Friday, March 13, 2009

Still Standing

The feeling of being completely forsaken yesterday was met by the loving arms and prayers of so many of you. THANK YOU so much. My sweet friend Melissa reminded me that even Christ prayed and asked His Father, "Why have you forsaken me?" Several of you directed me to the LPM blog, and oh what a treasure that post was to me. The wrestling match between being real before God and still showing reverence for the Lord was exactly what I needed to hear. God's perfect Word for me yesterday. Thank you to each one of you who encouraged my journey over there late last night. My friend Carol suggested I visit "Bring the Rain" where my heart was touched beyond measure. Each comment, e-mail and phone call was God's love to me. THANK YOU.

Yesterday, I never did get to see my Daddy. He had gone so completely violent the nurses didn't feel it was best we come. Our family is caught in "days of Job", each one bringing more bad news. And not only am I watching my Dad suffer, but I'm watching my sweet little Mom have the life torn out of her.

Satan can arouse doubts, infuse anger, make us question, but he cannot, CANNOT claim our hearts, they belong to Christ. Oh for faith, to trust Him more.

Through tears, "This is the day the Lord has made", oh Father please give me the strength to "rejoice and be glad in it".

Today is my older sister Sharon's birthday. I won't tell you her age, but she was 18 years old when I was born. Although when I was younger it was more like having two mothers, she and I now are the closest and bestest of friends. I love her so very much. During these past eleven days I have leaned on her heavily and she has been faithful to carry me. I know the gift she desires most today and I pray the Lord will be gracious to give beyond what we can ask or imagine. Love ya sis.



Thanks again friends for your many words of encouragement and prayers. I can't wait until the day that the Lord breaks through and I have good news to share.

It could be today!



15 comments:

Sita said...

Much further down the road, someone will be going through much the same and God will allow her life to touch yours and she will be ministered to by someone who knows what they are talking about.

Joy, so glad you have felt the outpouring of God's grace in the Body. I'm glad that you have found the freedom to lament loudly to the God who knows and understands and loves.
May His grace be yours today.
Love, Sita

Melanie said...

I posted a prayer at noon today sign up post for you and your precious father & family.
God hears.
Melanie@Bella~Mella

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Indeed, this could be the day. Praying the doors of heaven swing open and wide and our Father makes a grand and obvious visit to your father's bedside this day.

peace~elaine

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

3:48 minutes into the video I just posted at my blog, you are there friend, before our Father's face.

He sees you. Receive his peace and promise. The heavens are on the move.

~elaine

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

Joy I'm so glad to read that you are being somewhat comforted compared to what you were. I know this must be a rough road to walk. I thought of you early this morning before I got out of bed and prayed for you. A picture of you totally wrapped in a soft, thick, velvety white blanket.....only the tip of your head was showing....cradled in the arms of Jesus suddenly appeared in my mind. And I smiled. I knew somehow you had had a breakthrough and were perhaps feeling a little bit of relief.

Still praying,
Marilyn

Catherine said...

Love you friend. continuing to lift your family before the Throne of Grace many times each day. Praying today Sharon receives the best birthday gift of all - good news from the hospital. Crying tears of hurt for you as you draw close to one another and close to Him. Love you so much. Here for you always.

Anonymous said...

Joy,
My dear friend.
I just wanted to share with you that last night I brought your family to our small group. They are faithful prayer warriors. We spent deep time in prayer for your father, you, your family, for the doctors and nurses... Know that you are being covered by prayer from here in Wisconsin.
I love you so much and am continuing to pray. Maybe it is my time to try to encourage you the way you have through my whole journey!
I love you, but never more than God can... and He is holding you through this even when you don't feel His hands or arms.
Heather

Beth E. said...

Joy,
You have been on my mind constantly. I am praying for you and your family.

Blessings to you...
Beth E.
P.S. I saw you in the video Elaine spoke of, too. :o)

Zoe Elmore said...

Sweetest Joy,

So grateful you have experiened the arms of grace upholding you. Please know I carry you with me this weekend in my heart and will continue to ask the Lord to visit your daddy with HIS very presence.

Skoots1moM said...

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

God's arm IS NOT TOO SHORT

sending prayers for you and your family

Yolanda said...

I continue to pray

LisaShaw said...

Joy, I'm not certain how I missed you but I have found you via Elaine at Peace for the Journey and so glad that I did. I have just read your last several posts before responding because I wanted to understand how to pray specifically for your Father, your Mom, your sister and you.

Please add me to your list of intercessors who care so much about what is happening with your Dad.

I am standing in prayer with love in Christ,
Lisa

Wendy Blight said...

Hi bloggy friend,

I saw your comment on Lysa'a blog and wanted to pray for you today...

Heavenly Father, King of kings and Lord of lords rush your ministering angels to Joy's side even as I write. Lord, fill her with Your Presence, wash Your Peace and Hope over her from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Satan, in the name of Jesus Christ leave her home, leave her presence. She is a child of God, bought with the blood of Jesus. You have ABSOLUTELY no place in her life and in her family. You must flee in the name of Jesus.
Lord, bring the fullness of Your everlasting joy to her heart. Remind her she has the mind of Christ and protect her from the flaming darts of the evil one. Make Yourself so real to her the next few days. May she physically sense you in such a way that she will KNOW that it is You. Be at work all around her. Be her strength and her encouragement. Give her sweet rest. Thank You, Father, that You never leave her or forsake her. Love her, surround her this day. We ask this in the powerful name of Your Son, Jesus. AMEN.

Praying for you,

Wendy Blight

Julie said...

Yes, Joy, Sita is right... there will be a day when your life and testimony of this time will bless another...

One thing I know.... wrestling matches with God leave you coming out stronger in what you know and believe... on the other side. God overcomes us and our weaknesses in the midst of those wrestling matches... like He did Jacob... and we are changed.
Remember Jacob's name was changed...

You will be changed.....even from this...you will know Him even more deeply than you did before.

It's OK to question... to cry out, to struggle.. because in my opinion, the struggles take us to those deep, deep places of resting in Him alone.
It makes me think of a post I wrote a while back about my toddler struggling in my arms until He rested. That's where I see you. You are still in His arms even in the midst of the struggle. You will rest... He will make sure of it... Your faith is strong because it is the faith of Christ in you. Your faith will overcome the struggles of your flesh.

Praying for you, friend....

Anonymous said...

Dear Lord, Rescue sweet Joy, her sister's & mother from the trial they are now experiencing. Cover the doctors and nurses surrrounding their father with wisdom and guidance. Speak to them so they will know without a doubt what to do. Enlighten them. I pray for a TURN-AROUND to happen today. All of us are patiently waiting to rejoice in the glory you will bring out of this situation. We whole-heartily and faithfully believe You are the one and only, the most powerful God Almighty.
We love you. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.

Lori - Mesa, AZ