Wow, it's been quite the month already, and it's only about 3/4 over. It's hard to post about other things when everything else seems so insignificant while we watch our family battle for their daughter's life.
Thank you to everyone who's been praying for our niece. It has been a roller coaster to say the least.
Just as her mom started to think she should print all the entries from her battle 3 years ago and shut down the site, she found herself posting the news of relapse. I know that so many of you are following along already, but just in case you aren't connected with me on Facebook, here is her CaringBridge link:
You may have to sign up, create a username and password, but if you stay logged in you shouldn't have to enter it every time. You can get a CaringBridge app for your phone too, and be able to access it a little bit easier. I will say that was the most depressing app I've ever added to my phone and I cannot wait to take it off.
The news of Sydney's relapse has had me searching and pleading to God to teach me more and more about his character and his truths and to somehow give me even little bits of understanding over the pain and suffering in this world. Already many, many times I've heard family and friends, and even myself wonder how this could happen not only once, but again. It's the questions that anyone would ask, the questions that go way back into history that people have always been asking. They are the same questions that Job asked as he experienced extreme pain and suffering. Why Sydney? Why such an innocent little girl? Why this family? Why cancer? Why again? I will never fully understand. None of us will. But I am so thankful that when I come to the Lord and ask Him to give me something...anything...he does.
In fact I had started a new bible study on my own a few months ago, but ended up setting it aside with all intentions to pick it back up later. Isn't it so cool to see glimpses of the Lord's sovereignty in such small details of our lives? See, I didn't have any reason to set it aside, other than the fact that I wasn't feeling like it was what I wanted to commit to this past summer in all of our craziness. I had told myself that I'd start it the first week of September. September 5th is the day we got the call about the relapse. The Lord knew when I would need what was on the pages of that book. He knew exactly what day I would pick that back up, and begin studying the book of Job, and find the encouragement and the wisdom I needed at the perfect time.
I would love to share some of what I've been learning with you. But who am I to share those things? I feel so inadequate. I'm praying about that. I know it's stuff that we ALL deal with. And if the pain and suffering of this world hasn't visited your city limits, or knocked on your front door yet...more than likely it will at some point. It's inevitable in this fallen, sin-filled world.
But ultimately, I'm learning...slowly...that while suffering is many things...in the end it is God's invitation to trust Him,
and to look forward to a place where there will be no tears, no cancer, no pain, no relapses, no suffering...and in their place will be nothing but pure joy.
Please continue to pray for Sydney. She's got a long road ahead...again. Pray for her parents. I honestly cannot even imagine this battle day in and day out. And pray for complete remission by Day 28 (she's on Day 15 right now)..
1 comment:
i pray for sydney every day. i check her caringbridge site every day. i wish i could do more...but since i can't, i will keep her and her family very close to my heart. prayers, prayers and more prayers. i can't fathom the agony she is going thru and the pain of watching it all happen to her. what a helpless feeling. praying for extra strength for her family as well. hugs.
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