Sep 12, 2009

Are you sure?


I was going through my Facebook newsfeed just now and saw that a couple of friends had joined a group called "I am Praying for Lydia Byrd." I wasn't necessarily planning to join this group but wasn't sure I wouldn't join either. When I clicked J's profile I saw that it appeared this little girl was a friend of her 5-year old daughter's - so I clicked the group page. Lydia has what may be an inoperable brain tumor. Upon realizing that yes, she was a friend of J's daughter, I joined the group.

When I clicked "Join Group," a box popped up that said, "Are you sure you want to join the group 'I am Praying for Lydia Byrd?"

Yes, of course I'm sure. But this prompt really made me think. Soooo many times I have someone say something and I respond with, I'll pray for you. I do pray for them. Only sometimes, it might not be as fervent as I plan...

I want to be better at that. I want to really pray when I say I will. I want to passionately pray. I'm learning to do this. I fail all of the time. But isn't that what life is about? Failing miserably only to learn great lessons from which we apply to our next challange? Not that we won't be great people and do great things, but as Christians, do we not fail every day? When I read The Shack I learned that JOY (Jesus first, others second, yourself last) really isn't the way God would have it. Jesus should be center. HE should be in the center of all that we do. HE is not for us to put in a box and bring out only when we need HIM, but He should be the CENTER of all that we do. Every day.

**I was able to chat with J just now on Facebook. It sounds as if Lydia's time on earth may be very, very short. Not sure the details on her tumor but from what I've been able to piece together it sounds very fast growing. There is no treatment.

Please, pray for Lydia's family. If it is God's plan to take her home, please pray for comfort for her family. Pray for Lydia's friends, that their parents will have words explain what is happening to their friend. We were not made to understand WHY, but we can be comforted in knowing that HE is in control and has our lives planned for us from even before the beginning of our being.

If you're on Facebook, search for the group, "I am Praying for Lydia Byrd." Let the family know how many prayers are being said for them.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:6

Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. in My Father's house are many mansions.
John 14:1-3

1 comment:

Kari said...

WOOOWWW Gin, you were so close. I'm wondering if the person who made the big hit had nooo idea? If I don't hear from them in 24 hrs the prize goes to you!!!
Here is my personal email #
karigib@gmail.com
You can email me & give me a shipping address to send your prize:)
Cross your fingers!
Kari

"Sometimes I'd like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine, and injustice in the world when He could do something about it, but I'm afraid God would ask me the same question."
-Anonymous
You don't change the world by trying to change the world; you change the world by changing yourself.
-Gerry Straub