For This Season

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please continue to surround the Pickle family in prayer.  the pathology report should be received tomorrow, although they are near certain that they are facing a malignancy.   the treatment plan will be decided based upon that.   i 100% believe in miracles, and am praying with everything i am for one in this situation. 

{urgent prayer request}

I learned last night in church that a dear family has been hit with a very scary health situation.  After I half-way gathered my wits about me, I called her.  My initial intention was to go to her, but, I couldn't bear to wait the length of the drive.  She answered, which was a miracle in itself.  Please, please pray for this family!  Roy is in his upper 40's and just learned on Thursday that the newly discovered area on his pancreas is highly suspicious.  Of great concern is that they are uncertain how large the area is as it is basically hiding/wrapped/below? a major artery.  They have one of the best surgeons in the country and even though he said "this is not good" he followed up by saying he had had success with it.   Now, they just desperately need to determine what they are dealing with - or actually the area and where it is - as she said they know what it is, although she can't bring herself to say it.  My heart broke for all of them.  We cried and had periods of silence simply from disbelief.  His endoscopy is scheduled for next Wednesday.   This will be a long and very trying week for all of them.  Their two oldest daughters, Corey and Casey are both in nursing school - just at different schools.  Casidey, the youngest is at home. I left a message for Corey, but, got to talk with Casey.  They are crushed right now.  There is so much to pray for in this situation - it's that life changing second we all fear.  Unfortunately, they are living it right now.    Lets absolutely surround them! 

Devotional

Another one that spoke directly to my heart.  It is quite reflective of a conversation I had two days ago with a dear friend regarding my often "overly" critical spirit - especially with those that I love the most.  So, from my Crosswalk Devotional for Friday (two days ago) that I did not get to until today...

July 27, 2007

Missing the

Forest

for the Trees

By Lysa TerKeurst

“What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.” 2 Corinthians 5:11b-12 (NIV)

Devotion:

Sometimes I’m guilty of being such a rule follower that I tend to miss the forest for the trees, as the old saying chides. I look at things from too narrow a perspective, only to miss the bigger picture. It’s easy to slip into the mode of looking at but not really seeing others. Our hectic schedules leave little white space to venture beyond the surface issues. Because of this, it’s easy to pay attention only to the negative. We also have a tendency to cast judgment on those whose hearts we cannot understand. We are guilty of simply being human because, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

For example, I recently gave my children a Language Arts assignment. They were to write a one-page paper about a place they wanted to visit and what they would do there. As they turned in their papers I was intrigued by their responses.

I was instantly frustrated with my daughter, Ashley’s (9 years old) paper because the city name was misspelled. I also found many grammatical errors. I thought, “She doesn’t think enough of this assignment to do her best work. Is she really struggling with spelling and grammar or is this a heart issue? What does this say about her work ethic? What does this say about her character? What does this say about her educational future?”

I sent her to her room to re-write the paper – and do her best this time. Then I noticed her original work tossed aside on the counter, so I read it one more time. Here is an excerpt:

Monrwia (

Monrovia

)

I want to go to

Africa

and see the litter (little) kids in the orfneg (orphanage). And brig (bring) them sutuff (stuff) like clous (clothes), toys, shous (shoes), blakits (blankets), and moms and dads. I want to pick up the litter (little) kids and hug them. Maybe I can be an ortnesig (orphanage) helper one day and make it a good place.

Talk about not seeing the forest for the trees! I had totally missed the beauty in Ashley’s heart because I was looking at the surface, catching every mistake I came across. Her compassionate heart was plain to God, and putting her desire on paper should have made it plain to me as well. But I was so busy worrying about the spelling errors that I callously overlooked her heartfelt response. 

Ashley wasn’t trying to impress me with her grammatical skills; she was sharing a God-given desire with me. It was a chance for me to take pride in the way God is shaping her for a possible future ministering to orphanage-bound children. She needed me to see her heart, but I only saw her writing flaws as they appeared on paper.

Let me encourage you to learn from my mistake. Capture a moment today where you really see someone else. Look beyond their surface mistakes to see their heart. Maybe it’s your child. Or maybe it’s a spouse, neighbor or friend.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for often making judgments of others based on outward appearances. Help me to take time to really see their hearts and understand where they are coming from, and when they align with the things of you, to affirm and support their choices. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

And, prior to even finishing this post I heard a little voice screaming for help.  I left the computer and literally dashed to the bathroom where I found  Evan (naked) standing on the sink vanity "washing" my mirror with water to help "you tean [clean]"   I was able to take a deep breath, explain the importance of not climbing and the safety reasons why, scooped him up and planted him on the floor and cleaned up the mess.  He was surprised and stopped and gave me a hug and a said "tank you."   Point taken.  And, just in the nick of time for him.  I could have responded quite differently due to the mess, but, this little guy (minus the safety issues of being on the counter) had good intentions.  They just went of course in his little two-year-old hands.   I did have to laugh as I turned to flip the light off and saw the sign over the bathtub...."Welcome to the Beach" or flood zone, either would be appropriate.  But, his heart was good. 

And, again prior to finishing this, I heard a crash from Noah's room.  He had pulled out an airplane that was anchored into the STUDS of the wall.  Sheetrock dust all in his hair, carpet and floor.  Huge mess.  Marks on his nose and under arm from his fall.  He was thinking it would be fun to climb up a canvas growth chart.  Not such a good idea.  He got an issue of grace to him also, but, not without a safety rationale thrown in for good measure.  My monkeys  boys can really test me.  I just have to remember that their little brains are not as stocked up with wise decision making tools (just like mine on some days) and with discipline and guidance thrown in - I need to see the forest through the trees that are planted here.   I'm as so blessed they are planted HERE. 

 

Pray for Addison...

Please pray for Addison...a sweet, sweet baby girl who has had a very rough start with medical problems.  She has been fighting RSV over the last several days and was just rushed to the ER via ambulance from the MD's office.  Her mommy Sarah was able to phone her mother from the back of the ambulance to request this prayer request be put out.   Please cover her in your prayers!!