HE always has and will continue to provide us with more than we need. Since the
accident medical supplies, groceries, and meals have been abundantly provided
through the love of family, friends, and even people we don't know just wanting
to help. God has continued to show us how sufficient his grace truly is. HE has
blessed us with the support of his loving children in many ways. We are more
than thankful for everyone that has continued to pray for us and support us. It
has been two months since Kellie's accident and I am still amazed by Kellie's
attitude. Though she has had some "bad" days (as we all have had despite our
condition) she continues to press on and believes that God will take care of
her. Kell has maintained an uplifting spirit that encourages all those around
her. She is slowly gaining better control of her arms and is strengthening her
trunk. She can support her own weight for short periods of time when she is
assisted into a sitting position. Kell still lacks dexterity in her fingers but
has been very adaptive in the use of her hands. She has yet to move her legs or
feet but we are still very hopeful as she does have some sensation and feeling
below her chest down to her toes. We are still desperately awaiting replies from
DARS and Medicaid. Please help us pray for a rehab center that will take her on.
She regularly mentions the desire to rehabilitate in the proper environment such
as a rehab or recovery center. We must continue to have faith and put our hope
for healing in God's merciful love.
These words are often times so easy to say but difficult to execute. How
many times do we read about miracles in the Bible and truly dissect the sheer
magnitude of God's almighty power? Do we look at these miracles with doubt and
skepticism or do we truly believe as we say we do? Is God truly as powerful as
you say HE is or has the constant repetition of hearing HIS scripture
desensitized us to the transcendent efficacy which HE empowers? I know that for
me, God's abilities were not truly realized until I divulged this question and
sincerely surrendered every aspect of my life to HIM. Though this may seem
impossible to do at times we must never give up hope and faith. I know this is
difficult because even those who saw Jesus perform miracles and lived their
lives with him lacked faith at times. In Matthew 17, right before Christ healed
a boy who was suffering from seizures, he mentioned to his disciples, "You don't
have enough faith... I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a
mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there.' and it
would move. Nothing would be impossible" (Matthew 17:20). It is astounding to me
that we find it difficult to convene enough faith the mere size of a mustard
seed. While it is so easy for us to say "I have faith," how many of us really
mean it. We must NOT lose faith! Brothers and
sister please continue sincerely praying with me with all your heart, and have
no doubt that God has the ability to heal us and to physically heal Kellie. For
HE states, "when you seek me in prayer and worship, you will
find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul" (Jeremiah
29:12-13). I often times find myself asking, "Are we truly seeking him with ALL
our heart and soul? Do we sincerely believe in HIM? Are we really exercising
faith?" Just imagine what we could do if we possessed faith the size of a
mustard seed. Give HIM a little faith, and HE can do a lot with it!
During this transitional period of my life I have come to understand how
insignificant we are as mortal beings. We are merely the creation of a
preeminent Creator. We are here today and we have no
guarantees of tomorrow. We must acknowledge the fact that he does NOT need us,
yet chooses to love us. Often times I draw many parallels of God's love for us
through the love a parent exudes for his child. For instance, if someone chose
not to raise a child he/she will continue to live their life. Children or the
lack of children will not determine whether or not a couple lives or dies.
Though many people choose to raise a child to enrich their lives, it is not
essential. A couple will continue living their lives whether they have children
or not. Just as a person can live life with or without having a child, God will
be glorified with or without us. While HE will continue to love us HE surely
doesn't need us. It is through his gracious love and mercy that we have life. He
wants a relationship with us, "For God is working in you, giving you the desire
and the power to do what pleases HIM" (Philippians 2:13). While I pray daily
that God will magnify HIS great name through fully healing Kellie, I also
understand that what he has already provided to us is more than sufficient. He
truly is the ultimate provider and he provides abundantly! Living our lives with
this perspective of gratitude is the least we can do for a creator that gave us
life and continues to love us unconditionally.
How much difference is there in Kellie's need for
physical healing from our need for
"spiritual healing?" Whether it is "physical
brokenness" or "spiritual brokenness" we are all "broken." This world is
"broken" and we all desire "healing." This "brokenness" is evident through the
lies of this world we so desperately want to believe. Whether it's righteousness
through self works, chasing temporary thrills, money, sex, drugs, or searching
for belonging we all are searching for happiness. But none of these things
sincerely bring us true joy. Every one of us has sensed a desire and longing for
something to "heal" us, something to fill us up, or simply something to satisfy
us and make us happy [myself included]. I spent so many years of my life denying
the obvious "brokenness" of my heart. When I ignored the evidence of God's
selfless love it was so easy to selfishly pursue the desires/pleasures that
pleased me regardless of the effect it would have on my relationships with
everyday encounters, Brothers and Sisters, and most importantly with our father
in heaven [which we can have through Christ's love and sacrifice]. When we
discount HIS love, it's almost as if we are saying we don't want to adhere to
the obvious emptiness which engulfs our soul without HIM. Because if we
submitted to this thought, would that mean we would be held accountable for our
wrong doings and selfish ambition? This thought had me wondering-- "What then
would that mean if I gave credibility to this idea? Would that mean I would have
to right all my wrongs to earn love?" This question alone seemed to provoke more
denial as I knew there was no way I could right all my wrongs in God's eyes.
There is nothing I could do as a sinful human to compare to HIS magnificence,
HIS perfection, and HIS righteousness. There will never be enough good deeds I
can perform to make me worthy or deserving of HIS unconditional love. It wasn't
until I truly understood this concept (or at least tried to) that I began to
fall deeply in awe of how HE loves us. Such a seemingly simple concept to grasp,
yet I was too prideful and stubborn to accept it.
This continual search for meaning and satisfaction was reconfirmed when I
read an article my little brother showed me. The author of Rethinking
Progress stated "I’m realizing that the sin I need removed
daily is precisely my narcissistic understanding of spiritual
progress. I think too much about how I’m doing, if
I’m growing, whether I’m doing it right or
not. I spend too much time pondering my failure, brooding over
my spiritual successes, and wondering why, when it’s all said
and done, I don’t seem to be getting that much
better...I spend way too much time thinking about
me and what I need to do and far too
little time thinking about Jesus and what
HE’s
already
done." Realizing the truth in this author's attitude is what has gotten Kellie
and I through each day. We will forever be gracious for every little
thing that HE has already done. We try not to focus on
what we don't have but instead redirect our focus on what "HE's
already done" and what HE's already given us. Though at times
it may be difficult to see, HE has abundantly provided!
HE has given us life, air to breathe, and most importantly,
through HIS undying love HE has allotted us a
chance to engage in a relationship with HIM! The fact that we
still have air in our lungs is a gift I previously took for granted. How many
times in the past did I expect these gifts as if it were owed to me? It is
amazing to me how often I took these things for granted and acted as if I
deserved them. As selfishly "broken," sinful human beings, we are owed
nothing...we deserve nothing (and we certainly don't
deserve his love)! But HE still graciously provides. How
amazing is HIS love!? "Thank you Father for never letting go!
Thank you Father for loving your children and persistently pursuing our hearts
regardless of our imperfection!" Brothers and sisters let's continue to thank
God for each breath we take, and each new day we wake up to. Let's realize that
there is something bigger than our short time here on earth. Let's pusue
meaningful truth, and let's share his amazing LOVE. -One Love!
In HIS grip,
Luke Hsiao
accident medical supplies, groceries, and meals have been abundantly provided
through the love of family, friends, and even people we don't know just wanting
to help. God has continued to show us how sufficient his grace truly is. HE has
blessed us with the support of his loving children in many ways. We are more
than thankful for everyone that has continued to pray for us and support us. It
has been two months since Kellie's accident and I am still amazed by Kellie's
attitude. Though she has had some "bad" days (as we all have had despite our
condition) she continues to press on and believes that God will take care of
her. Kell has maintained an uplifting spirit that encourages all those around
her. She is slowly gaining better control of her arms and is strengthening her
trunk. She can support her own weight for short periods of time when she is
assisted into a sitting position. Kell still lacks dexterity in her fingers but
has been very adaptive in the use of her hands. She has yet to move her legs or
feet but we are still very hopeful as she does have some sensation and feeling
below her chest down to her toes. We are still desperately awaiting replies from
DARS and Medicaid. Please help us pray for a rehab center that will take her on.
She regularly mentions the desire to rehabilitate in the proper environment such
as a rehab or recovery center. We must continue to have faith and put our hope
for healing in God's merciful love.
These words are often times so easy to say but difficult to execute. How
many times do we read about miracles in the Bible and truly dissect the sheer
magnitude of God's almighty power? Do we look at these miracles with doubt and
skepticism or do we truly believe as we say we do? Is God truly as powerful as
you say HE is or has the constant repetition of hearing HIS scripture
desensitized us to the transcendent efficacy which HE empowers? I know that for
me, God's abilities were not truly realized until I divulged this question and
sincerely surrendered every aspect of my life to HIM. Though this may seem
impossible to do at times we must never give up hope and faith. I know this is
difficult because even those who saw Jesus perform miracles and lived their
lives with him lacked faith at times. In Matthew 17, right before Christ healed
a boy who was suffering from seizures, he mentioned to his disciples, "You don't
have enough faith... I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a
mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there.' and it
would move. Nothing would be impossible" (Matthew 17:20). It is astounding to me
that we find it difficult to convene enough faith the mere size of a mustard
seed. While it is so easy for us to say "I have faith," how many of us really
mean it. We must NOT lose faith! Brothers and
sister please continue sincerely praying with me with all your heart, and have
no doubt that God has the ability to heal us and to physically heal Kellie. For
HE states, "when you seek me in prayer and worship, you will
find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul" (Jeremiah
29:12-13). I often times find myself asking, "Are we truly seeking him with ALL
our heart and soul? Do we sincerely believe in HIM? Are we really exercising
faith?" Just imagine what we could do if we possessed faith the size of a
mustard seed. Give HIM a little faith, and HE can do a lot with it!
During this transitional period of my life I have come to understand how
insignificant we are as mortal beings. We are merely the creation of a
preeminent Creator. We are here today and we have no
guarantees of tomorrow. We must acknowledge the fact that he does NOT need us,
yet chooses to love us. Often times I draw many parallels of God's love for us
through the love a parent exudes for his child. For instance, if someone chose
not to raise a child he/she will continue to live their life. Children or the
lack of children will not determine whether or not a couple lives or dies.
Though many people choose to raise a child to enrich their lives, it is not
essential. A couple will continue living their lives whether they have children
or not. Just as a person can live life with or without having a child, God will
be glorified with or without us. While HE will continue to love us HE surely
doesn't need us. It is through his gracious love and mercy that we have life. He
wants a relationship with us, "For God is working in you, giving you the desire
and the power to do what pleases HIM" (Philippians 2:13). While I pray daily
that God will magnify HIS great name through fully healing Kellie, I also
understand that what he has already provided to us is more than sufficient. He
truly is the ultimate provider and he provides abundantly! Living our lives with
this perspective of gratitude is the least we can do for a creator that gave us
life and continues to love us unconditionally.
How much difference is there in Kellie's need for
physical healing from our need for
"spiritual healing?" Whether it is "physical
brokenness" or "spiritual brokenness" we are all "broken." This world is
"broken" and we all desire "healing." This "brokenness" is evident through the
lies of this world we so desperately want to believe. Whether it's righteousness
through self works, chasing temporary thrills, money, sex, drugs, or searching
for belonging we all are searching for happiness. But none of these things
sincerely bring us true joy. Every one of us has sensed a desire and longing for
something to "heal" us, something to fill us up, or simply something to satisfy
us and make us happy [myself included]. I spent so many years of my life denying
the obvious "brokenness" of my heart. When I ignored the evidence of God's
selfless love it was so easy to selfishly pursue the desires/pleasures that
pleased me regardless of the effect it would have on my relationships with
everyday encounters, Brothers and Sisters, and most importantly with our father
in heaven [which we can have through Christ's love and sacrifice]. When we
discount HIS love, it's almost as if we are saying we don't want to adhere to
the obvious emptiness which engulfs our soul without HIM. Because if we
submitted to this thought, would that mean we would be held accountable for our
wrong doings and selfish ambition? This thought had me wondering-- "What then
would that mean if I gave credibility to this idea? Would that mean I would have
to right all my wrongs to earn love?" This question alone seemed to provoke more
denial as I knew there was no way I could right all my wrongs in God's eyes.
There is nothing I could do as a sinful human to compare to HIS magnificence,
HIS perfection, and HIS righteousness. There will never be enough good deeds I
can perform to make me worthy or deserving of HIS unconditional love. It wasn't
until I truly understood this concept (or at least tried to) that I began to
fall deeply in awe of how HE loves us. Such a seemingly simple concept to grasp,
yet I was too prideful and stubborn to accept it.
This continual search for meaning and satisfaction was reconfirmed when I
read an article my little brother showed me. The author of Rethinking
Progress stated "I’m realizing that the sin I need removed
daily is precisely my narcissistic understanding of spiritual
progress. I think too much about how I’m doing, if
I’m growing, whether I’m doing it right or
not. I spend too much time pondering my failure, brooding over
my spiritual successes, and wondering why, when it’s all said
and done, I don’t seem to be getting that much
better...I spend way too much time thinking about
me and what I need to do and far too
little time thinking about Jesus and what
HE’s
already
done." Realizing the truth in this author's attitude is what has gotten Kellie
and I through each day. We will forever be gracious for every little
thing that HE has already done. We try not to focus on
what we don't have but instead redirect our focus on what "HE's
already done" and what HE's already given us. Though at times
it may be difficult to see, HE has abundantly provided!
HE has given us life, air to breathe, and most importantly,
through HIS undying love HE has allotted us a
chance to engage in a relationship with HIM! The fact that we
still have air in our lungs is a gift I previously took for granted. How many
times in the past did I expect these gifts as if it were owed to me? It is
amazing to me how often I took these things for granted and acted as if I
deserved them. As selfishly "broken," sinful human beings, we are owed
nothing...we deserve nothing (and we certainly don't
deserve his love)! But HE still graciously provides. How
amazing is HIS love!? "Thank you Father for never letting go!
Thank you Father for loving your children and persistently pursuing our hearts
regardless of our imperfection!" Brothers and sisters let's continue to thank
God for each breath we take, and each new day we wake up to. Let's realize that
there is something bigger than our short time here on earth. Let's pusue
meaningful truth, and let's share his amazing LOVE. -One Love!
In HIS grip,
Luke Hsiao