Remember

About an hour’s drive north of Milwaukee is a beautiful beach in Kohler-Andre State Park. We went to this magnificent spot on Lake Michigan on Labor Day with our growing family, our kids and grandkids.

We buried Phil in the sand, then Ethan. Taylor found a deep hole in the sand and plopped herself down and made herself at home. The big kids played in the waves and wore ourselves out. Yes, we even saw a surfer in Wisconsin. It was a great time in the sun, sand and surf, and one of those days you put in the scrapbook of your mind when you want to remember good times with the family.

Labor Day itself is a ‘day of remembrance’ for me. I remember Labor Day, 1993. We were living in Tulsa and many of our friends all went to the lake for that holiday weekend. We did not. Those days were part of two weeks we ate, slept and lived at St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa, OK. Shawna, then eight years old, had some undiagnosed problems with her back that affected her ability to walk and had her in severe pain. They suspected the worst.

We went through tests and needles, and tears. The toughest time of all for this dad was my beautiful daughter's question, “Why doesn’t God answer our prayers?” All I could say was, “I don’t know, but we have to keep trusting Him.”

That period was the toughest in our lives, and brought the greatest breakthrough in mine. It is said that you don’t really know your level of faith, obedience or trust until it is tested. This was a big test. When the doctors were preparing us for the worst, I took my stand and said out loud, so my own ears could hear my faith declaration, “God, no matter what happens to Shawna, I will love You. No matter what happens to Shawna, I will trust You. No matter what happens to Shawna I will continue to serve You.” And I meant it.

My relationship with God changed that day. My worship changed that day. So every Labor Day is my 'day of remembrance', and thanksgiving. It’s been fifteen years, but I still remember:

God walks with me through the valley.
God can be trusted…no matter what.
God knows what He’s doing, even when I don’t.
It’s the struggle that strengthens my faith.
God is my Healer.

The rest of the story? It was not cancer as the doctors suspected, but a major internal infection. After several months of home IV treatments Shawna returned to school and to her friends. She played soccer in school, made the varsity tennis team in high school and has been healthy and active ever since.

I thank my God every time I remember you. Phil. 1:3 NIV

Remembering, and enjoying the journey,

David