How Big Is Our God?

There are times in our lives when circumstances make us do things that are unpleasant or unwanted. We didn't want cancer. We can't figure out what caused it. The doctors can't tells us what caused Leukemia so there doesn't seem to be anything that we could have done to avoid it.

When we learned of Josh's diagnosis on July 20, 2010 (at 5:00pm) our lives have changed. We have had to make life and death decisions, we have changed all of our regular normal patterns, we have had to give up most of our family traditions. Josh has spent less than 15 nights in his own bed in more than 2 months. As a family, we tried to have a regular schedule and one thing we did on a regular basis was to do fun things together as a family.

We have not been able to do much as a family together and certainly not much fun. 

When we heard that we had to return to MD Anderson this week (Josh was in the hospital for 10 days in Dalhart, he only spent 3 nights at home before we had to leave) we were all disappointed and discouraged. As we loaded into the car at 5:30 am on Tuesday to start the 10-12 hour drive we prayed. We usually pray before we take a trip, for safety, for direction and even for fun when we are going on a family trip.

This time, although there was nothing that we were looking forward to, I knew that we all need to experience some fun together as a family. So, as we sat there in the car I prayed, "Father, give us safety as we drive, help us to avoid traffic, and if there is any way you can work it out, as a family, we could really use a fun experience. Show us your faithfulness by letting us do something fun. Amen."

Then we drove 11 hours to Houston. On the way we saw a warning sign of a traffic accident blocking all lanes, in time to get off the freeway and go around, we found cheap gas and a few clean restrooms and arrived in Houston at the Ronald McDonald House earlier than expected.

Then God started showing off.

As we started unloading our luggage, we had to wait to get checked in. We were tired from the long drive and the early start. Although we had some plans to meet up with our friend Leah for dinner, no one was every excited to be in Houston. I was ready for a nap.

As we waited there, Kathy, who works with the RM House, walked by and asked if we wanted tickets to an Astro's game that a generous person had. We didn't really think much about it since the Astro's have had a tough season. Kathy told Ilene that the tickets were good tickets so we started talking about it. Well, after a little encouragement, Josh and  Sarah decided we should give it a try. We would still have time to go to dinner with our friend and still make the game.

With the tickets was a parking pass, and the face price on the tickets was substantial. (We have paid less for a car then what the 4 tickets cost - I will have Josh post a picture of the tickets) but we had no idea what God had in store for us. You see, I had already forgot that simple little prayer 13 hours ago, when I asked God to allow us to have some fun as a family.

When we arrived at Minute Maid Stadium, the prepaid parking was next to the stadium, I mean less than 100 feet from the entrance to the building at home plate.

Then as we walked in, we kept trying to go in the wrong area, and they kept sending us to these back door, hard to find doors, one that went downstairs through a tunnel and then through a dinning room. As we walk in, the attendant told us that all of the food and beverages were free and if we didn't want to miss any of the game, someone would bring food out to us.

And as we sat down, just in time for the first pitch, I remembered that prayer. With tears in our eyes, Ilene and I looked at each other and realized that God had answered our pray. We were sitting 9 rows back from the backstop, in seats that were padded, with an attendant bringing us free food and beverages.

We didn't get to bed till after midnight, and had to get up for a 7am doctors appointment. But I could hardly sleep. Even as I woke up, I thought about what an awesome God we have. He planned a way for us to have fun, to show us that He cares for us and loves us, in the middle of a journey through "the shadows of death". 


It reminded me of the story in the Bible about the Israelites as they left Egypt. They had a long walk through the desert, headed for something they didn't understand. They had to give up the lives they knew and trust God to provide for them. And He did. He gave them free food, fresh water, a fire at night to keep them warm and a cloud covering during the day to keep them cool. Their cloths and shoes didn't wear out and He went with them.


Like us, they still complained about how things used to be better in Egypt, but God still showed them His favor. Eventually, God took them (their children and grandchildren) into a land flowing with free milk and free honey. Gave them houses they didn't have to build and farms they didn't have to plant.


Today I realize that God has a plan for us. On this journey, even as we walk in the shadow of death, we don't have to fear evil, because He is with us. Even when we feel surrounded by enemies (cancer cells),  He prepares a banquet table for us (with free parking). Our cup is running over, we have been blessed and there is no one else that can take credit for it -- except the Lord, who is our shepherd.


Today, we are lying down in green pasture, beside still water and our souls are being restored.


Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me       
all the days of my life,    
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.


Thanks for your prayers. 


We have a huge God.