When times are good
Today I am very much reminded of this verse
Ecclesiastes 7:14 (New International Version)
14 When times are good, be happy;
but when times are bad, consider:
God has made the one
as well as the other.
Therefore, a man cannot discover
anything about his future
Looks like that happy settled Aria of old is gone and the unhappy, unsettle Aria has returned. Nothing clinical to pin this down too of course except that her liver is failing and she is a sick little girl. It was nice while it lasted of course. God has made both situations.
Aria has been listed at Status One for almost 5 weeks now. During that time we have only got one offer of organs. I don’t want to say to much but the team are trying a new approach to see if they will get more calls.
Today I just find myself back to so desperately wanting that transplant for Aria. While she is happy I don’t pray as hard. Confession time? I just enjoy her and a tiny part of my doesn’t want transplant because happy Aria will be replaced with very sick Aria. Having four organs removed and replaced makes someone (hopefully only temporarily) pretty under the weather. That is the thinking that comes with only living in the day as we have learned to do.
Only God knows the future for Aria and the exact moment when we will get ‘The Call’ Sometimes I wonder if I think of new and creative ways to pray He will hear me more. That’s human thinking for you. Maybe if I prayed every hour of every day them might come quicker. Sigh.
It is draining. She is so tough to deal with and I find myself frustrated and guilty. Frustrated that my life isn’t easier and guilty because it is Aria that is actually suffering and my only emotion should be compassion for her.
Anyway, it is 11.30am here and Aria is sleeping. better go.
22 Responses to “When times are good”
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# 13 Jan at 6:11 am
Feeling so much for you as I read this post. Praying that God will continue to be your comfort as he always has been and will be, and for organs to arrive in God’s perfect timing.
(((Hamish, Anita, Aria & Asher))) Love to you all.
# 13 Jan at 6:45 am
Sending you a huge hug. I truely hope that those organs come soon.
# 13 Jan at 7:46 am
I only can say that I will be putting those laws of attraction into action from my end. You are allowed to feel what you feel it makes you who you are and has no doubt made Aria the amazing little girl she is. My thoughts and heart felt wishes are sent your way every minute of every day.
# 13 Jan at 8:15 am
You are only human and these are all normal emotions waiting for transplant. Organs will come when they are supposed to and we all know there is nothing you can do to hurry them up. You are doing the right thing living in the moment so enjoy those times without guilt or feeling like you are preventing things from moving forward.
# 13 Jan at 8:43 am
Love and hugs to you all! Just remember when you are too exhausted to pray we are all here to stand in the gap and pray for you… that’s all we can do 🙁 You two are amazing parents and are a tower of strength and encouragement. xxx
# 13 Jan at 8:45 am
You are lifted high on wings of prayer and much love.
God bless you as only He can.
Eve (England)
# 13 Jan at 8:51 am
please don’t feel guilty for the very natural and understandable jumble of emotions you feel- you are caring (human) parents- what else would anyone expect. you are right- we do tend to think-“if I prayed better/harder/more/differentlt/etc” but I think that is just another lie- GOD LOVES YOU AND YOUR FAMILY- thats the truth
# 13 Jan at 9:06 am
Lots of hugs to you all, you are all firmly in our thoughts. Xxx
# 13 Jan at 9:07 am
Prayers are with you guys! We know that God is in control of all things so don’t feel guilty about your mix of emotions. He has the timing all sussed out which is comforting to know seen He always knows best. Love you guys lots, Lou K xo
# 13 Jan at 9:24 am
Don’t feel guilty for enjoying those good times and not praying as much as you think you should. God has sent those good times for you to enjoy and to help lift your spirits. He has sent them to remind you that He loves you all very much and He is in control and will only give you as much as you can handle. We are all praying for you to help lighten your burnden so if all you can manage is a few short prayers here and there don’t worry, I’m sure He understands.
# 13 Jan at 9:32 am
Hi family
Off your website but all true. Trust Him. Praying for you all.
For I know the plans I have for you,†declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.â€
– Jeremiah 29:11
# 13 Jan at 10:29 am
Huge love to you xoxo
# 13 Jan at 10:48 am
Like everyone before me has said we are all thinking, and praying for you. Sending you loads of hugs and love to all the Macdonalds.
🙂 Kia kaha
# 13 Jan at 11:25 am
Feeling for you all so much right now. The ups and downs must be really hard going. God is working no matter what you do or don’t do and He loves Aria so much. Our kids are really God’s – just given to us to look after for a little while. You are doing an amazing job of that! Still praying for you all.
# 13 Jan at 11:26 am
Yes – we realise the depth of our humanity when times are harder and we suddenly pray more! Man we are so much thinking of you and praying for you and holding you all so dear in our hearts. Much, much love to you.
# 13 Jan at 12:26 pm
Hi Anita, you do such a wonderful job of expressing what you’re going through. And I can so understand why you’d feel frustrated. Everyone who knows you knows that you love Aria passionately and are doing everything you possibly can for her. God Bless you and your whanau.
# 13 Jan at 1:03 pm
I’m sorry to hear that she isn’t well! I fervently pray that those organs will come through soon!
# 13 Jan at 3:47 pm
Your faith and trust in God are an inspiration to us all. We send you some big bear hugs and a reminder that when you can’t pray we are here to say the words for you. God understands and can cope with your emotional rollercoaster! Oh how he loves you! xxxxxxxxxxxx
# 13 Jan at 4:14 pm
Hey it’s not just Aria’s journey, it belongs to all of you. It is a very lonely journey for you right now too so I can understand your frustration. No one else really knows the feelings and intensity of those feelings that you are having. BUT please know that you are an inspiration to all of us supporting you by just being yourself. Always thinking of you all xxx
# 13 Jan at 6:09 pm
Recently, I’ve been stirred by John Piper’s coolaz statement about patience that you and Ham epitomise: “Waiting in that unplanned place-enduring in that unplanned pace” or something like that… Your patience reflects your faith in the hope of Gods Future Grace, and thats pretty much the bottom line for us Christian Soldiers. You remind us when everything else is caving in on us, to hold the bottom line. Thanks heaps. love you guys xoxo to Aria and Ash
# 14 Jan at 12:41 am
LOVE you all SO MUCH!!!!Praying…………..
When the darkness closes in LORD, still I will say,
Blessed be the name of the LORD!!!!
(Thank you for living this out!)
# 14 Jan at 6:06 am
praying for you all
May God give you the strength you all need
HUGS