February 22, 2011

Tuesday February 22 8:00pm

We reached another milestone in our marathon. Garren graduated from ICU. It's a little nerve-racking in that we've been watching a monitor telling us what all of his vital signs were. We could keep an eye on blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, along with several other numbers. Now we have heart rate, and oxygen saturation level - that's it. It's a little weird not knowing what his numbers are.

Oswald Chambers wrote a devotional booklet called "My Utmost for His Highest." It's one of my favorites. Today's entry was haunting and intriguing to me:

Be still, and know that I am God . . . —Psalm 46:10
Perseverance is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with absolute assurance and certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen. Perseverance means more than just hanging on, which may be only exposing our fear of letting go and falling. Perseverance is our supreme effort of refusing to believe that our hero is going to be conquered. Our greatest fear is not that we will be damned, but that somehow Jesus Christ will be defeated. Also, our fear is that the very things our Lord stood for— love, justice, forgiveness, and kindness among men— will not win out in the end and will represent an unattainable goal for us. Then there is the call to spiritual perseverance. A call not to hang on and do nothing, but to work deliberately, knowing with certainty that God will never be defeated.

If our hopes seem to be experiencing disappointment right now, it simply means that they are being purified. Every hope or dream of the human mind will be fulfilled if it is noble and of God. But one of the greatest stresses in life is the stress of waiting for God. He brings fulfillment, “because you have kept My command to persevere . . .” (Revelation 3:10).

Continue to persevere spiritually.

May we all persevere, rather than endure, this trying time.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Praise God for all things!! Still praying everyday!!!
Love, The Tripps

Anonymous said...

God is so in control....tonight, tomorrow, and always...trust Him...even if you don't understand....we press on...and we pray for Garrens' complete healing...and for your strength and His rest...love, Sandy & Russ

wendypoovey said...

This is such awesome news. What a huge milestone for Garren. We will be praying for his continued healing and strength for you and Nancy! The Pooveys

Kitty @ Four Toms and a Mom said...

Your trust walk will replace the monitors. Praying continuously.

Anonymous said...

Geoffrey& Nancy,
How wonderful to be able to graduate from ICU...even though I'm sure it's uncomfortable not knowing the numbers all the time. We refuse to cease praying. We contiune to lift Garren's name in every prayer that is said during the day. God is so good :) So happy that you guys were able to get the insurance company to approve his room for rehab!! Love to hear news for you guys like this!


We love ya'll!
Ritchie, Donna, Racheal, Katherine, Luke, Madelyn& Brady

Anonymous said...

Awesome devotion by Oswald Chambers. Showing us once again, that our God is in control. He knows all things and His plan will come to fruition. What an awesome God we serve, Amen ?!! We can lay our burdens down at His feet with the confidence of knowing He will take them.
As so many others of said . . we're still praying, believing and trusting for God's best for you and your family. . . .chris & rich Charpentier

Anonymous said...

good morning!
wow! love the new room with a view!! I hope Gareen is comfortable there. We are praying for you all as you start the new part for this journey. We are still praying for the break through and complete healing! God is at work and it shows!!! Love and prayers coming your way!
<><
T

Anonymous said...

Great news about the move. We know how reassuring the monitors can be...they do provide a certain peace of mind in the midst of turmoil. We were very uneasy and nervous when our son was disconnected, but after a short time, we welcomed the normalcy...life is much sweeter without the machines, so we pray that feeling of peace will come quickly for you. In for the long haul, The Sisk Family

Anonymous said...

Praying for Garren's breakthrough and strength for you guys.

Anonymous said...

Geoffrey and Nancy, please know you/Garren are in our
family's thought and prayers continuously daily always. I am so thankful for this blog.

Holding you all close,
Sue, Kendall, Jacqueline and Meredith