We had such a wonderful, awesome, beautiful, and most blessed Christmas. While I know that my blog readers will want to see pictures of our day with the kids opening their gifts and our little man's first Christmas, I can't help but write about a love story that has been touching my heart for sometime now and stands out in my mind this Christmas.
God's greatest gift to us this Christmas and everyday is surely his Son, Jesus Christ. When you think about the story of God taking on the form of human flesh in the form of a baby, in many ways that is a paradox. He was born to the virgin Mary, in the most lowly fashion amidst animals and placed in a feeding trough. This is all opposed to common sense and yet to the believer, its true and we believe it through faith that comes from Jesus Christ.
There's another love story on my mind this Christmas, much like the one of Christ's birth, that fills my heart when I think about the love a particular man has for his dying wife. I was able to meet the husband in person, but was never fortunate enough to meet the wife but her life, their marriage, and their whole love story has imprinted my heart. Tracey lived her life as any other would, as a painter she painted birds and other varying animals. For several years leading up to 2011, she was seeking to know how God was going to use her life more and more for His glory. Unexpectantly, on July 21, 2011, Tracey was rushed to the hospital after having a series of seizures only to learn that she had brain cancer. A picture of health she looked to be before learning this news, only to find out that she had the most aggressive and malignant of brain tumors.
To the average person, one would think that this diagnosis would be the most awful and depressing end to someone's life. But, for Tracey and her husband the story doesn't end there. The paradox in all of this is the love her husband has had for her as he chronicles their journey together and their love and reliance upon a sovereign, loving, faithful, and unchanging God. The Bible tells the Christian to rejoice in suffering. As one does this, God is glorified as the sufferer seeks Him only for healing and strength through the midst of it all.
While we opened gifts Christmas morning, Tracey was in the hospital. The day after Christmas as I struggled to put together a Barbie dream castle, Tracey was released as the doctors could do no more and her husband made preparations to begin hospice care.
God has been so merciful to me and my family this Christmas and I thank Him for this couple's walk with Christ. The way in which they have walked with God in the midst of their struggles warms my heart and reassures me that God never changes and while life is hard, and painful, and seems unbearable, His Word assures us that He will never place anything on us that we (with Him) cannot bear.
Their story is a paradox. Their adoration and praise of God in the midst of extreme sickness goes against the natural reaction to turn from a god that would allow this to happen. Their love for each other contradicts the fleshly nature that is inclined to run when suffering enters our lives. I love a good love story. Even more so than that, my heart melts to see this unique commitment between a bride and his wife.
Christ (the bridegroom), loved his bride (the Church) with this same unique kind of love so much that He came to Earth as a baby only to die for a people that did not deserve his love.
An Amazing Love.
An Amazing Love Story.
Tracey's artwork: http://www.traceyclarke.com/
Chronicle of Tracey's story: http://theheliumburden.blogspot.com/
Amen to that - their story has definitely been a true testimony. And through it all GOD IS GLORIFIED!!! Goes against all human nature, which for me, increases my faith. That's the type of committment that is supernatural. God bless her sweet soul
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