It’s been a long time, My Friends – almost a year since I’ve penned a blog post or shared such an update here on FB. For a time, I’ve felt God silent, as in, not giving me a word to share. For a time, personal life has been too messy and difficult to share; my energy only geared toward a few things, not including these platforms.
This page started as a rallying group, calling for Reckless
Love in honor of Elizabeth Kathleen (Ellie Kate) McLaughlin, our eldest
daughter who died December 23, 2012 from complications of NKH. Two of our daughters were born with this
horrible, genetic disease which is considered “terminal” at this time. There is no cure, although research has begun
over the last few years, at both the University of Colorado and Notre Dame, which
we are so grateful for.
Because of Ellie Kate, we learned the meaning of true LOVE
– sacrificial, unconditional, always-forgiving, love. Through Ellie Kate, we found “Reckless Love” –
an unconditional love which doesn’t change and will not waver, regardless of
action or reaction. Reckless Love
goes beyond all reason or meaning; you recklessly love someone even when they
don’t deserve it (especially when they don’t deserve it), especially
when it isn’t easy, when it doesn’t FEEL like something you want to do. This most precious love is originated in
Christ Jesus. God is the Creator of all
things, including LOVE. God Himself,
IS Love - I John 4:8. His
perfect love casts out fear - I John 4:18.
Though I am so far from perfect, so far from good,
I know the Lord has a reason for us to be on this journey, this rollercoaster
of sorrow, delight, pain, victories, death, and God’s provision. It’s a story I am truly selfish NOT to share,
and so this page exists and so our Carepage and blog were started so long ago (www.thewonderfullymadelife.blogspot.com).
We’re going on SIXTEEN years of sharing. It can get old, ya’ll – for you as the reader
and friend, and for us, as we share. How
do we continue to share without continually being a burden? How do we continue to share when there is
no major breakthrough, no ending victory in sight for those supporting us? It’s questions like these which often flood
my mind when I contemplate sharing or writing in either place. I CHOOSE to trust the Lord in this. Even in writing those words, I step out in
faith in my own weakness, not fully understanding the meaning of it all. I just know the calling is there and I
must follow – I will continue to share, even when it isn’t easy or fun or
pretty; for I long to give God the glory in our journey and in my life. Isn’t that the goal of every Believer?
To KNOW and MAKE HIM KNOWN? To make
His name glorified throughout the earth?
Indeed, that is why we are here.
In days to come, we will combine the blog and the
Facebook page – I’m still not sure how it will come together, how the Lord will
clearly set that into motion.
I’m trusting Him to do so bc of the stirring in our hearts to once again
share these ups and downs of the humanity we live. We covet your prayers as things develop
and pan-out.
For the newcomers to our journey, and to those who’ve been
with us from the beginning – I am so looking forward to connecting with you
once again. May we come to realize our similar our struggles truly are. May we come to know how faithful our God
truly is! May we learn to recklessly
love EVERYONE we see!
With Hope,
Ryan
