Great Faithfulness

My trip has been going extremely well with a nice amount of visiting coupled with many miles of driving.

It was a joy to visit Justin and Laura in their lovely new home in Tennessee and be the center of attraction for Ella and Sophia.  Sunday we celebrated their 7th anniversary going out to eat in the evening.  They selected a nice restaurant with a charming outside eating area which was fun for all of us until a heavy rainstorm sent us scurrying for cover.  Being that the interior tables at the restaurant were then filled, we opted to take the balance of our dinner in boxes back to the house.  The girls thought that it was an exciting event.

I was also able to tour Justin's new dental offices and learn much about the specialized equipment in the lab.  Dental work has certainly changed from the days when I was young and dreaded that slow revolving drill with what appeared to be a mile of small belt winding around the numerous pulleys.

I enjoyed a delightful drive through some interesting mountain roads in Tennessee as I continued on to the lake house in Indiana where I have been able to enjoy several days with Karin and Keith.  The area has had an abundance of rain this spring and I noticed that many farmers’ fields had large ponds of water that has drowned out the crop in those areas, which I am sure will be painful at harvest time providing a reduced return on the farmer’s investment in time and materials.

Yesterday I had to be in Michigan to handle some business matters, and Karin was able to hand over or delay some of her cases for the day so that she was able to join me for the trip.  What a difference it makes having someone to talk with as the miles go by!

We were able to enjoy conversation with friends there and being that we were not far from the cemetery as we left town, where many of my family members are buried, we decided to swing over that way.  As I visited my grandparents graves, I recalled the day as a young boy about 75 years ago when I was with them as they selected burial sites in the newly opened area.  Today few burial spots are unused there and many additional areas have been opened.  We also visited Carol's burial site where we laid her to rest nearly seven years ago.  Is I read the bronze marker with both of our names, it was a somber reminder that in the not too distant future I will be joining her there.

Having just read Lamentations Chapter 3 in the morning, I was reminded of  many challenges that we experienced with Carol's cancer, the uncertainty about the effectiveness of the treatments, but always the amazing faithfulness of God right up to the moment that He gently escorted her through that final curtain, leaving behind the pain and suffering of this life and at the same time providing each of us standing at her bedside, a solid hope for our future.  The songwriter expressed it in a beautiful way using the words of Jeremiah in Lamentations 3:23 as he reflected upon the Lord in spite of his grief and tears; "Great is Thy Faithfulness!"  

I trust that each of you have been recognizing God's great love, compassion and faithfulness that Jeremiah remindeds us of in the midst of his "storm."

Love to you all,

Chuck

A Final Task

I finished my study of the Proverbs this weekend and was reminded again in that 31^st chapter what a tremendous blessing God’s choice of a wife is, and how thankful I am for the nearly 49 years that Carol and I were able to enjoy together.  At this time seven years ago, we were struggling with Carol’s final weeks of battle with cancer.  With the help of friends, family and Hospice we were able to participate in Justin and Laura’s wedding on the 21^st of June!  It was no small challenge for Carol to travel from North Carolina to Michigan and return, but it was a tremendous answer to prayer to accomplish one last task in the small bundle of wishes that Carol wanted to accomplish before completing her time on earth.

Justin has completed his tour of duty, serving as a dentist in The Air Force and is joining a dental practice in Tennessee after evaluating numerous opportunities.  The movers unloaded their goods about a week ago, and they tell me that they are feeling somewhat at home now but are not fully settled.  I sure know how that feels!  I need to be in the north next week, so plan to spend the weekend with them, celebrate their anniversary, continue to the lake house and continue on later in the week.  It will be some long days of driving, but I am excited to see them again and feel healthy enough to travel.  We last were together in Orlando some weeks ago.  It will be fun to hear about all the new things that the girls have learned since then.

I trust that you are enjoying the summer.  It has been delightful here, but I was surprised to hear from a friend in North Carolina that their temperature hit 105 today.  That is mighty high for that part of the country.  We have been running only in the lower 90’s in this area of Florida.

Do keep friends Jerry and Stuart in your prayers as they battle cancer.  Jerry had some negative news about his cancer last week and is in the process of evaluating a change in treatment.  They and the medical people need much wisdom from God on how best to proceed!

Love to you all,

Chuck

Finding Wisdom

This past week in the mornings, I started reading the Proverbs and continue to find advice that fits into what I am experiencing or discussing with someone frequently.  At the outset in Chapter 1 we are reminded that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge/wisdom.”  We so often think of fear of something bad.  In this case as we consider the context, I see fear to be a reverence for God with a desire to submit to His will.  Chapter 2 refers to numerous moral benefits that are obtained from wisdom, and Chapter 3 promises a number of rewards as we trust God and walk in His wisdom.  They include longevity and prosperity (vs. 1-2); special favor with God and man (vs. 3-4); guidance as we get to know God personally (vs. 5-6); vigorous health and refreshment for our bodies (vs. 7-8); prosperity according to God’s will (vs. 9-10) and a positive experience of learning/growing from God’s discipline (vs. 11-12).  I have found it to be an exciting exercise for me, as I think about each days reading throughout the day, to see how many examples in my life confirm those truths.  I have found it amazing how many of those experiences started out with various degrees of fear in my heart, ending up to be a great learning experience and ultimately a blessing! 

Max Lucado made a statement about fear that I feel fits so well; “The presence of fear does not mean you have no faith.  Fear visits everyone.  Even Christ was afraid (Mark 14:33).  But make your fear a visitor and not a resident.  Hasn’t fear taken enough?  Enough smiles? Chuckles?  Restful nights, exuberant days?  Meet your fears with faith.  Don’t be afraid; just believe.  Believe that God can; believe that he cares.”  Well said!

I am grateful that it appears that I am starting to turn a corner with balancing breathing meds and also a bit of relief from the excruciating shingles pain.  Thank you Lord, and thank each of you for praying!

Love,

Chuck