SEPTEMBER 5, 2011 six years

Stay here and watch with Me —Matthew 26:38

“Watch with Me.” Jesus was saying, in effect, “Watch with no private point of view at all, but watch solely and entirely with Me.” In the early stages of our Christian life, we do not watch with Jesus, we watch for Him. We do not watch with Him through the revealed truth of the Bible even in the circumstances of our own lives. Our Lord is trying to introduce us to identification with Himself through a particular “Gethsemane” experience of our own. But we refuse to go, saying, “No, Lord, I can’t see the meaning of this, and besides, it’s very painful.” And how can we possibly watch with Someone who is so incomprehensible?” Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, September 5.

Last week, I met the family of a new patient, their twenty-something son worked on a drilling rig and a wayward chain landed him in a hospital bed. Kathie housemates were an author, mechanic, cowboy, musician, bus driver, salesman and now rig worker, their lives changed in the blink of an eye. Over these years, I have been encouraged by friends whose children have died early or their family members have suffered sadly, this week we memorialize the 9/11 losses. This side of heaven I will not understand the “why” and I have found it not useful to ask the question any longer. We have been placed in this experience and we persevere.

I have watched Hannah struggle to make it through a full day of third grade while Madison sat in her wheelchair. Andy has recovered from his back injuries, he now lives and works in Seattle. Katie has worked very hard to blend a relationship and support her daughter. In the midst of our tragedy, our children continue to grow and grow-up.

Last night I had the opportunity to give Kathie a bath. I took time to wash her hair and massage her scalp; she ended the bath-time with a very relaxed look and I once again let her know how pretty she is. I sat with her until her eye closed as she fell asleep. As I sit with her now, she just sneezed and looked surprised, I kissed her forehead and said, “God bless you.” Tomorrow, Kathie will have her weekly massage and then I have a stylist coming to cut her hair.

Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.

Thank you for your enduring prayers and watching with us over these years,

Dave and Kathie Jones

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