our family, and numerous intimate conversations, God has blessed us with laughter and indelible memories. But the blogs about her that dominated all were written a year ago when she was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.
As I watched my daughter ascend the stage, I remembered just a year ago I was watching her walk her newly adopted dog around our backyard. My eyes welled up in tears as I envisioned the horrible possibility that her impending surgery may not be successful and she would never be able to walk again or enjoy life and her dog in the same manner. Would she even graduate from high school and go on to college? Would I be able to walk her down the aisle for her wedding?
I gently grasped my wife’s hand and held it for a few moments. I then turned to her and whispered, “It’s been quite a ride!”
He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
Psalms 112:7 (ESV)
Through God’s grace and mercy, He brought together a team of superb physicians and health care professionals who successfully treated her rare brain affliction. Even with the successful outcome, there were many times when the immediate news was bad. Our family came together during that year in a way that would never have happened if it were not for our daughter’s affliction. God does not promise that all news and outcomes will be good but He does promise that whatever happens, He is in control because He loves and cares for us with compassion and tenderness that far exceeds anything we can ever imagine.
It has been quite a ride and it is just beginning. We are holding on firmly to God because it will only get better!
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 