Holding the Ropes
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I was watching the memorial tribute for Floyd by YWAM Amsterdam this past week, someone remarked that it was 50 years ago that we first started the house in Kabul, Afghanistan for the hippies/world travelers. I hadn't counted up the years! It was a long time ago, but the memories are fresh. I'm so grateful for all the adventures we had.
Another wonderful tribute I watched was by Living Hope Church in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Bob Leach pastored the church for many years - his son, Jason, is now the lead pastor. They dedicated the Sunday service on May 30 to Floyd. Bob shared his testimony of coming to Jesus in the house in Kabul. It was powerful and moving. He and Jason both shared lessons learned from Floyd. Then they showed a clip from a 1973 interview with Floyd in Kabul that was done by CBS television. I've never seen it! It was fun to see and hear Floyd from all those years ago.
All the comments, tributes, etc. that I have received and watched are so special.
Some of you may have seen in the news the story of a young woman who was recently on a TV talent show. She sang a song she'd written that was about her journey with very serious cancer. The song is called "It's Okay." She shared that she only has a 2% chance of survival, but that that's better than zero percent. She had such a wonderful, glowing outlook on the trial she's been through. One of her final statements really touched me - "You can't wait until life isn't hard to be happy!"
I have been thinking a lot about that statement. I realized that in the midst of our 5+ unexpected journey years......it's been very hard.....and yet, by God's grace, there has been happiness too. The love and support of our family, the care from dear friends, the beauty around me, the prayers of so many around the world, the sense of being carried by the Lord - so many things have brought happiness and joy. I'm so grateful for that! I think when we walk with the Lord, He'll always bring His joy, His peace, and His happiness into the hardest trial. He is so good, kind, and faithful! I couldn't make it without Him.
"I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19
As I read these verses, they sum up the last few years. He has strengthened me, He has poured out His love, and He has filled each day with His wonderful fullness......that, yes, includes being happy on hard days. Oh how thankful I am!
This past weekend in my quiet time, I decided to listen to a message by Dick Foth - Holding the Ropes for Miracles. I had no idea what it was about - but I still need a healing miracle and I wanted to learn anything that Dick had to share. It's a very moving, personal account of the miracle of God saving the life of Dick's wife, Ruth. As I listened to Dick's message on those who hold the ropes - I realized even more than I already was aware that all those reading my updates have "held the ropes" for us these 5+ years on our unexpected journey. I am deeply thankful - from the bottom of my heart thankful - that so many have been there for us. The love, faith, and prayers have held the ropes for us. I'm so grateful!
We saw many miracles during those 5 years. Actually there were several times when I thought Floyd would be entering heaven's gates, and we saw a miracle of God keeping him alive here on earth. I don't understand it all, and I don't need to - I'm just grateful for the miracles. And I'm grateful for all the prayers.
The last couple years we have prayed for “healing or heaven” for Floyd. Of course we hoped for healing – but God chose heaven. I trust that choice completely – and, ultimately, Floyd is now healed too. He got both answers.
"I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Psalm 16:8
"Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10
He has been at my right hand - He has been my refuge - He is the strong tower I run to......I trust God to be with me as I continue the journey. He has been so faithful! And He is completely trustworthy.