Hebrews 12:1-2 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
As I was reading yesterday, the words "enduring and despising" jumped out at me from this passage. I've always understood Christ's agony in Gethsemane as he prepared for the cross as that of someone knowing the horror of what lay ahead but these two words added a different understanding of that time for me. He endured and despised this journey. Those are strong words. I can relate to them very well these days.
It is hard knowing we are in a battle for Dennis' life. We are enduring this time and despising it. Oh, to just go back to "normal"! But we are also trusting. James 1:2-4 describes this time in our lives so well: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
We are holding hard onto our hope in Christ to take us through this time with joy and grow us in our faith in ways we never could have imagined.
We know you are praying for us. It gives us strength to face each day. Today we will learn more about the next steps in this battle. Pray for us to have peace as we meet with the doctors and to have wisdom with any decisions we need to make.
Time is now more precious to all of us as we begin to understand how quickly our world can change. We are not in control of our world, only the reactions to the situations we are faced with and the attitude we have.
ReplyDeleteDennis and Ellen are an inspiration to bring our positive attitude everyday.