Keep Singing His Praise

"Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for Him.'"

- Lamentations 3:23-25

The recent updates are mixed with heavy sorrow yet rays of hope, however dimly it may be at times. Every day seems to be filled with some of both. But God's mercies are new every morning, so let us corporately praise Him together with Mike & Esther for His faithful love, remembering His goodness in these ways:

1. Praise God that the spinal tap showed no cancer in Ava's brain/spinal fluid!
2. Praise God for this wonderful community of family, friends (and even strangers!) who have gathered around the Lee family, helping to carry their burden and ease the weight. It is a work of God to have so many people unite in purpose and love.
3. Praise God for the medical staff who have been so compassionately caring for Ava.
4. Praise God for His strength that carries us through. It may not always make us "feel" strong, and there are many times we feel like crumbling, but His hands are ever so faithful in keeping us in His care.
5. Praise God for His reflection in Ava and Gwen's relationship as sisters. It is a special bond that truly reflects the love of our Lord.
6. Praise God that the leukemia was found at this time, and not at a later date.
7. Praise God that Ava had a routine CBC done before the end of December so the doctors had something to compare it to when she was admitted to Lutheran General last week with a WBC of 82,000. We also praise Him for this because we know it was caught early - no need to dwell on wondering how long this was going on before anyone knew.
8. Praise God because though we only know in part, He knows all things and is the source of all wisdom. Isaiah 55:9-10 says: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
9. Praise God because He IS love. We only know what love is because He first demonstrated it to us in Christ. Psalm 103:11 says: "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him." His love is even greater than we will ever comprehend.
10. Praise God because He is worthy of it, in and of Himself, not tied to any circumstance or outcome.

Let us never cease to sing His praises, for all glory belongs to God.

As this song expresses, let us walk by faith, not by sight.

Patty