07.12.06 thequest UPdate

thequest family,

About a month ago I got an amazing email. It was about true life transformation and God's careful watch over each of us. It was amazing the place where I received it. It was while I was at a funeral. I was thinking about death and all the stuff that rumbles around in your brain. Then this message:

Friday June 16

Hi Mike,

I just wanted to share with you, and those in the church who remember us, what God has done. He has been teaching me about the juicy sweet principle of submission. We have our vivacious daughter Annabelle, at whose birth you all rejoiced with us. I had hoped to be the mother of many more children (6 or 8 sounded good), but that did not seem to be happening. I used the birth control recommended by my doctor after Annabelle's birth, and it had a rare reaction in rendering me completely infertile for the past three years. Patrick did not feel that we should use chemicals or surgical procedures to become pregnant and he also did not feel comfortable with adoption.

So God has been teaching me to submit to Patrick's leadership and decisions, and to do so in love and trust and joy. I needed to trust that God is in charge of my body and of my husband's decisions. So for the last year, I have focused on contentment. God has been teaching me to be content and satisfied with Jesus as all I need and want. He has sent me to the Bible over and over again to learn more of who He is and how He cares for us. My relationship with the Lord has deepened over this year. And there have been days where I have failed and have longed for another child, but God always gently led me back to his side and said, "Am I not enough for you? Am I not better to you than ten sons?" And my heart would be quiet again.

In His great mercy, God miraculously healed my body and we have learned of the new child He is forming in me. This child is a gift and a treasure. And I know that God needed to shape and form my heart into the tool He plans to use in this child's life and I need to remain in submission to my God and my husband for Him to do His best work. So rejoice with us and praise God for His great work.

In God's gentle hands,

Melody


What a miraculous story. I was delighted, overjoyed...even though sitting in a funeral. Within moments, the minister read the deceased's favorite passage:


Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge,

my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him.

For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague.

He will shield you with his wings.

He will shelter you with his feathers.

His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day,

nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you,

these evils will not touch you.

But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished.
If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,

no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling.

For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go.

They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone.

You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes;

you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.

When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.

I will rescue them and honor them.

I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation. Psalm 91 NLT

That passage I immediately emailed back to Melody.

It has been a passage that I've referred to dozens of times in the last month. It is a beautiful and truthful description of our God and his ever-caring eye over each one who follows Jesus.

I trust that this letter and this passage might encourage you for the days ahead.

Press on,

Mike


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