Joy to Your World

I've been struggling this fall with a lingering viurs. I found myself whining the other day, and God brought to mind how small my trials are compared with what He has allowed others to endure. Here are three families I love and intensely admire for their strength, endurance, and joy in the midst of it all.

Scott Sessions was our paster for several years. We loved him and his family and when my husband died, Scott was there to help me cope and get some firm ground underneath me. Last year Scott was diagnosed with ALS, often called Lou Gehrig's disease. Unless God provides a miracle (oh please do!) Scott is going to die young. His courage and perspective, and his wife Julie's grace, have been a light for Whatcom County this past year.

Jennifer and Craig have a six-year-old boy with more than 18 serious illnesses. Dominic was born 16 weeks premature. Taking care of this precious boy is more than a full time job for them - it's a life-long, every day, every night commitment. Their steadfast love and willingness to devote themselves to their family in a way most of could never imagine is an inspiration and admonition to me. What is really important in this short life? I think loving those God has given us with the same kind of love He has lavished on us.

Finally, my dear friends Sam and Brie Russell found their lives in a spin cycle this year. Sam, whom I've known and loved since he was 2, was riding his bike at his workplace for Trek Bicycles when he hit a jump too fast and crashed head-first into a tree. Sam is paralyzed from the waist down. They have three daughters under the age of 6. Sam pushes himself so hard he is already hop-walking with braces and has ridden an arm-peddled bike! Brie is so focused on finding joy in their trials that reading her blog makes you think she is superwoman in disguise as a mom and wife. They've been in and out of ER so many times, yet Brie says they are glad for the cable TV time!

May we all find joy this Christmas in our family, our friends, our lives, our loves, in sunshine or rain, in good health and in trials. God's blessings pour upon you this Christmas and New Year. Karen

p.s. the photos picture Scott with his daughter, Jody; Jennifer and Craig with their kids; Sam and Brie with their kids and Sam's folks, and me with Nancy Russell, Sam's mom. If you want to read Brie's blog, contact me and I'll give you the details.