I have often told God in casual conversation that if He would just give me a good glimpse or preview of things to come, I could proceed much more easily with life.
Thing is, I don't think God is that interested in my having an easy life. He wants me to have FAITH and to be FAITHFUL. I love the verse of scripture that Kelly has on her blog home page about how we walk by faith, not by sight. But if I could just have a glimpse . . . .
OK, so I'm a slow learner.
Wife share with me just a couple of days ago that she and her Bible Study group were studying the "peace of God" and how there are references in the Bible to peace being "like a river."
"What do you think about when you think about a river?" Wife asked me.
I told Wife that I think about rapids. I thnk about swifly moving water, about currents and eddies. And then I think about stillness, where the water is more calm.
"Exactly," said Wife.
*************************************************
These past few months have been interesting, to say the least and our faith has been stretched. Older Son and DIL announce they are moving away. Younger Son goes to college. Daughter starts a new job.
Kind of like those rapids I just referenced.
Earlier this year, long before his June wedding, Older Son shared with us about some pain he was having in his back. He went to his doctor and she referred him for some physical therapy. It helped some, but not a great deal.
He had a cortizone shot before the wedding. About a month ago he told us the pain had come back and was, in fact, a little worse. He was also feeling some tingling in his legs.
Back to his doctor he went. This time she referred him to an orthopedic surgeon, who scheduled him for an MRI on a Thursday, the day before he and DIL would be leaving for Dallas. On Friday morning he saw the orthopedic to discuss the MRI.
Older Son has a herniated disk which is causing a pinched nerve, which is causing the pain. He gave him some options, one of which is surgery which should give him fairly immediate -- and permanent -- relief. He talked to DIL and he talked to us and did some research. We all prayed and Older Son came to the decision that this would be the best option. Short term discomfort and inconvenience for long term benefit.
He was supposed to have flown to Dallas this past Friday night to stay permanently. He did, in fact, go, but he and DIL will be returning to Nashville this Tuesday the 18th. On Wednesday the 19th Older Son will have surgery and he'll recuperate here with us for at least a couple of weeks. It is supposed to be a fairly short (about 45 minutes), minimally invasive procedure and, as I said, he should get relief from the pain. And his surgeon has assured him this should be an isolated matter that will not give rise to a lifetime of chronic problems such as this.
****************************
Of course, if I could, I would trade places with my son. In a heartbeat. That's what parents do.
But I can't. So I'll join him in walking by faith, not by sight, and trusting God for that peace like a river.
I'll look forward to sharing a good report with all of you later this week. In the meantime, please send up a prayer on Wednesday.