Today I was reminding Ian of how close he was to dying after his accident- that we had even contacted the funeral home. I asked him what that made him think and he said “why am i still here?” he said that he meant that in a hopeful way, and when i asked what it showed him about God’s character, he said, “that he’s merciful.”
although it surfaces as a temptation at times, ian is not angry at god for what happened to him. with all of his limitations, his daily struggles, his temporary inabilities, he has many worldly reasons to say “why am i still alive” in a way that charges god for what happened. but he has never conveyed that attitude to me. he sees god’s hand of mercy in the fact that he is still alive, that he is still able to spend time with the people that he loves. this is only a work of grace allowing ian to keep his salvation more central in his thoughts than his suffering.
i’ve mentioned this so many times on the blog, that no one has affected my walk with the lord more than ian, and no one has represented christ better to me in my life than ian. thank you, ian, for continuing to challenge me and point me to christ. i’m still praying for complete healing and that you see the goodness of the lord in the land of the living.
love you, ian.
laris
anonymous
May 16, 2009 at 12:46 pm
We are instructed to continually pray with perseverance, so I want to thank you for keeping this post as it is a constant reminder as well as an encouragement. As I read your blog and pray, I am reminded that God also wants me to persevere in prayer for those who do not yet know Christ, although I have been praying for many, many years. Our Father is so gracious and as Ian has said, He is merciful! Praising Him for His Faithfulness to us! Love and prayers until one day when we may meet.
anonymous
May 16, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Ian,
Thank you for being such a clear example of perseverance and trusting in the Lord in the midst of such suffering.
-phil
anonymous
May 17, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Dear Larissa and Murphy family,
Thank you so much for continuing to update us on Ian’s condition, not just physically, but spiritually. What a work of our Father’s abundant grace and mercy we are able to see through Ian and all of your lives. Thanks for sharing and know “Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1Corinthians 15:58 God is most certainly glorified through how many people have heard the Gospel and been encouraged through this blog site.
anonymous
May 17, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Hi Ian,
I haven’t posted in a while, but I still read your blog. Today I was praying for you that God would help you to see your purpose, and then I checked your blog and saw what Larissa wrote.
I was encouraged in church today when I was reminded that the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living within us. Romans 8:11. As I was praying for you, I thought about how that Spirit has been with you the whole time. He was not damaged or injured in your accident. His power was not diminished. His power has been evident in your life every single day. In other words, you have great strength, great power, and authority within you, Ian. You have the ability to do great things for God, because His Spirit lives within you.
I just wanted to encourage you with that.
Alicia Joy LeBlanc
anonymous
May 18, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Larissa and Ian,
Truly, God’s grace isn’t just theoretically in your lives…it is REALITY!Still Praying.
Mary Ann K.
anonymous
May 19, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Ian,
Your response to your dad was amazing and so filled with God’s grace. Thank you for consistent example and for helping me to see His grace more clearly in my own life. I’m very grateful.
Kristi