Desperate Cries

My life is easy. Compared to most of the world I am a rich, rich man. Not only do I have a bed, food, and a roof over my head, I have a thermostat, which is quite possibly the world's greatest invention. Mankind has been dreaming of such a device since creation. Imagine every man, woman, and child bundling up in the bed wishing it was just a little warmer. On the other hand, think of those sweating restlessly as they try to sleep. Finally, we can change the weather by a simple stroke of a finger.
My life has been good: college, seminary, and MARRIAGE. God has blessed me with great opportunities that I am very thankful for, but in recent days, there has been great cause for sadness. Both sets of Karen's grandparents have health issues, and my grandmother has heart trouble. Cindy, my sister, has been undergoing radiation treatment for melanoma. The radiation finally began last week, which was a long time coming. First, she underwent surgery to remove as much of the tumor on her vertebrae as possible. This surgery was a huge success. The neurosurgeon removed a great deal of the tumor, more than he had anticipated. Due to the second tumor in her left scapula, the surgeon did not do the more invasive surgery as originally planned. Thus, Cindy is now going through her second week of radiation. After her treatment is complete, she will have a CAT scan to see if all the cancer has been wiped out. If not, she will begin immuno-therapy. This treatment is comparable to chemotherapy, but I don't understand the similarities and differences.
Karen and I are (have) moving to Chicago for her to complete her Doctorate of Psychology at the Cornerstone Counseling Agency through the Chicago Area Christian Training Consortium. We are tremendously excited about this opportunity for a multitude of reasons. Karen is so talented and gifted. Rather than spending her energy battling a naturalistic worldview, she will be fully able to direct children and families to Christ and truth. God answered many prayers with this residency placement. I can't tell you how excited I am for my wife to finish her degree in this way. God has gifted her in many ways, and I long to see the great ways that she will bear fruit for Him.
Nearly two weeks ago another couple along with Karen and I shared a moving truck and moved to Chicago. After unloading two households and a few days of unpacking, Karen drove back to Louisville where she is still serving out the last few days of her job. The plan was for me to stay in Chicago and work for Sprint.
Our blow came last Tuesday when I almost began a job with Sprint. I did not receive the job due to a technicality on the application. The news blindsided us and has left me in a tight spot trying to find employment in a short amount of time.
With all of this being said, I know that God is good and He desires me to long for Him, to depend on Him. People often know this fact, but living it out is difficult. After the news broke of my unemployment, I sat in a parking lot in a foreign land with no clue where I was and no where to go. I called our friends Uche and Melissa, who had moved with us. I stayed with them Tuesday and afterwards called them repeatedly with other needs. I kept thinking that I had to call someone else, but there was no one else. On Thursday my dad drove to Chicago to be with me and help me look for a job. He and I cranked out a few hours of work together, but I can't tell you how much it meant to me having my father with me in my time of need. Not only was his presence a great comfort, but he brought financial help. Here I am, a 29 years old husband who should be providing on his own at this point, but I am still so needy. I have been greatly humbled in these days.
This humbling has been driving me to depend on God. A dependence that is constantly praising God for how powerful and magnificient of a God He is. I truly have to take Him at His Word that He will provide for all of my needs, He will complete the work He began in me, and that He has blessed me with all spiritual blessings in Christ.
It was hard for me to accept my majestic father driving to Chicago to deal with my problems. The reality is that he desired to be with me because he loves me. In the same way God came to this world to take care of all my problems because He loves me. My father is a great man that loves me and loves me and loves me. I am so thankful for Him as he lives out such a biblical picture of fatherly love.
This time in my life has been difficult. I do ask that you pray for my sister to be healed 100% of all her cancer and limited arm mobility. May God be glorified by this miraculous work. Pray for our grandparents to be healed. May God be glorified in the same way. Pray that I will find employment and sooner rather than later. May God be glorified as I seek Him in these times to provide for all of my needs and my family's needs.