My family has been going through some hard times lately. In February my brother died of cancer. He left a grieving wife, twins and sorrowful siblings.
My brother-in-law found himself dealing with a serious heart problem. In checking that out doctors found a mass on his lung which turned out to be a persistent pneumonia that set off his cardio-vascular system. He was just getting on his feet when his daughter (my niece) suffered a seizure on the weekend while getting ready to shower. She is in critical condition a burn unit with 3rd degree burns over 60% of her body. She had a brain tumour as a child, delicate surgery and has lived with grand mal seizures. In shock and determination our family is facing understood uncertainties.
Munchkin, may God be with you, may your medical team find needed wisdom, skill and compassion, and may God be wrap His wings around your brother and parents and shelter them. Us too. He is awake.
I’m far away, but I am with them in spirit and in prayer. This is for them. For me. For you.
I started blogging out of Australia with a wonderful man named Martin Roth. I haven’t looked back.
Back in the early days of ‘God blogs’ Martin’s was the go to place and it was such a privilege to work with him. He is a fiercely grace filled man and over the years I have had the honour to meet many people online like him. Blogging amazes me, and when I worked with Martin, all brand new at this blog thing, this became my private signature blogging song.
I don’t want to forget or neglect the reality that my life has been absolutely changed by Grace, and while I focus on writing about bad behavior in evangelical circles, this song has been my beacon. It has been a prayer that comes from a place of gratitude deeper than words. It has been a call when frustration floods, and anger flares and sorrow sweeps in and helplessness howls.
I put this together last night and while Sony may find me in copyright violation I don’t think Larnelle Harris would. Small matter in these moments; this sin of needing to offer comfort in a way I know how when a life hangs in the balance and my family stands vigil.
This is also for me, because I need it now as I needed it in the past. It is also a gift of gratitude to BDBO readers.
You never cease to amaze and challenge me, your wisdom, kindness, variety and vibrancy is remarkable and life affirming.
Thank you for walking with me here at BDBO. I am a better person because you’ve found this blog and have added your voice. Thank you for being community.
Thinking of you today.
Praying for you and yours.
Me too. I’m truly sorry about all this, Bene, and wish you and yours a better future.
praying for peace and comfort for you and your family.
May the essence of God’s grace and the meaning of his hope, sustain you and your’s, until God’s love reigns truth through the storm. My sincere prayers are for you and your family. Thanks for allowing me to voice my concerns. Many thanks!
You are always in my prayers, BD. Sending you love and good vibes from across the miles.
You’re in my prayers too, BD.
From the words of one of my favourites:
“When you don’t understand,
when you don’t see His plan,
When you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.”
When our journey allows us to ‘touch on anothers’ then the privilege is not only his but ours. To share with each other ‘and compare with each other’ is that which allows us each other. When the going gets tough on the journey is when we lay down that which is of no use to bring that which is. Love shows ‘if we allow him’ those who will gift us and those who will deceive us. Bene you have brought us much to think about and much to question and much to yet understand. The circumstances we find ourselves in test us as to whether he loves; but also if we do. At times like this to love someone hurts because you see that they do and ‘its just not right lord’. Help us to bring light into this ‘place that has a darkness and for that light to so shine they will see your good works Lord above all others.
My thoughts are your family and yourself today, and I pray right here now YHWH would comfort and heal, and look on this whole situation your family is going through, in the name of the Commander of Armies of YHWH, in the name of Yahushuah HaMaschiach I ask for this. I believe HE see’s this whole situation, and will act according to His will. Thank you YHWH in advance for all you will do!
My personal sympathies for your recent loss, and my personal best wishes to you and your family. You have been an encouragement to me, and to others as well. Keep up the work, it is so desperately needed, despite what any Pastor Rockstar/Reverend Superior-Knowledge may say to you under a fake name.
Shalom and blessings from our mutual Heavenly Father Bene,
- Adam Josh Danyluck
With you in spirit today Bene, and thinking of you and your whole family – praying for His strength and comfort to enfold you all. I’m sure I can also speak for others here when I say that we are holding up your family and beloved neice before the Father… hope you will consider yourself hugged by us today…
Bene, thank you for sharing your sorrows with us, you could have kept it to yourself, but instead you shared it with the world and I believe it will be a source of comfort to others who are suffering to know they are not alone..
You and your family are in my thoughts…
Beautiful song. Thanks for sharing. I’ll be praying for your family.
Excellent song.
My family has just come off a bit of a rough week capping it off with me spending last night in our local hospital emergency ward. Being there and listening to what was going on was a good reminder for me on the suffering that people around me are enduring. Couldn’t get much sleep with the lady next to me crying out in pain from the side-effects from her cancer treatments. Makes me really thankful for the Nurses and Doctors who handle that stuff.
I’ll be praying for you and your family.
Hi Bene. “These things too shall come to pass.” I have always clung to those words in a hard time and they’ve always proven true. You’ve gathered a large following here thanks to your diligence and passion. Thank you.
Know that you have our ear anytime you need.
Tim & Marina
I just spent the afternoon with my brother and sister-in-law and their little “Munchkin”. You and your family are in my prayers, Bene.
God Bless
Sleep in the ER is elusive isn’t it Sean?
I’m sorry you had to go in, and hope you are mending.
Don’t have anything to report, her family is allowed in for five minutes an hour – the care team includes a social worker for her mom and dad.
The majority of burns are on her torso, with a small burn on her face.
She’s made it through the first week, and I thank everyone for their good thoughts, prayers and empathy.
May he take all her yesterdays – may he embalm the now – may he take all that was to come –
A new dawn – a new day- a new way be yours
God Bless
You are in my prayers BD.