He’s Teaching Me – Part One
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
When I pray for Ian, I try to remember to thank God that He knows the ending of this story. But I also want to be thankful that He not only knew, but He created, the beginning. Today was hard because Ian is not who he used to be. He is a constant reminder to me of how fleeting we are- and that is a great thing to be aware of. In one second, all that we have built our dreams on, all that we have boasted in, all that we have thought to define us can completely change. We can be stripped of all that we cling to.
But this is how God designed us. And He and His promised inheritance to us are everything that we are not: “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” (1 Peter 1). What an encouraging contrast to look at Ian and then to look at Christ. Fleeting versus unchanging. But Ian in his condition is no different than any of us- we’re not keeping our hearts beating on our own.
Thank you, Ian, for teaching me just how weak I am. Like always, you remind me daily of my need for a savior.
Thank you, God, that you yourself are the beginning and the end.
Please pray for Ian. His sore throat is back. He slept most of the day and we wouldn’t be surprised if it’s because his throat is hurting so much. Tonight he was groaning, and he told me it was because he was in pain. He also said that it hurts every time that he swallows. He’s been doing so well at swallowing, but his sore throat really sets him back.
He also communicated to me tonight that he is discouraged. I don’t know what specifically he is struggling with. But he has been completely stripped of the life that he knew. Who or what does he have to cling to but Christ? If he is struggling to believe true thoughts about God and to stay focused on the cross, this life has plenty for him to be discouraged about.
Lord, please have mercy.
Larissa
anonymous
July 23, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Dear Lord, I thank you that you have not forsaken Ian. You are an ever present help to him. You will never leave or fail him. You are always good. Lord, please bless Ian with a sense of your goodness, and with your infinite love. May he feel your arms upholding him through each minute of every day. We humbly ask that you would have mercy on him and on us, undeserving sinners, in desperate need of Jesus’ shed blood to atone for our sins. Ah! You are good, and so kind! Lord, please continue to heal our friend and brother…He is part of Your body, and when he hurts, we hurt with him. Fill him with peace and the annoiting of your precious Holy Spirit. You are good, Lord, and we praise You alone.
anonymous
July 31, 2007 at 8:11 pm
I got to know Ian through a friend Dan croue,who had visited our church in uganda.Iam sure for many of us God is teaching us something from Ian’s stuiation,He’s to me.Ian am praying for you that you will see God’s love and plan for your life.I pray you find hope and courage in God,from Toppie in Uganda
anonymous
September 18, 2010 at 11:23 pm
Cool web site, I had not noticed prayforian.blogspot.com earlier during my searches!
Continue the excellent work!