Counting Our Blessings

Counting Our Blessings

Monday, March 9, 2015

Longing to suffer well

I again can not express enough how much your comments and support have lifted me up.  These past two weeks have been rough and busy.  In the midst of some overwhelming news about my disease I was matron of honor in a dear sisters wedding.

It was emotional as she closed one chapter and began a new one.  My dear friend is a mother of five who lost her husband a year ago to Luekemia.  During my sweet friends vows she told her new husband that he was not her plan B.  Oh how I loved that.  God is sovereign over all things and my dear friend knows this well.  She knows that this was always God's plan.  Knowing God is working out his plan through this awful disease is the only thing that helps me walk through it.  This latest step in the process of my MD has brought on a lot of fear.  Hearing doctors say things like ventilators and breathing machines causes me to tremble.  I hate that I allow the unknown to rob my joy and stricken me with unnecessary fear.  I HATE that!!  I don't want to waste a second on this disease.  I want to use every ounce of it for God's Glory.  I follow a blog of this amazing gal Kara Tippet who is suffering from stage 4 brain cancer and is on hospice.  She is the Author of the incredible book I have talked about before called " The Hardest Peace".  If you have not read this book I highly recommend it.  Kara is not wasting one second of her disease.  She doesn't enjoy the pain and wants as much time with her kids that God would allow but she suffers well.  She inspires me to not take anything for granted and to not waste this disease but to live my life for the Lord.  My desire is to suffer well like Kara. My desire is to make Jesus known in all he has me do.  Please pray that I would not let fear overtake me.  Pray that God would be glorified through all of my suffering.

4 comments:

  1. My dear Melody, Kelly just shared your post with me and it has me in tears. Tears of awe, tears of faith, tears of knowing the Truth--the truth of your powerful words.
    You and your amazing family have been an inspiration to me since the first day I walked into your home to share the story of Noah on NBC LA.
    I have, in fact, wondered many times "Why? Why this sweet, dear family?"
    Tonight I think I figured it out. You DO suffer well. All that you have been burdened with has continually done one thing: shine an enormous spotlght on your Faith, on what faith in Him can get us through with unimaginable grace (despite any of our all-too-human fears and questions).
    You are a light in the world, a lampstand shining at church barbecues, at neighborhood gatherings even throughout Southern California on NBC.
    And if your light draws even one person to Him, what a life that is!
    May God bless you and your wonderful family. You are LOVED and CHERISHED by Him (of course) and by all whom you touch.
    Much love to you,
    Lucy

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  2. Melody, you are Beautiful. Jesus shines through you and lights up your countenance. The Baeders are praying for you.

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