Blessings through Raindrops

It’s Saturday morning and we’re just hanging out at the hospital, beside Lianne’s bed. That’s where we’ve been the last week- just hanging out. She wouldn’t want it any other way. There is someone here 24/7. She enjoys the company, likes the chatter, and loves the hugs.

We’re listening to worship songs right now, and it seems that every song takes on a different meaning now that we’re walking alongside Lianne.

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while you hear each spoken need

Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near

What if the trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

~~Blessings by Laura Story

Yesterday we were talking about it too. She said “How often do we say and sing things without any thought of the meaning behind the words?”

“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

let me walk upon the waters,

Wherever you would call me.

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander,

And my faith will be made stronger”

~Oceans by Hillsong United~

It is easy to sing these songs, to be taken with the melody, with the emotions, without necessarily thinking about the words we’re singing. As we go through different seasons the way words touch us may change, may transform us, and become more dear to us.

You’re probably reading this because you love Lianne a lot! Or you know Lianne from a class you were in, met her through a friend, were in her youth group, know one of her friends or family members and have been following along with her on this journey. We thank you for your continued prayers, your encouraging words, the cards and messages you sent, the meals you’ve prepared or the nieces and nephews you’ve taking under your wing while her siblings are visiting.

Lianne has been in Foothills Medical Centre for a week now. She was welcomed by a team of nurses and bed ready. The care here is incredible. Nurses run to the rescue when needed or gently care for Lianne in the wee hours of the night. Health Care AIDS follow orders, especially Edmund – Lianne is his favourite patient! The doctors may show up at 7:30 in the morning (UHM hello – we’re not morning people) but take their time to answer all our questions and explain what’s going on.

We’ve had a lot of meetings with doctors. It has been decided to start radiation on Monday; this to deal with the tumour in her lungs. Other than that we’re trying to look at more options – where to go from here and what to do next. The knowledge here at Foothills is amazing – and it’s a teaching hospital so Lianne has many young doctors surrounding her and looking at this peculiar case. What resident doesn’t want to learn all about such a rare type of carcinoma – one that they likely won’t ever encounter again.

Lianne is the first case for her medical oncologist – and he’s been working for two decades.

Today is Saturday. Seven days in the FMC – with tender care and lots of love from everyone around us. Lianne has a family member by her bed at all times. During the night someone stays with her too. There have been moments of immense pain and also moments of joy, moments filled with tears and sweet reunions. Lianne’s brother and his family and her sister have all arrived this week.There were some hiccups but now they’re all in Alberta. Today her uncle, aunt and cousin from Florida come. We know that’s what Lianne wants – and are so thankful that this was made possible.

We continue to wonder what is to happen. Wonder what it means when we pray ‘Your will be done’. Wonder how to face this day, face this trial, face this life. And what comes next? To be honest we don’t know what it entails when we speak medically. But we know that God’s preparing a place for us, that we are in His caring hand and that we are in His loving embrace!

In Lianne’s room, Psalm 27 is posted on a huge whiteboard. From her bed she can see it, and we often refer to it or recite it. Marieta shared it on Instagram today. “This and many other verses from scripture continue to encourage us and lift us up. But more so, we cling to the Father who holds us, who shelters us, who keeps us safe, who is our strong hold and rock. We see the glory of God through our tears. He is glorified and we rest in His embrace.”

“Purify my heart, let me be as gold,

Pure gold and precious silver.

Purify my heart, let be as gold, pure gold.

Refiners fire, my heart’s one desire

Is to be holy

Set apart for you Lord…

Purify my heart, cleanse me from within,

And make me holy”

Perhaps the healing comes through tears. Perhaps the blessings come through raindrops. We can’t necessarily see it now. We know that sometimes God calms the storm, and sometimes when the storm rages God calms the child. Though we want the cancer to be gone, for the pain to leave, and all the agitation to go away - for Lianne’s body to be cleansed from this disease - we cry for God to purify our hearts, and to cleanse us from within. That we’re set apart, made holy. We pray that God takes us to places where our trust is without borders – where we fully live for Him and glorify Him in it all. Wherever and however and whenever that may be, to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

To God be the glory!