My Heart's Cry

It's been a full two weeks since I've posted! We've mostly been recovering from all of our back-to-back adventuring, but we've also been catching up with old friends.  What a blessing it is to have friends who have known you in so many seasons of life and yet STILL love you!

This week, The McLaughlin Household has been hit with the tummy bug.  That includes our Fearless Leader and Daddy, Michael who never gets sick.  Lucy only had symptoms for one day, praise the Lord, but she does have a yucky ear infection with plenty of drainage that has come with it (thank the Lord for ear tubes!).  Kind of throws a wrench in our fun weekend and anniversary plans, but you know what?  I'm okay with that. There is so much to be grateful for and so many other people hurting right now, that it truly wouldn't feel right to me and Mike to be out celebrating.

We are mourning - hurting, longing, praying, weeping, and being heart-sick for several people that we love; two families, in particular. I will never pretend to know exactly what one person is feeling. I never want to diminish someone else's hurts or heartaches.  I can only guess, put myself in their situation and draw from the experiences I have had in my lifetime.  These friends are facing ravaging disease.  Hopeless reports from doctors.  Failing bodies.  Future uncertainties.  All of these things I can relate to in some way, and I hate that my friends have to go through such desperate, deep, dark, churning times.

You may remember me posting about Jenni Kufahl, my friend from high school that is so valiantly combating cancer.  Her fight has intensified and the cancer is rearing it's ugly head.  I hurt for My Friend and what she must feel and think physically, mentally and spiritually.  I hurt for her family as I cannot truly comprehend all that they have and are having to face as they continue this intense struggle.  Would you pray for Jenni? Her witness for the Lord Jesus has been so strong.  He has lengthened her life on earth and many have come to know Him because of her life and example.  But, we long to see her healed completely here on earth!

Many of you may also remember posts about Ellie Kate's friend, Makenna Johnson.  Makenna and Ellie Kate had very different diagnosis, and yet their behavior at times was very much the same.  It was SO cute to watch them both "hop" around the room together, get up on their knees to play and just see them interact with each other.  They knew.  And they were friends here on earth.  And now Makenna's body is failing her and she may be seeing Jesus soon, and seeing My Ellie Kate.  Makenna's mom reminded me that Ellie and Makenna will have so much fun running around heaven together - that EK will have to show Kenna around in her new world.  Of course, I don't know all the details of Heaven or what it will exactly be like - I can only hope as a mother would, and go off of Scripture (in other words, please no messages trying to fill me in on what Heaven truly is like and how I'm so off base, thank you).

I hurt for Makenna's parents and my friends, Matt and Marianne because I know what they are about to face.  I hurt for their typical children, Micah and Marlee because I know how hard the death of a sibling can be on a child.  Mike and I have sat this week in silence, deeply thinking, mourning, hurting, crying out on behalf of the Johnson's.

Sometimes you just wish you could take bad stuff away, you know?  Oh Lord, take this cup!  Don't let us have to face it!!  But I know that THIS is where faith comes in.  When you have NOTHING.  When you are in the DARKEST of places, in the Valley of the Shadow of Death - that is where faith comes in.  Faith in knowing that our God causes ALL things to work together for our good according to His purpose.  ALL THINGS - even the things that look and feel and sound bad to us on earth.  He has my best interest at heart as a Believer, and He has my children's best interest at heart too.  I CAN and WILL entrust them to His care, even when I don't want to, even when I don't understand.  He has a bigger plan than I can imagine - a tapestry that I truly do not understand, and that honestly seems to look anything but pretty to me.  But, He is weaving it for His glory and for my good, even now.  Even in the dark.  And you know what?  He's doing the same for my friends because they love the Lord Jesus and have given their lives to Him.

My Heart's Cry tonight is for the earthly life of Jenni Kufahl and the earthly life of Makenna Johnson.  Lord, have mercy.  Extend these precious lives on this earth.  Move even now - tonight - like only YOU can, where only YOU can receive the glory.  It's all too much for us to understand, Father.  Help us, Lord.  We cry out to you.