The Bodda Getta

Prayers sent. Thank you Lord for answering our prayers!

It would be my honor.

When I read your post, the first thing I thought of is a great pastor at a great church up in Dallas called the The Village Church. His name is Matt Chandler, and he isn't much older than your son (mid-30s I believe).

A few Thanksgiving's ago (2009 maybe?) he had a seizure out of the blue, had a CAT scan done, and a tumor was found on his brain. Of all the kinds of growths it could be, it was one of the more aggressive, invasive kinds. In other words, it was bad news. But in 2013, he's still pastoring his church and has quite the testimony thus far into the journey the Lord has allowed him to experience.

I say "allowed him to experience", because if dependence on the Lord is our goal, which it should be, then weakness is actually an advantage to that goal. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12 that it's in these hard times, when we find ourselves "weak", that God has opportunity to be our strength.

9 But he said to me, “My grace is SUFFICIENT for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am CONTENT with weaknesses, insults, HARDSHIPS, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Its in these moments that we (you) have an opportunity to lean on His strength in a way that many Americans have a hard time experiencing (because, let's face it, our life here as Christians isn't always "challenging", as we have soooo much, generally speaking, and aren't really persecuted or challenged to "stand" for Him very often). We want to trust in Him, but honestly, a lot of us find that hard to do in the mundane, daily life we typically live.

But hard times are actually an opportunity to indulge in his endless Grace. How often in life do we get to really test the limits of what He can cover, what He can handle for us and through us? The greater the challenge, the greater the opportunity to see Him work.

During this time, trust that He will be your strength, that His good and perfect will be done, and that through it all, no matter the outcome, you will be blessed to be able to spend this time so close to the Lord, and know Him more because of it. And then, no matter the outcome, give Him the glory for being sufficient to all you need.

I've attached a short video that Matt Chandler made prior to his surgery and treatments. He conveys an attitude and outlook that comes from someone that sees ANYTHING and EVERYTHING as an opportunity to know God more. I encourage you to look around on Youtube and the Village website for different messages he's given, especially those regarding suffering and trusting in the sovereignty of God. He's pretty darn good.

My wife is due to have our third little girl any day now...literally any hour. As I pray for her, I'll remember your son each time. Know that He is good. Know that He is sufficient.

God bless.

My prayers go out to your son and your family!

God bless your son and all your family. Prayers lifted.

prayers lifted.

Prayers continue to be lifted for your son and your family!

You and your's are in my prayers. God bless.