Treasure in Jars of Clay

This weekend I was able to go on a retreat with the ladies group at our church. One of the ladies shared a passage that God was using powerfully in her life. When she finished quoting it, I wanted to jump up and clap! (Of course, being the calm, mature woman that I am...I refrained!) Anyway, I wanted to share it with you before I give you an update.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. . . Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:7-8, 16-17

Baby, that verse'll preach! I may come back and visit it later in the week, so be forewarned. We have been pressed and perplexed. Some may feel we were being persecuted. There were days I felt definitely struck down. But, all of this so that people would know, we are just jars of clay, moulded by the Master Potter's hand for this season, so that the treasure of our faith would be evidence that the all-surpassing power to survive, to have peace, to have victory, to see things change, to do miracles, to save lives, to save souls, to change our world, to change our selves, to be able to sleep, to be able to find rest without sleep . . . THIS all-surpassing power is from God. It is not from Tammy nor from our love for Tammy, not from the dedication of her family nor from the dedicated doctors, not from words on a blog nor the words in our prayer, not from a medicine, not from acting right, not from doing right, not from asking the right questions nor finding the right answers. All these things are key things, important things, good things, but the power comes from God and God alone! And if you doubt, go back to February on this blog and start reading!

Back to Tammy. She has been moved to a different room in CVICU. They have had two transplants in 24-hours, and they needed our isolation room. She is still in isolation, but when you come in, make sure you ask the nurse where to scrub up. She did get the smaller of the two chest tubes taken out on Friday. They removed her from the vent for a few minutes to move her, which was really cool, and her oxygen came up really quick once they reconnected her. However we have to remember, it is easier to maintain for a few minutes while lying prone on the bed. They also have to unhook her occasionally when they change the tubing on her trache. It was still nice to see though. Maybe one day soon she will be on oxygen only. You also need to know our room is smaller, so keep that in mind when you come to visit. We probably ought to adhere better to the "two at a time" rule. Her new room also came with a "defective" remote, so we swapped it out for the one from her old room. Nothing but the best, right? Today has been a better day than some of the last few because she is off morphine. It makes her groggy, so it is nice to see her getting back to herself. She is watching silly movies and teasing her brother, not too far off normal.

I also want to take advantage of this blog to ask you to pray for a personal matter. My grandmother on my father's side is not doing very well. She is over 90 and is having some mental, emotional, and maybe spiritual battles recently. She is more and more confused about what is real and what is not. Unfortunately, she is not slipping into bliss, she is living in fear. She hates being afraid but is unable to imagine anything but the worst. In the interest of protecting her privacy, I will not elaborate, but I am imploring you to please lift her up in prayer this week. I hurt for her, almost physically. She needs a miracle, too, and I don't believe God has run out of them just yet. Thank you for letting me ask.