7.15 p.m…
Her darkest hour; His brightest moment; His darkest hour; her brightest moment…
That’s one of the ways that I have come to think about Irene’s experience with Primary Amyloidosis. Let me explain.
Paul the apostle says that adversity always means advance (Phil 1:12). Peter says that we are being purified like gold being refined through fire (1 Peter 1:7). There are hundreds of additional scriptural illustrations which illuminate that the most trying of times bring about God’s glory.
And so it is so with Irene. God is using the Amyloid disease that struck Irene’s body to glorify His Name. My new friend, John Grover, put it this way…
“I am feeling both sorrow and joy at the same time. Sorrow for the uncertainty and pain your family is going through but joy for the wonderful testimony from you, Irene and your daughters. The Lord loves your family a great deal, Dave. Scripture talks about those faithful saints who have been tested and refined more than most. I think he only refines to this degree those that are the finest and most capable of producing a Christ-like response that brings him great pleasure and glory.” (email dated: June 9, 2007).
…and that is how I would describe Irene. Her Christ-like response to this hideous disease, (perhaps her darkest hour), is also possibly her greatest opportunity to testify of her faith, trust and confidence in Jesus, (perhaps His brightest moment in her). And she is doing just that. I stand in awe of her courageous and gentle response to all that she has encountered…and, as you can imagine, my updates cannot come close to describing the brutal nature of that which she has truly endured.
Jesus died for Irene in “His darkest hour” in order for her to enjoy “her brightest moment” which is to glorify Him on earth (perhaps especially by encountering the Amyloid) and to live with him in heaven forever! That Christ would die not only for Irene but for all people and for the sins of the world is difficult to imagine, much less comprehend!!
Irene is having a restful day and enjoying our home (especially Jocelyn & JoAnna being around, of course!). She knows the journey in front of her is a long and challenging one and not one that she would necessarily choose. However, knowing that she is on this road, she chooses to walk this journey with joy, peace, and confidence in our living Lord.
And so it is…”her darkest hour” is perhaps for His brightest moment in her and we know with confidence that “His darkest hour” (death on the cross) is for her brightest moment…now and forevermore!
Caminando Con Fe’
Dave
