They dashed from the church when my meltdown made it clear I was in immense pain and needed help asap. Jenni and Liz later recalled our pastor finding the meds, doing a little dance number and yelling through the aisles: Were coming, beautiful Christine! We're coming to help you!
Two days, two doctor visits and ample amounts of medicine finally led to victory. I opened the door as my team, team Shekinah, our pastor and his wife all cheered. You'd think I'd won trivia night or something but alas I did not. My 11 day stint of being unable to digest my food was over. No shame. Praise the Lord.
During that time I learned my sweet Granddad was admitted into hospice due to complications with surgery. I was in mourning, unsure how to even go about it while trying to balance the heat, ministry and the rat that terrorized my nights. I asked Jake to prooteeeceet me which came out super Southern so he nodded and said, "Sure Hank Williams, I'll prooteeeceet you." And he has. Templeton made another appearance by my face and thankfully I didn't even find out until the next morning. Via Facebook. Normal.
Two days ago my precious Granddad got the awesome privilege of meeting Jesus face to face. He's in the Holy of Holies hardcore worshipping the Savior he loves so much. The angels are dancing a happy dance and I just know Granddad is getting ready for the best game of golf ever. We will miss him forever but we'll see him again. He taught me what it looks like to be the hands and feet of Jesus. All I can do is stand in awe that God blessed us with such a sweet man to love and learn from our whole lives. What an honor to call him my Granddad. I love you so much. Tell God I said hi 🙂
So typical for us to be cheesing for the camera and Granddad to be watching and smiling at us!
I journaled December 5th and wrote, Father, I desire all you have for me. I accept it. My heart is here. Use me. Shake me to the core. Rock me. Use me. May everything I do give you glory. May my strength be your strength. I love you heavenly Father. You are my Daddy God and I praise you above all. You are gracious and loving. And underneath it I wrote Transformation.
I mean if you’re going to ask God for powerful things, expect power and glory to be displayed.
It’s not by coincidence that I am 9100 miles away from my family right now. It’s not by chance that I am in Tondo. Justin, the little boy from two blogs ago is getting the surgery he needs because a grant came through. My heart and comfort zone are puddles. Things are being shaken up in the spiritual realm and it’s awesome. Jesus is teaching me how to view life through His eyes. Making His thoughts my thoughts; His ways my ways. Sometimes it takes a journey for this to fully infiltrate into our beings. God supplies all my needs. His grace is sufficient for me and His strength is perfected in my weakness. Jenni and I laughed earlier when I said I thought I broke last month when that man attacked me. Heck, I thought I broke on I-65 last February in Nashville when I totaled my car and my life turned upside down. But here’s the thing. God’s an all consuming fire. He never goes out. He constantly takes the brokenness of a fallen world and explodes us into new depths with Him. He takes events in our lives and resurrects them to glorify Him. He works it for good because He is good.
Each scar has a story, every story has a point, and every point glorifies Him.
He asked me, Will you praise Me in all circumstances?
Yes Jesus, I will.
God’s Word breathes life into me more than anything or anyone can. Fully relying on him when words can’t take away the grief and people can’t soothe my hurting heart is humbling. I’m hiding in the secret place of His presence and I feel safe. Life is passing by in a blur and I’m ok with that. I’m seeking Him. I’m trusting Him. I’m mourning and I’m doing life, and I’m thanking Him for keeping me here when everything in me wishes I was at home hugging my Grandmom and holding my family tight. My Granddad was a fighter for his faith, his family and the poor. I wanna be like him because He was like Jesus. They are best friends and I know they have a front row seat to this adventure and they’re both smiling down saying what Granddad always said, “I’m mighty proud of you.”
Our church at our Farm where he will be buried. Love you so much, Granddaddy.
