Such Faith, Such Strength

There is this family at church. To say that they have experienced great trials is an understatement. They have definitely had a rough year, but through it all, they have remained unwavering examples of faith and strength.

This summer, as their little two-year old boy was finishing his last round of chemo, his body lost its battle with leukemia, and he passed away. Rather than questioning why little Malachi was taken so abruptly when even the doctors were already making plans for his return home, they embraced the comfort of Malachi's peace and place in heaven. Here is what the mother wrote on Malachi's Care Page.

"I as I sit here in the early morning after the visitation and Memorial service I think of what to say. All the words escape me as they have in the last three days.

Nothing will bring Malachi back, yet nothing can take him away. He is ALIVE in Christ living in our memories and written up on our hearts!

Thank you to each one of you who have prayed so diligently over the last few months, thank you to those who have shed tears as well as laughter with us, and thank you to all of you who are part of our Christian family lifting us up still! You are what will carry us through because God put you here to do just that.

We have been filled with such a peace that passes all understanding. The last two days of " CELEBRATION" have been amazing. Thank you each for sharing Malachi with us. May he live on in you and the message you take to others. We love you all!!!"

Then over the past couple of months the mother found out that she had a tumor growing on her thyroid. As I spoke with her Sunday evening about her upcoming surgery, I was amazed at the strength she exhibited. She told me that no matter what happened, God would help them through this. Here is the result of the surgery yesterday as posted by her family on the Care Page.

Medical Information & Path Forward:
Kerri had a papillary carcinoma (a form of cancer) growing on her thyroid. The entire thyroid gland was removed yesterday during surgery. In a few weeks she will have to be readmitted to the hospital and will be given a radioactive iodine therapy. This therapy is aimed at killing whatever thyroid cells still exists in the blood. It is a one time therapy and following that she will be medicated to make up for the missing thyroid gland and will undergo a yearly body as a preventative check. At this point we don’t know much more so feel free to do your own research on the subject.

The Important Information:
James 1:2-4: ”2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

God has seen fit to provide us with another opportunity to learn about perseverance. He has blessed us with a growth opportunity again so that we may continue to work towards “not lacking anything”. Is this trial a hurdle that we were not expecting; absolutely? Is it something that we are powerless to overcome; absolutely NOT!

We were no doubt saddened by the news that we now face another form of cancer but to me it is a continuation of the life experiences’ that we have had thus far. There has been a fear now that Malachi has been blessed with his reward that the “book” that has been written about his experience (about our experience) is closed and that nothing can be added. That his work on this earth will be forgotten and the story lose some of its power. I am reminded this morning, however, that the book is still very much open and that we may now add another chapter to it as we navigate the road ahead of us.

The works and plans of God are still going on all around us and it is plain to see the numerous blessings that he has provided for us. He has NOT turned his back on us in the midst of trials; in fact we have come to know him more closely in the last year than we ever knew him before. Therefore as we proceed forward along a new path that has been given to us, I have EVERY expectation that his love will be bestowed upon us in GREATER measure and that he will guide and lead us for his glory!

Many have already asked and others will ask what they can do to help us. All that we are asking now is that you continue to call upon the name of the Lord on our behalf and let the power of prayer do its work in our lives. Thank you for your continued concern, love, and support of us.

Such faith...such strength.