Flooding and Lupus

As we drove home from church this morning, Clint and I looked at each other. Our middle son was belting out one of his original songs, and we were both thinking the same thing. We are blessed.

We have seen so many tangible tokens of God's grace in our lives.  We have three healthy, beautiful boys, a warm place to stay, a God who loves us and an ever deepening love for each other. We have felt so blessed by the love of our friends and family, and a host of prayers have truly upheld us.

I have been grieving the loss of our home. I wasn't there when the call for evacuation came so I was unable to save our wedding pictures or Knox's blankie. I wasn't able to pack a bag or save sentimental belongings. To lose the place we call home makes me sad, but I am also acutely aware that I have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. There are some things that cannot be touched by flood waters--things that are kept in heaven for me. For this I am thankful.

Last Thursday as the flood waters rose around our house, I was visiting a doctor in Calgary. The diagnosis was lupus. Results from a skin biopsy confirm it. We still don't know the extent of my disease and it may be awhile until I am able to see the specialist that would assess this. Lupus is not curable, but it is treatable and I am praying for a milder, more managable form of the disease in my own life.

God's words through the prophet Isaiah speak to me. I know His compassionate heart and tender care toward his loved ones.

"Fear not, for I am with you;

be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my

righteous right hand."