Wednesday, July 20, 2011

our end. His beginning.

Friends-

For You meet him with the blessings of goodness; You set a crown of pure gold upon his head. He asked life from You, and You gave it to him--” Psalm 21:3-4

Life. That beautiful word holds more than Becca’s soul and spirit in it. Right now, it’s holding Dustin, two little Becca’s, immediate family (us), church body, friends, and those of you who are reading this entry. Becca’s life has weaved us all together by the unique relationship that each one of us have with her. Thank-you, Becca. Thank-you, God.

Before I attempt to answer some questions, I need to let everyone know, just in case there is any question, that I am not a blogger. You, who are faithful to this blog, are not the least bit surprised by this confession, seeing how long that is has been since my previous entry was posted. That said, I apologize for the silence that I created by not writing. This blog has been a precious part of Becca’s life over this season, and I am honored to voice a few words on it.

As I look at my last post, I realize that it was spontaneously put out there and never followed up on. I apologize for that and to catch you up during those three days we chose to not look just by sight, but with Faith, and with our Father's eyes at Becca's situation. We have been deeply encouraged by His words spoken through specific verses He showed different ones of us and many of you. We were also able to spend some time as a family in prayer and worship that left us with a deep peace and rest and knowing that He is GOOD. That might sound trite, but we feel that reality surrounding us daily.You presence during those 3 days of fasting was appreciated. Thank you all.

How is Becca....

Becca is not doing well in a physical sense. Her body is growing weaker and more frail. The past few days she’s only been able to get a few bites down, and is sipping on fluids. She has been on hospice for a week, and they have provided some helpful tools so that it’s easier for her to get in and out of bed. Time spent with Becca is precious. Bringing up names of people dear to her heart, ALWAYS makes her smile. always. Today her cravings were a lemonade icy, or a rasberry milkshake. Although her strict diet at the moment allows for neither of these ):.

It’s hard to know what to write. Looking through our physical eyes, I see a perfect opportunity for a miracle. God always delights to work in unimaginable ways for His glory and so that is how we feel led to pray.I was encouraged the other day by Streams in the Desert, it reads,“is the Lord being quiet with you? Nevertheless, He is attentive and still sees everything. He has His finger on your pulse and is extremely sensitive to even the slightest change. And He will come to save you when the perfect moment has arrived.”

Tonight, as we gathered around Becca as family for prayer, I got a tingle of excitement in my core. 2 Chron. 20:17,22 was being unveiled before my eyes. We, as humans, have come to an end of ideas, procedures, and plans. That’s where my tingle came in. As I thought that, another Voice whispered through, “Yes. That’s where I am.” That’s what He desires in every situation. Or as Jennifer Miller put it, unless He shows up, we’re dust, that the power may be of God and not of us (2 Corinthians 4:7). We can’t DO anything except believe and trust our great God for miracles that only He can do. “Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you” (2 Chronicles 20:17).

He IS at the end.

As we come more and more into that position of standing still, we desire to extend the strategy that He’s placed on our hearts to you as well. The past week as a family, we’ve gotten into the habit of gathering around Becca’s bed and praying before we end the day. Since Karis and Gabi go to bed earlier, we’ve decided to roughly put the time at 7 p.m.Physically you do not have to join us, but if we could all corporately set our eyes on Him at that time, I feel His pleasure in that.
-7p.m each night (until further notice) breathe a prayer and lift your eyes to Him.

Also, my parent’s want to open up the house every Monday night for a worship and prayer evening. Bring yourself, a prayer, song, note, poem, etc.
Time: 7 p.m. (6:45)
Place: Swanson’s house (440 NW 126th Ave, Slater, IA 50244.)
When: Every Monday evening until posted otherwise.

Lately, I have been challenged by the testimony, faith, and hope of David in 1 Samuel 12: 16-23. Contrary to even God’s word about the death of his son, he hoped. He knew that God is capable of ANYTHING. Even changing His mind.

Where there’s breath there’s life. Where there’s life there’s hope. Where there’s hope, there’s God.

He is always there at our end. It’s His beginning.


for His glory,

Rachel

8 comments:

belehcar said...

I'll be fasting and praying for Becca!

Christy said...

Praying! Thank you for the update and for encouraging us through the faith of Becca and your family at a time like this. I am continually learning through Becca.

Amy said...

You are Near

Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side.
You guard me from the foe,
and you lead me in ways everlasting.

Lord you have searched my heart
And you know when I sit and when I stand.
You hand is upon me,
protecting me from death,
keeping me from harm.

Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side.
You guard me from the foe,
and you lead me in ways everlasting.

Where can I run from your love?
If I climb to the heavens you are there;
If I fly to the sunrise
Or sail beyond the sea,
still I'd find you there.

You know my heart and its ways,
You who formed me before I as born,
In the secret of darkness before I saw the sun,
In my mothers womb.

Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side.
You guard me from the foe,
and you lead me in ways everlasting.

Marvelous to me are your works;
How profound are your thoughts my Lord.
Even if I could count them
They number as the stars,
You would still be there.

Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side.
You guard me from the foe,
and you lead me in ways everlasting.

By Dan Schutte, based on psalm 139
Words and music (c) 1981

Praying without ceasing for Becca and all who love her ~ Amy Berger (SBC member)

Lindsey,Alyssa and Carly said...

Praying!! From Fargo, friend of Jess's.

Jennifer said...

Rachel, Thank you for your update. We are praying for Becca. Please tell her hello from Anna (Becca was her first violin teacher) and the rest of the Ericksons. We love her.

Jennifer

LoDud said...

Thanks for updating us, Rachel. Please tell Becca "Hi" from Lois & Rachel Dudley--we are praying for her, and all the family. Love in Christ, Lois

jenica said...

I am praying for Becca! (The Reeves are in our church family.)

Anne said...

my sin o the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin not in part but the whole. Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more Praise the Lord praise the Lord O my soul.....
Thankful the Savior is walking beside each of you. Praying for Dustin and the girls!