Blessed Be Your Name

This post wasn't on my schedule.  I read something incredible on Facebook about the Glory of God that I just must share with you.

The song playing through the baby monitor echos the truths in the story I am about to share:

Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name

Thirteen years ago, I met my best friend who would later become my husband.  Through our early relationship and especially on our wedding day, there was one fantastic man by our sides offering guidance, love, care, and prayer.  Steve Murphy.  He knew what counsel we needed before we knew we needed it.  He approached us on various occasions to offer care and concern and guidance.  We had relationship counseling with him while dating.  We had fellowship with his fabulous wife, Mary, and family at his home.  He guided us through pre-marital counseling.  He married us.

We only saw Steve a couple of times since we moved away.  Over the years, his children had grown. One horrific day, his oldest, Ian, was in a near-fatal car accident.  God had big plans for Ian.  I won't get into all the details, but Ian spent YEARS in a coma.  He is now talking and able to get around fairly well.  Please read the whole back story (just click on "for new readers").  It will bless you.  Also, read this interview,

After years of struggling through Ian's recovery, Steve was diagnosed with brain cancer.  He was given 14 months.  He went to be with our Savior after just seven weeks.  It's been nearly a year since Steve passed away.

Through all of these trials, God has brought beauty.  Larissa, Ian's long-time girlfriend, stayed right by his side through all of this.  God has shown Himself to Ian in amazing ways - just read some of the posts on their blog.  Amazing.  Beautiful. Convicting.

And now

Ian

Is

Married!

We haven't seen Ian since probably his middle school years.  I long for a time when we visit that area that we could see him again, that we could draw him out about the blessings through his trials.  Their trials.  I long to meet his wonderful bride.  I long to see the whole family again.

For now, I can praise God.  I can thank Him for His goodness.  Thank Him for the trials.  Thank him for the blessings.

And I can share that story with you.