Drowning in love....

As you know, our bathroom was renovated in late August to accommodate my handicap. The bulk of the work on this project was done by our son Gerrit, who works for a custom home builder, and it has turned out beautifully. That was about 6 weeks ago, and I have not seen a bill yet, until this afternoon. The total amount for the project was not displayed, but the work done was listed in detail. Across the bill was written: Paid in full. October 14th, 2011.  This is a clear example of how Christians demonstrate their love to God by taking what God has richly blessed them with and sharing with others.  They are laying up treasures in heaven. God is so very good.

Last Sunday the St. George youth group gave each of our children a box of mixed baked goods, as a way to show their love and appreciation to our family. Other people have showed up at our door with a casserole, lasagna, cookies, cake, freshly picked tomatoes and green beans, you name it. Everyone wants to help in whatever way they can and are able.  God's blessings keep raining upon us as a family.  We are drowning in the love.  God is so good.

This week four members of the Student Council of Rehoboth Christian School, where I have worked for 33 years, paid me a visit. They brought along signed blue ribbons from all of the students in grades 7-12.

They also raised funds for my wife and I to attend the Amethyst Fundraising dinner for the McMaster ALS clinic and Dr. John Turnbull’s research. At $125 per person, this was a very generous offering. There were 4 other couples from the school community at this dinner, and one of them was a grade 8 student who escorted his mom. He was bidding on a broach at the silent auction, getting up every 10 minutes to make sure he was still the highest bidder. The students have organized a volleyball tournament at the school next week Saturday, dedicated to raising funds for Dr. Turnbull’s research.

The other day my daughter Sarah (who manages this blog for us) wrote me this message after their Thanksgiving Day service. “Pastor Schoeman read 3 questions from the Heidelberg Catechism. It is easy to think, oh yes, I know what that says, heard it many times before.  But when you read them again and think about them in light of Dad's ALS, it brings out so much more meaning, so much more comfort! Sermons, family, even catechism questions have a new and deeper meaning! We have no idea how precious they are!”

Question 26. What believest thou when thou sayest, "I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth"?
Answer: That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them; who likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence) is for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father; on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt, but He will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body and further, that He will make whatever evils He sends upon me, in this valley of tears turn out to my advantage; for He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.

Question 27. What dost thou mean by the providence of God?
Answer: The almighty and everywhere present power of God; whereby, as it were by His hand, He upholds and governs heaven, earth, and all creatures; so that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, yea, and all things come, not by chance, but be His fatherly hand.

Question 28. What advantage is it to us to know that God has created, and by His providence does still uphold all things?
Answer: That we may be patient in adversity; thankful in prosperity; and that in all things, which may hereafter befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, that nothing shall separate us from His love; since all creatures are so in His hand, that without His will they cannot so much as move.