Matthew 17:20 …If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, ; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Whether you read this post at your homeschool desk like Justin, or at work as Lois does, alongside a delicious cup of coffee during a quick email break, or in the car (in the passenger’s seat of course!) on your droid, –wherever you are, I hope and pray that you will be encouraged to live a life powered by mustard seed faith. And that you will share with me and all who read your experiences in it–blessings and challenges. When I look back over this year, from my vantage point of March 2013–with real hair, real surgical scars, and in remission-sweet-remission, one of the things I am most grateful for is my mustard seed faith. It was one year ago this month when our lives were forever changed by a trip to the emergency room and a CT which would reveal cancer and an uncertain future. Little did we know how hard the road would be, nor how richly we would be blessed. Little did we know how our faith would be tested, and how time and time again the object of our faith– God Almighty, The Three in One, Creator of the Universe, Author of our Salvation — would prove unmoveable, unchanging, trustworthy, and our Solid Rock. For it is not our faith which is so powerful and efficacious–but the Object of our faith. In the New Testament book of Mark chapter four, verses thirty-one and thirty-two, Christ tells His disciples that the “…grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth; But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.” The humble mustard seed is indeed small– I often grind them when cooking, and to think of how one grows when sown in dirt is amazing. How productive it becomes. And yet, this is a picture of how our faith is productive, when placed in the Son of God. It is tested, strengthened and encouraged in times of trial, trouble, and drought. We certainly do not seek these difficult times, but very rarely grow in sunny and peaceful times. How wise the Father is to know what we need, when, and where– how high to turn the heat up under us, and when to relieve the suffering. How Good and how Kind is He.
Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! Forty- five or so dear friends yelled last friday night, as Mark and I came into the house after dinner out. Never have I been so thankful to celebrate a Birthday. My hubby had planned a BIG surprise party for my forty-fifth, and the kidos, led by Abigail, had decorated the house with Gerbera Daisies, large and small tissue paper puff balls, and bright balloons in neon pinks, greens and oranges. All while Mark kept me out of the house and busy. Wow! I was surprised, overwhelmed, and happily exhausted! It was a day of much thanksgiving, and many trips down Memory Lane. I KNOW how much love and labor went into the event, and am still thanking my dear Brooksies. Among many treasures that day, I was given a lovely necklace featuring a simple mustard seed with the above verse engraved on the back. Darcie, this verse- once special to me- is now precious indeed. I do not know what tomorrow holds, but I do know Him who does, and I know He will never leave or forsake me. The next set of scans is scheduled for April 16, and I am ready for it. I feel very well, and stronger all the time. It has been a long winter, and the anticipation of Spring is wonderful motivation to be out walking, And the more active I am, the better I feel, providing I have plenty of sleep. It is simply marvelous –these long spaces between visits to Froedtert! Thank you again for your prayers, and company on this site. I continue to meet special and brave folks here who are in various stages of Double Hit Lymphoma treatment or are loved ones of patients. It is a joy to share with them and encourage them on their way. We are an elite group!! And there are more of us than I thought.
