While I was sitting in the metal bleachers (freezing my hinny off) at last Friday night's high school football game, God put these two contrasting images in my brain. Amazing. I came home and searched the archives for the photo on the left, and couldn't wait to unload the photos I had just taken - knowing there would be a version of the photo on the right. I was startled that the body positions were so similar in the photos taken a year apart. It was as though God was REALLY making a point to me that He did NOT want me to miss.
I was TRYING to pay attention. TRYING to tune in and marvel at the faithfulness of God. And then He went and interrupted my mental focus with such a force... it took my breath. It wasn't a "breakthrough" or a new epiphany. It was just a simple truth that was so crystal clear, it hurt my chest to try to contain the emotion of it. Here's what He brought into my mind:
"And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered; so don't be afraid..." - Matthew 10:30
God was quite aware when the "very hairs" of Keaton's head numbered exactly ZERO. And I have to believe He's applauded from heaven as each one has grown back.
The doctors will not give us permission to use the word "remission" for about another 4 years. (Doctors are a drag.) But I wanted you to know that Keaton is doing really well. Are there still daily struggles and physical hurdles to overcome? Of course. But the fact is, we couldn't have asked for a better MRI this last round. We'll continue to hit our knees on a regular basis between subsequent MRIs... which will occur about every 3 months. Thank you for praying WITH us. Keaton's Warriors are the best on the planet.
Seasons. When we're in a season we'd rather skip, it feels like it will be that way FOREVER. But that's a lie - a very powerful and effective lie. Satan wants us to give up. Defeated Christians are not a threat to Satan's agenda.
Perhaps you are still in the middle of your difficult season. You're stuck in the photo on the left and have no idea when the right half of your story will develop. That's a hard place to be. I have some friends in that place. It's real, and a cute little blog entry isn't going to fix it. But this much I KNOW: God is not absent or distant during that season. We may look in the mirror and see NO hair (or no job or no financial margin or no community or no relief from the current struggle) - but while we're looking in that mirror, God is busy numbering. He sees both sides of the photo right now. Faith is the bridge between the two sides of the photo. Journey on. Don't quit.
"Listen to me you descendants of Jacob; you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you, and I will rescue you." - Isaiah 46:3-4
