God has spoken to me in many ways this week. One of the strongest ways was through His scripture as I have started reading through the Bible in a year. I am in Genesis, and in the 22nd chapter there is the story of Abraham and Isaac. Now imagine this father who finally has the son that God has promised him, and now God tells him to go sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering. What strikes me about this story, is that Abraham does not question God's plan, he does not try to negotiate with God or in any way refuse God's request. Abraham does what God asked him to do out of pure faith. In fact, when Abraham lays out the wood for the offering, Isaac asks him where the lamb is. Abraham says, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." God stopped Abraham just as he was ready to kill his own son, and then God provided a ram for the offering.
This scripture profoundly moved me because it is hard for most of us to imagine having that much faith in God's plan and promises. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his own son for God's plan, because he knew deep down in the very depth of his being that God would provide. I would not dare compare my faith to that of Abraham's. For one, I would have been negotiating a different sacrifice the moment I heard God's plan. However, on my own level, I do have that feeling that God has a plan for my life, and that He will provide for me even when it looks like the situation is impossible to fix.
I end an emotional week. God provided Sheri and Cynthia at the park to comfort me when I needed to cry it out. God also provided many other moments this week to encourage me and let me know that He is still at work and He has not forgotten me or my situation. After the news on Tuesday, I had people I barely know come up to me and share with me that they read this blog and see God at work.
Last night we had the privilege to be invited to the AYSO Soccer Dinner where Jon was awarded U8 Coach of the Year. I was blessed to talk to three women at the dinner who follow this blog. It was the first time I met two of the women, the other I have seen only two times. I am so in awe of how God gets around on this blog! It really encouraged me to talk to these women and see how important it is for me to keep at this blog and continue sharing my thoughts and hopes for my future. God just keeps providing over and over, and He was certainly kind to me this week to give me so many blessings. A big thank you for the giant hug and words of encouragement that we received from the AYSO group last night.
I do not have an appointment until January 23rd with the Radiation Oncologist. I will probably not start radiation until February. Meanwhile, I have those big tests at the end of January. Thank you to so many of my friends from church and school that offered to help with rides and the kids. I am sure I will be able to drive myself, and I am hoping to have a time slot that does take up my afternoon with the girls.
Love to you all,
Sandy
