All Things for Good

It is not typical of me to blog much about family, but I desire prayer this morning in this area.

Currently, our youngest son Cayde, is in the hospital with pneumonia. From the time he was born he has suffered from various respiratory problems and this is the second time he has been hospitalized as a result. I desire prayer for Cayde, but I know there is a bigger picture. Cayde is getting treatment and will improve, but I can't help but wonder why we are back at the hospital again.

We have been in our local hospital with our boys on several occasions for a number of reasons during their short lifetime, and we see the same nurses who have come to know us pretty well. For me, believing that God is sovereign in every aspect of our lives causes me to ask what His purpose may be in all of this. Whatever it is, I don't want to miss it. I am fully aware that we may not see His purpose in this and this may be used to continue God's work in the distant future, but it may be for something in the near future. We don't know, we only want to be faithful and aware that God is working.This may have happened for God to work in the nurses' lives, his doctor's, or it may be just for us. Whatever it is we know that it is for our good.

It always amazes me how my theology can be right concerning God's sovereignty, but my life doesn't seem to back it up when my theology is tested in the fires of practical living. I quote Romans 8:28 and believe that God is working all things for my good and that every thing, no matter how big or small, that comes into my life will be used of God for good, yet I sit in judgment of God when things happen, try to get out of trials as fast as I can without considering God's purpose, and when things don't go according to my plan I am quick to point a finger at the Almighty! Appalling!

When I react in this way, I am allowed to see the true condition of my heart apart from Christ, and I am amazed how much this proves that I am a child of Adam because I see my reflection when looking into the mirror of Genesis chapter three. Oh, God, help me to bow the knee to your absolute sovereignty.

While we are here in North Carolina, my grandfather, five hundred miles away in Florida, has been placed into hospice care. He appears to be in the final stages of Alzheimer's, and besides a few naps hasn't slept in a week. Because of this, my grandmother and those helping her have been up around the clock to watch him. Hopefully, they will be able to rest now with the assistance of hospice.
When they decided to admit him into hospice care yesterday he began to get some things together. The nurse asked, "What are you doing?" He replied, "Getting ready to go." She asked again, "Where are you going?" He told her, "To Heaven."

We desire for Cayde to get well as soon as God would have him to because we need to make a trip to Florida; but even more so we need to remember that God is working in all of this, so please help us pray to that end.

Thanks,
Josh