All things through Him who strengthens!
June 20, 2009 by Luci Wilder
Filed under Jennifer & Chris
I was going to save this discussion for tomorrow or early next week… but it’s laying on my mind and heart… so… no time like the present…
Our Lord God is INCREDIBLE! He’s got the whole world in His hands! He never leaves us nor forsakes us! He knows the plans He has towards us for good and not for evil! I Corinthians 2:9, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
God does hear us! He does answer us! Even though we only see a tiny, little, teeny bit of “it”… even though we can’t always hear (or like) His answers… my God started answering today’s prayers several months ago…
I love our Lord! He’s awesome. To those of you who do not believe, who do not have the hope that I do… I am truly sorry…
This morning, I was very, very worried about Chris and Jennifer… as you can perhaps tell from my previous blog… even though we’ve had additional difficult news… I still know who’s in control… Jesus… who loves us beyond everything… Jesus!
Chris & Jennifer were long haul truck drivers, living in the cab of their truck for the most part… when they had an accident in Murray, Kentucky… I am here to tell you there are NO accidents in life (nor luck, nor fate)… but there is God.. my Lord took my son and his wife to a truly wonderful small American town, where the First Baptist Church of Murray has a heart as big as “all outdoors”.
They’ve taken care of the kid’s transportation problems for Jennifer’s treatment, and they have a Family Crisis Fund which is helping with their bills. But they have a lot more than that…
They have a light that they let shine for two young people, in a strange town, where they didn’t know anyone… and gave them so much love, that Chris and Jennifer didn’t want to “move on”… they found a community that made them very, very welcome and gave them love and made them feel like family.
John 13:35 says, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
That’s what the folks in Murray, Kentucky do… they have love one for another… even if you didn’t grow up there, even if you hadn’t been there more than a few days…. they simply love, because our Lord has shown them how.
With a world that’s all messed up… people starving… being beaten, robbed, murdered, raped… a billion different horrible diseases… the folks of Murray, Kentucky… just made Chris and Jennifer feel at home… because… they know the love of the Lord, and have let His light so shine in them…
… Today, I am one mother who can rest easy, knowing my children, so far away, going through such a devastatingly difficult time, are well loved and cared for… they aren’t alone.
One of the most difficult things for a mother to accept is that she can’t fix some particular hurt or wrong in her children’s lives… my mother’s like that… at 77 she still wants (and succeeds) to help her kids and grandkids get through the tough spots… she’d like to “fix” it for them, and often can’t… I’m just learning this truth… and while earthly mothers can’t fix everything …. our Lord can.
He looked down the road of Chris and Jennifer’s life and knew exactly where they needed to be when really tough times were to hit, who they needed to be with… and for whatever His reasons are… (His mind is so far above ours)… He knows exactly what’s best for every single person touched by these life events.
Chris, just called and the “things” on Jennifer’s liver are indeed cancer. It’s spread. She been upgraded to stage 4.
I praise my Lord for the good folks in Murray, Kentucky and the Church family of the First Baptist Church there. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping my kids. Thank you for the love you’ve given them. Thank you! The Lord has used you to answer the prayers I have today for my kids.
I think you have done an awesome job with our Website!!! Much better than a lot I have Seen! Even better than Mikes’ !!!!!! (-; Of course that is a very biased opinion!!!!!!!! (-;
Hey momma,
I thought it would be nice to let you and everyone else know that I am very thankful.
It amazes me how many people have reached out in this time of need. I have never personally seen so many people so much love. I am blessed to say that I can experience the out pour of love, because it teaches me to be a better person, and I am seeing God in so many ways I never had before.
I dont think Chris and I have enough words to express how we feel, but I know anyone reading this (and that have been keeping up with us) can imagine how blessed we both feel.
Luci & Gordon, you both came into my life over three years ago, and you have shown me nothing but unconditional love. I have to admit that you have been a postive parental models in my life. You both are great. Luci, Momma, my heart feels as if it would explode when I think of all the things you have done to help, and all the things you have said to help me, and your little nudge to the Lord. I was lost before you came along, I mean that with all of my heart. You help save me.
Thank you for the best husband ever. Thank you for the best family ever.
You heard about my cancer and you have done everything in your power to help and everything you could do to make us happy.
I used to hope that I could do something so much greater for people like you, but a dear friend of mine tells me that I am already doing alot by letting people get blessings by helping out.
So if that’s all I can give, and that makes people happy.. then I am happy!
I know I might not have all the words here right now to say, but please know that I love you.
You always give me great bible verses, so I thought of one for you… I dont know it by heart, but when I read this, I think of being thankful for the Lord, and for you and everything…
Psalm 100 (KJV)
“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”
Your daughter-in-law forever and always,
Jennifer Johnson
I love you momma.
Wow! You humble me and bring tears to this Mom’s eyes. Thank you Sweetie