At our church LifeGroup the other night, one of our friends shared that she is prayerfully supporting us but sometimes hesitates to open emails and messages from my name because it might be more bad news. So, for her and all our dear friends and supporters, there is no bad news in this post. While it is true that Elizabeth and her mom are down in Cincinnati yesterday and today, this is for previously scheduled, outpatient follow-up visits. Yes, medicines are still being adjusted and side effects managed, but overall, Elizabeth is still on track to return to college in the Fall (and maybe even some work this Summer).
And though I didn’t make that drive with them, I did get prompted by a song on the radio this week. It was Truth Be Told [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC2wk1w09U8] by Carly Pearce and Matthew West. It reminded me how blessed our family is to have a church family and TWO “small groups” of Christian brothers and sisters with whom we can share our burdens, fears, and even regrets or shame. We can tell the truth and we know it will be received in love, seeking to help and to support healing and redemption rather than judgement. If all Christian communities would behave in this Christ-like manner, so many more outside our walls would be clamoring to come inside rather than avoiding us.
Today’s Bible verse is Romans 12:4-8 [NIV], which says, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
We are so much better together than on our own. Thanks again to “SF” and all our friends for listening to all our “bad” news and sharing our burdens. May God grant us endless opportunities to joyfully celebrate our “good” news and His “Good News” together.