He gathers the lambs in his arms...

We have posted before about our friend Sandra, who suffered an aneurysm late November last year.  She miraculously pulled through the delicate brain surgeries and has physically recovered remarkably well.  This truly is a miracle from God, as the doctors didn't give her much chance to survive.  What a huge change from seeing her almost lifeless body a few months ago being kept alive by machines.  Now she can freely move about the room.


A couple of weeks ago she was moved to another hospital a little closer to her family.  And although she recognizes people, there is still a lot of confusion in her memory.  She has difficulty communicating and we have a hard time understanding what she means.  At times the frustration is hard for her and will bring tears to her eyes.  And it is hard to see her go through this.


Yesterday morning (Friday) the apartment building where she resided before her hospitalization was destroyed by fire.  Thankfully no one was hurt in the fire, but the residents are left homeless and may have lost everything.  It is still too early to know if anything Sandra and her daughter had in the apartment survived this devastating fire.    Please pray for Sandra's family as they are now trying to cope with this loss.  Sandra herself is unaware of this recent development due to her brain injury.


Doesn't this story almost seem to parallel the story of Job in the Bible?  His health was taken and everything he owned was gone.  We don't understand why some people have to endure many hardships in life.  Yet God has promised to walk with us in the deep dark valleys.  A few weeks ago when we visited Sandra, we shared the story of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.  She listened intently as we shared that Jesus even now is carrying her like a shepherd carrying an injured lamb.    


We read in Isaiah 40: 10-12
See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.


O Lord, please carry our dear sister Sandra in this very hard time, when things don't seem to make sense.  We know that You are our Good Shepherd who will never let us go.  And no matter how difficult the journey, you have promised to gently guide us home.