“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~Jeremiah 29:11
I read these words and believe them to be true; I know that God is with me every step of the way. For me, faith is not difficult when things are going your way. But what about the dark times? What about the times you feel alone and abandoned, times when it seems you take two steps back for every step forward. The other day, I became acquainted with a family who exemplifies what living in faith is really about and I'd like to introduce them to you. This is an extremely condensed version of their story:
Tricia Kirschner was born in 1982 and was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) at the age of six months. CF is a terminal, genetically inherited disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. In June of 2004, she and Nate Lawrenson were married. Three years later, Tricia's health had deteriorated and she began the process to determine if she was a possible candidate for a double lung transplant. The day before the process began, Tricia found out she was pregnant. She was able to carry their child for a little over 24 weeks and on January 8, 2008, Gwyneth Rose was born by emergency c-section, weighing in at 1lb. 6oz. On April 12 Tricia was gifted with a new set of lungs during a nine-hour surgery.
The amazing thing about Nate and Tricia is that even though life keeps throwing them curve-balls, their faith in a God who loves them and plans to prosper them and not harm them, who plans to give them hope and a future, remains strong and at the center of their lives. The scripture I used above is the one they use on their sites. If you would like to learn more about the Lawrensons and keep up with the healing processes of Tricia and little Gwyneth Rose, here are links to their web sites
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