Definition of FAITHFUL
1 obsolete : full of faith
2: steadfast in affection or allegiance : loyal
3: firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty : conscientious
4: given with strong assurance : binding <a faithful promise>
5: true to the facts, to a standard, or to an origin
Why does this matter? Well it matters because when Pat went to his appointment we were given odds. Honestly I don't like playing numbers games. I am very analytical, I see things as black and white, there is no gray. But from my walk with the Lord over the last 10 years I find that most often times, God is working in the gray area. Intitally we were given a 90% success rate of the surgery working. We were pumped. Dr. Wilson told us that during the surgery he could give us a more accurate estimate. Well he did. Our number went from 90, to 75. My heart sank. I mean, I liked 90, I was comfortable with 90. 75 is less, to my mind much less. Or so the old Laura's way of thinking was kicking in. Through this inner healing class I am taking, I am learning so much. I have such strongholds in place, even in my thinking, that hold me back. We learned that a stronghold is an automatic, practiced, or habitual way to thinking.
For example, you get hurt by a friend, you either hurt back, or possibly withhold yourself from them.
Well for me, I was stuck in a rut of hopelessness with my thinking. So that SMALL number of 75, had me. I got so angry, frustrated, confused, and well honestly not in a good spot. But that was just where God needed me. In that moment I was reminded that as a Christ follower I am to take each thought captive and if not Godly, make it bow to the cross of Jesus Christ. These thoughts were not Godly so it was time to go. Father would not have had us walk this out so far just to leave us hanging. Besides like I said earlier, God works best in that gray area. My math is not His math, nor my understandings His understandings. I know in my heart this will happen in the Lord's great and always perfect timing. So for me I need to be obedient and pray, focused on that prayer component and keeping myself healthy. Can I be steadfast, you bet!
Right now I am reading a book on intercessory prayer by Dutch Stephens. In it he quotes, Andrew Murray saying, " God's giving is inseparably connected with our asking....Only by intercession can that power be brought down from heaven which will enable....(me to be full of faith, me to trust, me to obey the Lord,) you fill in this blank for you. So I know over the next several months I will be on my knees, praying, for baby Skelton. As Jack Hayford said it, " Prayer is essentially a partnership of the redeemed child of God working hand in hand with God toward the realization of His redemptive purposes." I know for a fact, beyond a shadow of a doubt this is the Lord's redemptive work in our family! I know this!
We will partner with God, pray faithfully and trust in him. Only His plans are known to him, but I do know, we are on the path He has set before us. We just don't know where the next turn is, we will wait then, faithfully and not be scared off by some silly number, only wait with expectant hearts on such great news and watching him fill that GRAY SPOT up!
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