Proverbs, chapter 19

I apologize if my thoughts are distracted slightly this morning. I was speaking with my father last night on the phone and he gave me a prayer request I am trying to pass on to as many people as possible. There is a long-time friend of the family that is in need of God’s love this week. Years ago, he and his wife adopted a pair of little girls from China. His oldest, a 10-year old, was diagnosed with a brain tumor two years ago. It has since grown to the point where she must have surgery this coming Friday to remove it.

It is not going to be an easy surgery. If they do nothing, she will die, as it is causing seizures and affecting her elsewhere. The surgery itself is dangerous. It will last at least eight hours and there is no guarantee she will survive the surgery.

11 A man's wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense. – Proverbs 19:11

God has certainly granted David patience lately. There is nothing in the parenting manual that tells you what to do when your 10-year old daughter asks you if she is going to die and you don’t have a definite positive answer for her. God, however, is infinitely patient. I know David has walked with the Lord for a long time. I know he knows that in the Lord lies strength. We are promised that many times here in the book of Proverbs.

21 Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. – Proverbs 19:21

This is certainly not a plan that David had. No one plans for this. No one plans to have their daughter ask if her cousins can come visit one more time in case she doesn’t make it. No 10-year old girls should ever have to deal with this. Though we do not understand, we must know that the Lord’s purpose will prevail in this, and that purpose is never wrong.

If you have a chance, please pray for young Amberly this week. Pray that God will give her and her family strength, comfort, and healing. Pray that God will guide the doctor’s hands during this surgery. Pray God will give the doctors wisdom to do what needs to be done. This is something that is too big for anyone to handle. Only the Lord can triumph on this day, so please lift this family up in prayer if you get a chance.