THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

Last Christmas was one of the happiest times of Santy’s life. Her best friend came to visit all the way from Australia. Many of you had the chance to meet her and her family at church and at the New Year’s Eve Service and Celebration. Not long after, she was diagnosed with lung cancer that had metastasized to her brain and spine. Miraculously she bounced back after limited treatment but about a month ago she received the bad news that she would have to undergo chemotherapy and this is where she is at now. THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

Last Christmas was one of the happiest times of Santy’s life. Her best friend came to visit all the way from Australia. Many of you had the chance to meet her and her family at church and at the New Year’s Eve Service and Celebration. Not long after, she was diagnosed with lung cancer that had metastasized to her brain and spine. Miraculously she bounced back after limited treatment but about a month ago she received the bad news that she would have to undergo chemotherapy and this is where she is at now.

No doubt this is a difficult time for her and her family but at the same time it is also a time when God has become so up close and personal to her. She has no one else to turn to and draw strength from but God alone. Whenever she talks to Santy, she always thanks God for the so many “little” blessings she receives.

Talking about blessings, last Sunday our sister Eluz sang a beautiful song, “Blessings.” It was written by Laura Story. A few years ago—to be exact in 2006—Laura’s husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor, just a year after they were married. Please listen to what she wrote as she reflected on that part of her life, "There was a time he was on a breathing machine and we weren't sure he was going to make it. I spent my whole life singing, ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, but until Jesus took me through something where my only option was to trust Him, I didn't really know that sweetness."

When I read her life story, I understood why there is such depth and power to the songs she wrote, including this one, “What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near. What if trials of this life—the rain, the storms, and the hardest nights—are Your mercies in disguise.”

Pastor Paul

No doubt this is a difficult time for her and her family but at the same time it is also a time when God has become so up close and personal to her. She has no one else to turn to and draw strength from but God alone. Whenever she talks to Santy, she always thanks God for the so many “little” blessings she receives.

Talking about blessings, last Sunday our sister Eluz sang a beautiful song, “Blessings.” It was written by Laura Story. A few years ago—to be exact in 2006—Laura’s husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor, just a year after they were married. Please listen to what she wrote as she reflected on that part of her life, "There was a time he was on a breathing machine and we weren't sure he was going to make it. I spent my whole life singing, ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, but until Jesus took me through something where my only option was to trust Him, I didn't really know that sweetness."

When I read her life story, I understood why there is such depth and power to the songs she wrote, including this one, “What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near. What if trials of this life—the rain, the storms, and the hardest nights—are Your mercies in disguise.”

Pastor Paul