More Bumps

We learned of another bump in the road for our family yesterday. After experiencing a great deal of pain, Leslie's father, Mike, went to the doctor thinking he had a kidney stone. After a CT scan, he learned that he has a softball-sized cyst on his kidney. As far as we know, this is caused by a disease he has called PKD (polycystic kidney disease). Please be in prayer for Mike and Becky as they go to the urologist tomorrow to find out what is next.

Today, Leslie went to see the surgeon about the fissure. She was prescribed a cream to treat this and we hope it provides some relief for her. Dr. Strom also gave her some pain medicine to help. Leslie continues to be worn out. It is such a hard thing to witness. But tonight we had a few moments together just to talk and pray. I find it difficult to pray more meaningfully than, "God, please help us." He continues to meet our needs. Just yesterday, I prayed as I was leaving about the grass being cut. I hadn't said anything to anyone about it, but couldn't figure out how I was going to get it done. It was something so trivial to pray about. Yet that afternoon, Leslie's brother Wil came over and cut the grass. I was convicted to pray more.

I haven't written much about the "why" question. But believe me, I do struggle with it. I never dreamed of this being our lives together. I struggle with much more than the "why" of cancer and back injury, and all the physical struggles our family members are going through. I struggle with why Leslie is working, why God has led me out of pastoral ministry and kept me out for so long, why our kids are having to go through this. I know God is sovereign. I don't have as much trouble with my thoughts as I do with my feelings. I know there is purpose in all of this, but I don't always feel any great purpose. I am thankful I don't have to be enslaved to my feelings. As much as they are a real struggle, I know truth (reality) trumps feelings.  And so I press on, and I thank all of you who are praying with us.