Here Comes the Hard Stuff

Ever heard the expression "When it rains, it pours?" I think that's a perfect way to explain all the family drama going on these days. I almost saw it coming. I've been in such a good place lately, it seemed like it was all too good to be true. Like something was bound to fall apart. Well, today has not been that great as far as my family goes. And it was my mother's birthday. We were supposed to be celebrating, but instead I find myself snapping into the role of dutiful daughter. My mom had a routine eye appointment today. She had laser surgery in both eyes a little over seven years ago to correct diabetic retinopathy. As far as diabetic complications go, hers have been very limited. The retinopathy has really been all. We thought it was all behind us. And then her doctor found bleeding in her right eye and she has to have another laser surgery this week. I'm so thankful she went to the doctor today because, otherwise, they wouldn't have seen it. Retinopathy left untreated can lead to blindness. So I can definitely see God's presence already in this situation. I just feel like she's dealt with her fair share of illness these past few weeks. First with her finger that led to surgery and a four-day hospital stay and now this. She really needs a few weeks to be healthy. Hopefully, we'll get this taken care of Thursday and she can start to heal and truly celebrate her 49th year of life. And then there's my cousin, Shanon. For the past year or so, my cousin and her husband have been going through the adoption process: saving their money in hopes that they will adopt a baby from Russia sometime in the near future. So far, everything has gone fairly smoothly. They have trusted the Lord in it all and He has guided them through. Then today they found out that the home study agency they've been using is on a list sent from Russia that they will not accept. I don't know the extent of what this means yet, but it's not a step forward. They will most likely be out the money, which they cannot afford to lose right now, and have to take a few steps back to begin the home study again. I know it's incredibly frustrating for them. It is for me, an outsider looking in. I've watched them struggle through this year and I want this so bad for them. They are going to be fantastic parents and they deserve it so badly. We all truly believe God has His hand on this and He will lead them through the hard stuff. There's a story in the Bible where Jesus is in a boat with His disciples and a bad storm comes up on them. There's a verse that says, "He carried them through to the other side." God never promised us life would be easy. We all have our hardships, no doubt. But He promised us we would never have to go it alone. He promised He would take us through to the other side, see us through the hard times. I choose to see these family issues as a test of faith, to see how much we are truly depending on the Lord. That's the definition of faith anyway, right? Forsaking all I TRUST Him. It's going to be a bumpy ride, but the Lord is with us. Enough said.