Reflections on this past week

We so easily make assumptions about what the coming week, month or year will involve, as if we were masters of our own destinies. This time last week we were expecting that Marcus would start looking for a job to replace the one he finished before Christmas. Also having been away from home since Tuesday 27th there would be lots to catch up on with Friends of Mandritsara.

But last Monday night (2 Feb) our granddaughter Phoebe Joy was taken to hospital in an ambulance suffering from vomiting, a headache and in a confused state. Phoebe and her mum, Rachel, spent the night in the Sheffield Children's Hospital. About midday on Tuesday (3 Feb) we received a phone call from Matt, our son-in-law, telling us that dear little Phoebe had just been diagnosed with a brain tumour the size of a golf ball. These three words "brain", "tumour" and "golf-ball" were devastating. How could the head of a five year old contain something the size of a golf ball? He went on to say that surgery was planned for the next morning. Whatever would be the impact of this on Phoebe?

Yet it was that at this point we had to decide how would we react to all this? We profess to believe in a gracious and loving God. So what did all this mean? We were reminded of a sermon we had heard nine days before on the life of Job, who had just suffered the loss of his wealth and then his ten children. His wife's suggestion was: "Curse God and die!” Job's amazing response was:  “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” What right do we have to expect God always to do things for our personal pleasure, and not trust him in the difficult times?

We have been granted such peace through these last few days which at times feel like weeks. We have heard of people who are praying for us around this country, at home, in churches, even abroad. Hundreds have been following Facebook, blogs and Twitter. We have been surprised and delighted. And this has given us opportunities to speak about our Saviour Jesus.

We have been amazed to see how well the operation has gone, and to see the Phoebe we know and love return to us bit by bit. Her smile, her giggles, her courage, her whispering to us, and even sitting and standing up. It is amazing that such massive invasion of her head can be done with such skill and care that the real Phoebe has been left intact.

As we look back over recent weeks and months we see how again and again God was preparing us for this week.
In October 2000 Rachel had no thoughts about children and hospitals when she came to Sheffield for university, yet she stayed here after uni and is living within two miles of the Sheffield Children's Hospital!
Jen and I moved up to be near Rachel, Matt, Phoebe and Reuben in June 2013. We thought this was to help Rachel out with Reuben and because it was cheaper to rent in Sheffield than Stevenage. But this week we have been on hand to care for Reuben while Rachel and Matt have been focussing on Phoebe.
Last summer when Rachel worked part-time for her old job, HFT, Jen looked after Reuben 2 days a week, so Reuben got to know her well and has been very happy this week without mum, dad and Phoebe about, which is a another great blessing.
We are continually amazed at God's gracious providence in our lives.

We are proving the truth of Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."