08.25.06
From Eowyn, again
Hello all. I don’t know how other people are handling this situation with my dad, but I know that God has really blessed me with faith during this time, and I would love to share this faith with you.
Many people see death as an awful thing, and outside of Christ, it is the worst thing imaginable. However, my dad knows Jesus Christ to be his Lord and Savior. Frequently, people have come up to me and voiced their anger and frustration that “all of this” should be happening to “a good family like yours.” As much as I appreciate the reference to my loving family, I would like to strongly state: DON’T BE ANGRY WITH GOD ON OUR BEHALF. I think I speak for my whole family when I say that I know that God has a perfect plan, and that He is accomplishing His will with my dad’s cancer. And for my part, I feel like God is giving me a glimpse at that plan.
Throughout my dad’s cancer, so many people have been blessed by his faith through suffering, (myself included in that count). Jesus calls us all to serve Him with all our hearts, he just calls us each to serve Him in different ways. I believe that God is calling my dad to serve Him in the last part of his life by worshiping Him in the midst of suffering. God is using His dutiful servant to then bless everyone else. What greater calling is there than to serve the Lord your God in everything you do? And what greater honor is there than to die for your Lord in a way that will bless His flock?
I am deeply moved by everyone’s prayers for all of us during this trial. I appreciate the prayers for healing, but I would also encourage people to pray that God will complete His purpose with my dad, understanding that He is capable of healing, but that He may have something entirely different in store for my dad. The last thing I would want to see (or that I’m sure my dad would want to see) would be for people to be so caught in praying for healing, that if Jesus chooses to take my dad Home, that people will be bitter and angry with God. I feel that being angry with God on my dad’s behalf would be a disservice and dishonor to my dad, and his willingness to do his Lord’s bidding.
So take heart! Don’t fear death! As Christians, death is really the best gift you could ever receive! My dad will get to go Home to worship His maker, and my dad will feel no pain for all of eternity. He won’t be weighed down by the burdens and sins of this world and longer! Because Jesus died on the cross, death truly has lost its sting. So instead of being sad, please rejoice with me in our loving Father who is perfect, and who has a perfect plan for my earthly father.
With much love and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, your sister Eowyn
Here is some scripture that I’ve found very helpful during this time. It deals mostly with suffering, especially death, and the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
James 1:2-8
John 17:3
Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8
Psalm 84:1-4, 10-12
Isaiah 40
Romans 5:1-3 (esp. 3)
Romans 8:1-2
Romans 12:1-3 (esp. 3)
1 COR 15:50-58
Matthew 6:19-21 (I found this one to be special in that I think my dad really grasps and lives the concept of storing up his treasures in heaven.)
I hope that God might speak to some of your hearts through some of these verses as well, bringing comfort, peace, and hope.
wordsmith55 said,
August 25, 2006 at 10:38 am
Again, thanks for taking us all along in your journey of faith–it’s humbling and it’s heartening. We continue to pray for God’s enduring love to be manifest to all — fondly, Lorraine and Alan Smith and family.
John said,
August 25, 2006 at 11:25 am
I am continually impressed with you (the entire Groves family) dignity and grace during these difficult times — you all are a class act.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks again for sharing so much of yourselves in this blog.
John
Linda Foh said,
August 25, 2006 at 1:12 pm
Wow, I miss checking in since Sunday and look what happens! Thank God for his mercies, great and small, this week to you all. And for giving Eowyn a maturity well beyond her years and a gift for expressing her thoughts so beautifully.
woody boyd said,
August 25, 2006 at 2:12 pm
Al and family, You are truly an INSPIRATION to all. I pray for your continued strength and improved health. Your friend, Don “Woody” Boyd
barbara finlay said,
August 26, 2006 at 3:43 pm
Dear Al and family,
So moved and blessed by Eowyn’s thoughts, such peace and assurance to know God’s ways are perfect even through suffering. Thanks so much for being so faithful in keeping everyone up to date with Al’s progress and for the photos also.
The ladies here in Portadown continue to uphold you all at this time and with you we are praying that God will continue to be uplifted and glorified through Al’s illness. We pray that Al will heal quickly and not be in pain and most of all that he will know the comforting presence of the Lord Jesus his best friend.
much love and continued prayer
Barbara
Jan Kreft said,
August 26, 2006 at 4:00 pm
Dear Eowyn
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, they are such an encouragement to serve the Lord with all one’s heart and soul and strength. When you see someone else doing that, it makes it easier to follow! I SO agree with your perspective and it’s just wonderful to see it in practice. I am praying for you, and also that my family and others reading your blog entries will be blessed to find such comfort in their circumstances.
Much love – Jan.
Eep Talstra said,
August 26, 2006 at 6:11 pm
Dear Eowyn,
Thanks for your good words. With Arendjan and Harmen I have been watching photographs
these days of the Groves family in The Netherlands: Krommenie and all that. You were a
baby by then. And Lies was still with us, enjoying you so much.
Now you write about the hard things in life, the human struggle with God and the faith that
keeps us alive. Times surely have changed! God has not, except may be that He moves:
He always travels in front of us, leading the way. That is a basic trust, your father
showed me many times.
I very well understand all that you have to go through – being angry indeed is not the
feeling that would bring us anywhere. However, since both Psalms and the book of Job
belong to the Bible, you may say God understands all of our feelings. But it is his grace
that helps us travel further.
Tomorrow I will preach on Paul singing hymns in prison. I think your dad knows
the best of all of us how that works,
Blessings,
Eep
Fred said,
August 26, 2006 at 7:03 pm
Hi, Eowyn.
Thanks for your note.
I’ve never felt especially comfortable praying for healing (for anyone), but rather for the mercy and grace of Christ in your lives.
May they be yours now and always.
Peace.
Fred Putnam
Jessica Lear A.K.A. Jessie said,
August 26, 2006 at 11:26 pm
hey eowyn, it’s me Jessie i really care about you and your family alot.i am really blessed to have you in my life you are like a big sister to me and even though we just meet it feels like we’ve been friends forever!I am always there for you!I love you alot! i am really happy that we got to pray and cry together. that means alot to me.you are an idol to me.when i grow older i wanna be just like you. you are a very amazing person you and your family are.well i love ya lot.i get back to you soon.
Carolyn Stonehouse said,
August 27, 2006 at 4:08 pm
E — you are a wise and godly woman.
I’m so glad to know you and will certainly continue to pray for you and your family.
Carolyn
laurie hartman said,
August 29, 2006 at 5:14 pm
Dear Eowyn,
Very, very wise words. Thank you for your charge to those of us in the body to not take offense on your family’s behalf. We, who sit on the outside, can not fully understand the work of the Holy Spirit in your family. And, it is for us to (as Job said) close our mouths and fall on our knees at a wonderful Lord who would bless you so richly during this time.
Many, many blessings on you and your family,
Laurie Hartman
Kristen said,
September 2, 2006 at 12:09 am
Hi all,
Can’t say much more than has already been said–but I want you all to know that I am truly challenged by your example to trust the Lord (who must be more faithful and amazing than I have yet imagined). I am humbled and so grateful for your faith–not lofty and serene, but gritty and real. I love each of you and pray for abounding grace–and more listening ears.
love
kristen
PS Eowyn–like Jessie, I want to be like you when I grow older. I love you!
Sandy Hammerschmidt said,
September 19, 2006 at 3:36 pm
Eowyn & family,
The Hammerschmidt’s are praying. Thankyou for sharing what God is teaching you & for pointing us all to Jesus.
Love,
Sandy
Tom Taylor said,
September 27, 2006 at 4:16 pm
I thought that I had commented, but I guess I haven’t.
Your Scripture passages have been very powerful for me. Our Minichurch is doing a study of suffering in Mark by answering the following questions:
1. Find a passage where Jesus could have felt rejected, abandoned, alone, misunderstood, etc.
2. How did he respond?
3. How would you have responded?
We are having good and deep discussions.
Thanks again for your honest and open heart.
Tom Taylor
Yoshie said,
December 30, 2015 at 8:13 am
I Love You! …..Dad & I couldn’t be likeucr than to have a beautiful Daughter that Loves us so much like you! It’s been an amazing life with you & we aren’t done yet. You’re our Angel & we are Blessed beyond measure! It’s a pleasure to talk to you each day & know that we can share your thoughts & dreams, you keep us involved & we’e so Thankful for that! Loving Life now & always with you in it! Hugs & Kisses!!