Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Update on Toby...Towering Heights

SORROW: Our dear son Toby (see 2 posts below) has advanced MS...they found white patches in his brain but also in his neck and chest. (This all started because he thought he had a pinched nerve in his neck, he can't look down or his body gets numb. That is just one of his symptoms). But that "pinched nerve feeling" is part of it too and even has a name. I think I cried all the way home in the dark last night, feeling pretty hemmed in with my husbands lung transplant, sister's cancer, daughter's nasty divorce, and now my Toby too. He was a mason, but will not be able to do that anymore...my thoughts rolled over the verse, "Yea, though He slay me I will trust in Him." because it seems to be the people I love being slain around me.
GROWTH: I'm in it, I know the feeling so well, I am in another growing time in my Christian walk. I remember the pain in my legs, called "growing pains", when I was a little girl. It's never easy to grow, a tall oak has to battle all of the elements; lightning, drought, flood, cold, from its life on the forest floor to the towering heights. A little bird can't fall from the sky without our Father knowing...caring. I know He watches me. It gets so hard sometimes, but God is good, always good and always seeking our good..our growth, our towering heights.
SURRENDER: I know many of you are going through hard times at this moment. Christian, release your fears and sorrows to the One who can and will help you. He is "our very present help in times of trouble". And I say this as much to myself as to you.
As I sit here typing I understand that there may be one of you on the "forest floor", beginning this steep climb, the narrow path, the Journey. I am calling back, "The clefts in the rock are safe, all is right because God is in these hard places with us. He has predetermined our steps, He IS our hiding place."
Keep this one thing to the forefront of your mind, "That I may know Him."
Love,
Pam

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

i was thinking and praying yesterday and today. i'm so glad you let us know what's going on. thank you for that strong encouragement in the midst of your own hard times. i will continue to pray.

Tequitia said...

your family is in our prayers

Kimmi said...

That's right Pam, stand on the word of God! After you have done all that you can do...STAND

Hugs,
Kimberly

Pam Mattick Art and Stuff said...

Thanks so much you guys for the encouragement and your prayers. The more I read about MS the sadder I am. But...I STAND on the Word of God and all His promises that He "will not leave or forsake" us. Joshua 1:9 has long been my heart verse through John's transplant.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Love you all,
Pam

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

This is my first time visiting here, but this post broke my heart. I will pray for Toby and you. Blessings on you.

Joyfulsister said...

Hi Pam.
The Prayer team At Beloved Mama Prays wanted to know if there was any updates and they have been praying for all of you and especially dear Toby. I will send them here to read this. I have been studying about the Joy of the Lord, although I have been through alot studies about Joy it has given me such a new and refreshing out look each time I go back and study about more of his Joy. As I battle a serious Chronic illness myself, his Joy continues to be my daily strength for each new day.

Hugz Lorie

Nita Jo said...

Oh Pam, My heart aches for you. My family went through a time where it seemed there was one major event after another, and yet God was always there... always faithful to help carry us through.

I will pray especially for Toby. I think I shared with you already that I have MS. Just in the last three weeks, my left arm & then left torso has gone numb. I see my Neurologist tomorrow.

I know about the fear and the frustration; and, I know about the peace God can give to Toby, and to you!

May God bless you with peace today!
Nita Jo

Alicia @ refinedisaiah648.blogspot.com said...

Dear Pam, I am so sorry to read this. You are right, growing is never easy, but through this growing time God teaches us the most. Your family is in my prayers. It seems to all happen at once, doesnt it? Hugs to you!

1,000 faerie wishes said...

i am crying as i write this. please know my heart is with you. i have felt so lost after john's death that i sunk into a deep depression. i too, have had health problems and my children have been so plagued by problems so much in the last year i thought i would lose my mind.
but i like you trust God to see us through these terrible things..
but it hurts so bad. if you ever need to talk e-mail me and i will give you my phone number, i mean that.
sending you love and prayers on angels wings, nita

Leslie Rubio said...

Pam-I am so sorry to hear about all that you are going through at this time. God knows your strength. Thanks be to God for all of his many blessings, healing and LOVE.
Peace be with you and your family during this time and always.

Through Him ALL things are possible.

Blessings,
Leslie

Anonymous said...

Pam, I don't know how I missed this post earlier...You and your family will be in my prayers. Thank you for sharing. You know about the power of praise...Shout out and praise Him even when it feels impossible to do.