Your Joy Shall Be Full
Ian’s speech therapist said she was floored by his response to her this morning. She has been working on getting him to blink once, twice, and close his eyes on command. Usually, he may do it once or twice and there is quite a delay. But she said this morning that he was doing it consistently for about 10 minutes straight. He is also swallowing more than before and doing it in a much more “functional way,” meaning he is more often closing his mouth and touching his tongue to the roof of his mouth, like the rest of us swallow.
His right eye still looks really good and he’s using it a lot more than before. His mouth looks like it’s starting that vicious cycle again of becoming sore. Please pray that his mouth would heal and he would have total comfort.
Ian has looked really great the past two days that I’ve been with him. It’s been really encouraging to see new movements, even if they’re small. But, I’m still ready for this affliction to be over. I’m ready for Ian to talk to me again. It’s a constant battle with my thoughts to trust that God’s timing is perfect. I feel like Ian is missing so much in everyone’s lives and I’m not sure if any of us remember what normal life feels like anymore. But today I was thinking of all the times in my life that I’ve been wrong and all the times that what I thought was right was completely backwards compared to what God had planned for me. I’m so grateful that I serve a God who is never wrong! I can picture what I wish my life were like right now, but obviously that’s not what is best for me or for Ian. This is normal life now, and this new normal that God has given us is completely perfect.
“..when you are dry, go to God, ask him to shed abroad His joy in your heart, and then your joy shall be full.”
-Spurgeon
Larissa
anonymous
February 23, 2007 at 3:49 am
I know that normal is not where we live anymore. Yet, I know that God only gives good to us. Only by His Spirit can we see that good in our day to day struggles. We stand with you…
anonymous
February 23, 2007 at 12:44 pm
The New Normal
Larissa,
Your post said “This is normal life now, and this new normal that God has given us is completely perfect.”
You do well to humble yourself and submit to God in the new situation in which He has placed you. God’s “new normal” currently includes Ian in very less than ideal physical condition (obvious understatement). The “new normal” includes a huge emotional and physical and financial weight on all of you (another understatement).
And remember that this situation is not static, but it is ever changing. With each post, I see that God is continuously moving Ian toward healing and restoration.
But wait, there’s more! God’s “new normal” also includes radical growth in you all. With each post, I see that God is doing a major work in your heart, in all of the Murphy’s hearts, in Ian’s friend’s hearts, and for all we know, in Ian’s heart also. And God is changing us, who read and stand with you at a distance.
God’s “new normal” has used Ian – unable to speak and limited in movement – to literally reach out around the world to glorify God through you all. Yes, in the “new normal”, God is glorified more.
As our hearts, sinful and rebellious by nature, are changed to respond in humble submission to the Sovereign One, I see the miracle of the “new normal”.
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43: 18-19
May God be glorified in healing Ian completely! May God be glorified in changing us completely! May God be glorified completely!
John Q
anonymous
February 23, 2007 at 5:43 pm
…and His great purpose – to deepen and grow your faith – is being accomplished, however painful it may be. Don’t lose heart, dear ones, He will not give you more than you can bear.
anonymous
February 23, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things.”
I’ve been reading Spurgeon’s ~Beside Still Waters~. I have not been reading the entire book, just one particular page over and over.
“Trials greatly enlarge the soul. Thus I do not want, in my better mind, to escape great trials, since they involve great graces. If my strength shall be as my days, then let my days be long and dark, for my strength will be mighty, God will be glorified, and I will be blessed. I earnestly urge every teseted Christian to dwell on this truth, for it may be a great comfort. There is love, immortal and unchanging love, in heaven toward you, which will never grow cold. You will be helped. God would sooner cease to be than cease to be faithful. Be of good courage, for today He will strengthen your heart.”
It will be three years soon that i lost my dearest friend in a tragic car accident. Even though I often doubt and fear the future, God has been so faithful to carry me in His loving arms and consistently overwhelm me with His love.
I hope the verse and quote encourage you all this day. My heart truly goes out to you. I look forward to hearing of great miracles in Ian’s life.
anonymous
February 24, 2007 at 5:58 am
I easily resound “Amen” to so many of the other comments, as well as your own thoughts and feelings that you all share on Ian’s blog.
God is so faithful; truly, He is being glorified moment by moment in this season of your lives.
Corrie Ten Boom wrote “There is no pit so deep that God’s not deeper still.” I know that you are seeing this truth every second of each day.
Our prayers are with you all, and I am touched by the depth of your faith and your commitment to Ian. The eyes of the Lord are upon you and He will show Himself strong on y’all’s behalf.
Thank you for sharing this part of your lives with us. We are confident that the God of all comfort will surround you all with songs of deliverance.
The Psalmist wrote in Ps. 73:26: “My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
I pray that the strength of the Lord will encompass you all as you stand firm in the assurance that He is with you…forever.
anonymous
March 1, 2007 at 7:26 pm
larissa ,
Goad is using you so powerfully to share deep insights about the Father’s heart.Thank-you for taking the time to share so deeply.
Katy~The Country Blossom
May 30, 2012 at 9:27 pm
In looking and reading through these older posts…I saw in this photo, above, that the one girl is wearing, what appears to be, a Clarion University sweat shirt. I live close to Clarion and thought it strange to find someone so close in blog-land.
Always love a quote from spurgeon, too! 🙂
Warmly,
Katy