Thankful
When I was diagnosed with ALS in 1996, at the age of 36, the Neurologist’s prognosis was that I probably would not live to see my 40th birthday. Our girls were only seven and four years old at that time.
I naturally thought of everything I would miss; like high school and college graduations, interrogating their dates, giving them away on their wedding day and the birth of my grandchildren.
I am so thankful that the Neurologist’s prediction was wrong:
I’ve lived to see both of our daughters graduate from high school and college.
I gave Lauren away on her wedding day two years ago.
And last week I became a Grandfather!
Because heaven is our ultimate future and Christ is our hope, the following verse is true for all Christians – even those of us that are facing difficult trials and those who’ve gone on to their ultimate future at an early age:
“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Posted on December 6, 2013, in Uncategorized and tagged ALS, Bible, Blessings, Christ, Christian, Christianity, Death, Eternity, Faith, God, Grace, Heaven, Hope, Jesus, Thankful, Trial, Trials. Bookmark the permalink. 214 Comments.
When my Dad had his first heart attack, they gave him ten years to live. And he just turned 82 this past October. Only Heaven knows…:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, our times are in God’s hands.
LikeLike
A great story my friend! Thanks for sharing…
Steve
LikeLike
Thank you, Steve.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Praise God for all His many blessing Bill! What love our Father has lavished upon you ;=) Thanks for sharing Bill.
Be A Blessing!
LaTrice
LikeLike
Thank you, LaTrice. I am blessed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Bill,
Missing your voice these days, but happy to find this post from December 2013. I pray God is still surprising you with unexpected gifts and blessings! God bless you and your dear family in this new year.
Elouise
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Elouise. Hope that you and yours have a healthy and prosperous 2015.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved reading this! GOD is so GOOD all the time and all the time GOD is so GOOD! I am excited–I’ll be a grandma in January (2015) with a new granddaughter. I am happy at all the blessings God is giving me, too. I’ll enjoy the time He gives me here, I know where I’m going when He is ready to call me Home. Congratulations on being a grandpa!
LikeLike
Thank you, Susan. Congratulations on becoming a grandma. Our grandson is now 10 months old – we spent the day with him yesterday and had so much fun.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing so openly, Bill. Your walk with the Lord is an inspiration to us all. Only firsthand experience can demonstrate that with God we are in the safest possible hands.
LikeLike
Thank you, Anna.
LikeLike
Congratulations on all of the above!! I know the doctors give us their best guess and what not, but in the grand scheme of things, especially when it comes to the amount of time we spend on earth before meeting our Lord, is all in His hands and works according to His plans. God still has a purpose for you and I love that you’ve gotten to experience all of this. As I go through testing still to determine my exact diagnosis, at times the deceiver will seep in and I start wondering if I will be around for these types of things. Then I have to push those thoughts away. For none of us are promised tomorrow. I’ve enjoyed clicking through your site today and reading. Haven’t been here in awhile and you’ve written some really incredible stuff! Congratulations again!
LikeLike
Thank you very much, Laurie.
LikeLike
Just found this post by a very indirect route but am overwhelmed by its beauty and sincerity. May you and your beautiful family share many more joyful experiences and years together. Thank you for reminding me that we can depend on our Lord.
LikeLike
Thank you so much.
LikeLike
What a beautiful story of hope and courage!
LikeLike
Thank you, Linda.
LikeLike
Congratulations, Bill. Also lovely you want to share this witnessing with so many. Such witnessing are important in the Work of God, because we can only be happy to be allowed to become his work-instruments and to receive His blessing which overrule all human prospects.
It always shall be the God Creator of heaven and earth Who shall decide how it shall turn out. Believe in His Power therefore is often (I would say always) stronger than human prediction.
As a Grandfather I do hope you shall find renewed energy to let your grandchildren also know the blessings you have already received in this life and the hope we all may have in a future life.
God bless you and your family.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your comments.
LikeLike
Congratulations! You have beautiful family and a beautiful testimony to go with it. My dad was told in 1989 he only had 2 years at most to live due to Hepatitus B destroying his liver through cirrhosis; He contracted it working in surgery. He is 75 years old, walks 5 miles a day, and is back working as a consultant for the hospital. Some days he is on his feet 14-16 hours a day. His liver was almost destroyed, but God has kept him alive! Our God is so good!! God bless you mightily!!
LikeLike
Thank you, Juliana. I love hearing stories like your dad’, it’s so encouraging and faith-building! I am so glad you still have him with you.
LikeLike
Beautiful! Congratulations on becoming a grandfather! :0)
LikeLike
Thank you, Juliet.
LikeLike
No Doubt the Lord of lords and King of kings holds the keys of death. He can give us life in abundance or take it away. What an awesome testimony of Jesus’s graciousness in your humility. Blessings in Christ Jesus!
LikeLike
Amen to that, Al! Ultimately God holds our lives in His hands.
LikeLike
The Lord is always faithful to those who are faithful to Him. Someone once sang “Only Him can do what no man can do, only Him can change what no man can change, only Him can handle what no man can handle, only Him can change the doctor’s report”. I join you to thank Him for life, and life abundantly.
Thanks for passing by, and wish you a healthy 2014.
LikeLike
Thank you, Sally. I like the words to that song!
LikeLike
Hi Bill! Wow, what an overcomer you are! All I hear from your words that I’ve read so far are the wisdom of God! Thanks for visiting my blog because it brought me here… Praise God!! How great it is to connect with a fellow sufferer who lives to glorify Christ. I must spend more time here reading your words and will share this blog with the readers of my blog, so they can be more blessed and encouraged in their race. Blessings to you and your family 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Lori!
LikeLike
Congratulations on becoming a grandfather!
I hope you had a nice Christmas. May your 2014 be filled with God’s blessings.
Nancy
LikeLike
Thank you, Nancy. I hope you and Cranky Ken have a blessed 2014.
LikeLike
Wow God is incredibly good, what a testimony
LikeLike
Thank you. Merry Christmas!
LikeLike
Congratulations, Bill, on the birth of your grandchild! It is always a huge blessing to read your posts.
Merry Christmas to you, Mary & family ~ Wendy
LikeLike
Thank you, Wendy. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing such an inspirational journey. And, by the way, congrats on your new grandson! I have my one and only Xander. He is just 15 months old and the light of my life. Regardless of how I feel, he can always make this grandma smile. The love for a grandchild, is only known by a grandparent. So glad you beat the odds. Keep up the good work. Spread the word. You are so inspirational, I’m going to start following your blog right now. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
LikeLike
Thank you very much for your encouraging words and for following my blog. Merry Christmas to you and yours – I’m sure you’re spoiling your grandson this Christmas.
LikeLike
You’re quite welcome. I hope your Christmas was a good one. I spoil my grandson every day. LOL just can’t help myself. Now, you have the best New Year, ever! I’ll be seeing you around when I make my rounds to other blogs. I first have to reply to each and every notification I receive and that sometimes takes quite awhile, but I will be back around to see how things are going for you. Stay well, my friend.
LikeLike
Thank you and Happy New Year!
LikeLike
🙂 I hope all is well with you and your family. I’ve been away for a few weeks battling this flu and bronchitis, can’t seem to kick it. I’ll be back soon, friend.:)
LikeLike
What a lovely family! Maybe you should send a group family photo to that neurologist (grin). As an RN, I can tell you that neurologists and neurosurgeons are not noted for their bedside manners.
LikeLike
Thank you, Sheryl. You are so right about the lack of beside manners. I quit going to ALS doctors many years ago because I don’t really need a Neurologist – there’s no (medical) cure for ALS so it’s kind of pointless for me, after 17 years with ALS, to go to a Neurologist. Besides, that doctor is about a 90 minute drive.
LikeLike
🙂 Amazing! Beautiful! Bill, I am creating a puddle and I can’t get the water to quit flowing. 😀
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful part of your life. Congratulations, Grandpa!!! 😀 Take care and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas! – Amy 😀
LikeLike
Thank you, Amy. We are enjoying being grandparents. Grandma is sitting next to me holding the baby as I’m typing this. Merry Christmas!
LikeLike
Thank you for visiting my blog – and leading me back to your wonderful story of courage.
LikeLike
Thank you, Isabel.
LikeLike
Precious. Glad to know.
LikeLike
Thank you, Diana.
LikeLike
This has me so misty-eyed–what a beautiful story of hopes realized, and proof that God is Sovereign over all that happens here on earth, including drs diagnoses/prognoses. I’m so happy for you, Brother–what a lovely family you have. God Bless you BIG, have a joyous Christmas–love, sis Caddo
LikeLike
Thank you very much, Caddo! You are so right about God being sovereign. He is also good. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
LikeLike
Deeply inspiring. Wish you very well and seasons greetings for a merry Christmas.
LikeLike
Thank you and merry Christmas to you also.
LikeLike
My aunt was given 6 months to live over 40 yrs ago when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer – she passed away last year at the age of 85. God’s plans sure do not agree with doctors prognosis at times does it! What a testimony of faith you have as well for everything God has done for you in the midst of your trial. May God continue to bless you with His presence and congratulations grandpa – the perfect gift is that of a baby!
LikeLike
Thank you, Patty. As you know, Pancreatic Cancer is one of the most difficult to treat and the outcome usually is not good. But, like your aunt, I have a friend that has Pancreatic Cancer and was given a similar prognosis nine years ago. I am so thankful for doctors, but they’re humans too – they cannot KNOW what the future holds.
Merry Christmas!
LikeLike
Christmas blessings to you and your lovely family!
LikeLike
Wow, this was a very impactful post. And for reminding us all to celebrate the good even when the difficult comes. What a beautiful daughter you have!
LikeLike
Thank you, Jennifer. Merry Christmas!
LikeLike
What a beautiful Christmas story, full of hope and joy. May your faith continue to uphold you in times of challenge. Many blessings.
LikeLike
Thank you very much.
LikeLike
What you’ve wrote here is very inspiring. I hope that you continue to have a good and happy life.
LikeLike
Thank you, Tom.
LikeLike
You’re very welcome!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Totally Inspired Mind… and commented:
The story I aired about Gabby and her new diagnoses of ALS got the attention of an extraorinary man who writes a blog called Unshakanle Hope at http://www.Unshakablehope.wordpress.com.
I want to connect him to Gabby and her parents. He would be like an angel bearing great news and proving doctor’s sentences are oftentimes wrong. After all, they aren’t God!
Paulette Motzko
LikeLike
Thank you for the kind words and for the re-blog, Paulette!
LikeLike
What a wonderful story to read. You beat the odds and besides, doctors are far from God. It would be like thinking all lawyers are honest-which I already know they aren’t three times over!
(I would like to see an honest one!) 😉 My name is Paulette Le Pore Motzko and I am happy you spotted the story I wrote about Gabby and being diagnosed with the same thing as you.
You could give great hope to her and her family in so many ways.
As a person who is an “abled disabled” lady, I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 9 and the doctors were wrong all the time.
Where do you live? Are you close to CA?
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Paulette. I would like to read your post about Gabby; I will search for it on your blog. We live in Texas.
LikeLike
It is the lead story there. I know you will give them hope.
LikeLike
Wish there was a LOVE button, by the way. 🙂
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Congratulations, Bill. Tears of joy and gratitude for you and your entire family. What a blessing. XO!
LikeLike
Thank you very much, Lori!
LikeLike
Congratulations on your new grandchild, a true blessing from the Lord. We are inspired by your strength and will keep you in our prayers.
LikeLike
Thank you very much, especially for your prayers.
LikeLike
The Almighty is using you in many lives. I know if we stand strong, there is no doc alive that can predict when our Father will bring us home.
Congratulations on the grand baby!! Praise Him
Stephanie
LikeLike
Thank you very much, Stephanie!
LikeLike
I so praise God for you and your wonderful, touching family posts. How you inspire others with your incredibly positive outlook on life, despite personal adversity. You are consistently and literally in my daily prayer walk each day.
Later on today, I am going to nominate you for an “Excellence in Blogging” award so please look out for it on my site. This one’s easy to accept because you simply pass on a list of those who have exhibited excellence in blogging. This certainly describes you! I know God is going to be so proud to say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!” when He welcomes you . . . but hopefully, not yet, not yet. I’ll talk to you then. 🙂 Blessings,
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Ellie, for your encouraging comments, your prayers and the nomination!
LikeLike
AMEN!! Congratulations to you and your family. With God nothing is impossible 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
That’s right, Laura!
LikeLike
Congratulations on the new bundle of joy and addition to your family!
What a beautiful post. It’s another treasure to hold close to your heart, along with your beauiful testimony that continues to touch many lives. Thank you for sharing.
After my husband pasted away, there were many of those same milestones where there was an empty place no one else could fill. What a blessing for all of you to have those wonderful memories together.
May God continue to provide many more opportunites to share your “Unshakable Hope”!
LikeLike
Thank you very much. I am so sorry that your husband wasn’t there for those milestones; I feel terrible for young widows and widowers, especially those with children. How long ago did your husband pass away?
LikeLike
Have no idea how I found you this evening, but so glad I did. You are a light that will not be hidden. Bless you for continuing to shine and allowing the Lord to use you to build His kingdom. Bless you for your surrender to a God that frees us with His undending love.
LikeLike
Thank you very much for your encouraging message, Susan.
LikeLike
This is so beautiful. What a blessing. How beautiful to witness the arrival of your new grandson and be a part of special events of your children lives. Doctors only know part of the story. God knows the full story from beginning to end. Isn’t it wonderful to know God’s plans are never the plan of man. Amazing! Blessings to you and your family.
LikeLike
Thank you, Joaynn. I am so glad that God writes our story!
LikeLike
My pleasure. I am too 🙂
LikeLike
Praising God that He is the Great Physician and Comforter. So glad you got to experience all these wonderful moments. Praying for many more for you. Skye
LikeLike
Amen and thank you, Skye!
LikeLike
God’s grace is greater… Congratulations on your beautiful new grandchild!
LikeLike
Thank you, Joy. I am so thankful for God’s grace!
LikeLike
Pictures of God’s grace….love it!!
LikeLike
Amen, Valerie!
LikeLike
Beautiful, Bill…congrats on that lovely grandbaby, too!
LikeLike
Thank you, Denise. I get to meet him for the first time later today!
LikeLike
I’m glad that you disproved the doctors. What a wonderful post. I’m so happy for you. Congratulations!
LikeLike
Thank you, Lisa. I am glad the doctors predictions were wrong.
LikeLike
Congratulations, on so many life events you’ve been here to celebrate.
LikeLike
Thank you, Patti. I am thankful that I’ve been here for all of those events!
LikeLike
Awesome!
LikeLike
Thank you, Gertrude – it is awesome!
LikeLike
God is Good !!! When he opens a door, no man can close it. The last verse you quoted reminds me of what apostle Paul said, To live is Christ and
to die is gain for the believer.
LikeLike
Thank you. I agree completely – God is good!
LikeLike
Your life is a reflection of God’s truth. None of us knows what a day will bring. None of us can predict the minutes or years. What a beautiful thing, to know that your fears were honesty talking, yet God has blessed you with additional years and a JOYFUL life beyond your wildest dreams. I hope you continue looking to him, the Author and Finisher of our faith. I cannot fathom walking through the difficulties of life without Him.
LikeLike
Thank you, Bonnie. I cannot fathom walking through life’s difficulties without Him either!
LikeLike
Congratulations on your grandson! I’m so glad that God has the final authority on the number of our days, and that He is blessing you with many more years to spend with your growing family.
LikeLike
Thank you very much!
LikeLike
Congratulations, grandpa! Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
Thank you, Patty.
LikeLike
Congratulations on the birth of your grandchild. Praise God for your wonderful news! He is indeed a miracle working God. Season’s greetings and God’s blessings.
LikeLike
Thank you. God truly is a worker of miracles.
LikeLike
🙂 Best wishes to you and your family.
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike
You and your loving family are such an inspiration to all. Thank you so much for that. May God continue to love and protect you and yours. (Thanks Paula for sharing. I remember visiting a few years back!)
Marie Jones
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Marie. It’s good to hear from you. I hope you are well.
LikeLike
It gave me chills of joy to read your post! My heart overflows with thanksgiving for all our wonderful Heavenly Father has done and is doing in your life. You are a walking testimony that our God truly is the God who makes the impossible, possible! (Mark 10:27). What comes to mind is “a child is born, rejoice”. I am pretty sure there will be lots of rejoicing in and by your family this Christmas season. Enjoy!
LikeLike
Thank you, Diane. We are rejoicing!
LikeLike
Praise God for His many blessings! How fun your Christmas will be with a new little one!!
LikeLike
Thank you, Shelly. We are looking forward to having a child around for the holidays.
LikeLike
God is so very good! Loving your testimony, and would love to read more. Blessings to you during this sacred season.
LikeLike
Thank you, Julie. Blessings to you and yours also.
LikeLike
Congratulations Bill. How awesome. Yes, what a testimony. God is certainly with you every step of the way. In our weakness He is strong, if we let Him be. I am blessed to know you and your story of courage via WordPress. Many Blessings. Leslie
LikeLike
Thank you, Leslie. You’re so right; He is strong in our weakness. I hope you are feeling well.
LikeLike
Wow. I love that you are being graced with God’s miracles. It;s a comfort to be reminded how active God is in our world everyday. Sometimes I begin to doubt and then I read something like this and feel God is speaking through you in this accounting of your life.
LikeLike
Thank you, Amy. I may still have ALS, but, as you said, God has graced us with miracle after miracle. It’s okay to doubt; doubts and other challenges (persecution, trials…) to our faith result in growth. At least that’s what I’ve found.
LikeLike
Your testimony is so inspiring & encouraging. May God blessings & healing continue to flow throughout you & your life. Be blessed always!
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Vickie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, praise the Lord all the day long! Congratulations! You have a beautiful family and I’m glad on your behalf for the experience of such joyous occasions!
LikeLike
Amen and thank you, Tanara.
LikeLike
Such a wonderful witness of the Lord’s grace … His love … and your trust and hope in Him … congratulations all round .
LikeLike
Thank you very much, Liana.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Hopeful and commented:
Great inspiration!
LikeLike
Thank you very much for the re-blog, Tom!
LikeLike
God’s plan was somewhat different than your neurologist… so glad that you are able to share in so much of your family’s lives…. Diane
LikeLike
You’re right, Diane, God’s plans are usually much different than man’s. I am thankful for doctors, but when it comes to predicting the outcome of diseases like ALS or Cancer the patient has to be careful because the prediction can become self-fulfilling.
LikeLike
So glad that you got to be a grandfather – congratulations!!! And so glad that Christ is your hope!!
LikeLike
Thank you, Barb.
LikeLike
Congratulations, Bill. God bless you and yours!
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike
How cool is THAT!!! Congratulations! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Hope.
LikeLike
I am so happy for you. Being a grandparent is the most wonderful blessing. We attended the first of many Christmas programs this morning. I am so thankful for my eight grandchildren. They make me smile all the time. I am also so grateful that you are here and being able to enjoy all the blessing that are coming to you. You have gone above and beyond and you are here to support your daughters. I have lost three wonderful people from my life to ALS. I know the difficulties that go with it. God Bless you every day.
LikeLike
Thank you, Linda. Eight grandchildren! Wow, that’s great; you will be attending many Christmas programs – hopefully for many many years! I am sorry that your life has also been touched by this dreadful disease!
LikeLike
What a beautiful post. Thank you for being in our world and sharing yourself so generously.
LikeLike
Thank you, Cindy. I enjoy this blogging world:-)
LikeLike
Congratulations Grandpa Bill! Your verse from Jeremiah is one of my favorite verses. Best wishes for a very Merry Christmas to you, Mary, Lauren, Leah and the rest of the family!
Paula’s friend, Alaina
LikeLike
Thank you, Alaina. Merry Christmas to you also. (I was thinking about you when I was watching LSU beat our Aggies a few weeks ago:-)
LikeLike
Congratulations on becoming a Grandpa! As a grandma I can tell you that being a grandparent is the most wonderful gift we receive from God. When my first grandchild was about to be born, an elderly family friend told me that grandchildren have a way of making you forget anything bad ever happened in your life! 🙂 Enjoy every precious moment! What a wonderful God we serve! I am so glad that the doctors were wrong with your life expectancy. What a blessing! I am so happy for you and your family with your new addition. Merry Christmas!
LikeLike
Thank you very much, Elaine. I am looking forward to forgetting the bad and focusing on the good!
LikeLike
Awesome. I got chills reading it and seeing the paper. God is so, so gracious.
LikeLike
Thank you very much, Kate.
LikeLike
I am THRILLED to hear the news about little Jude. What a legacy that little fellow has in his Grandma and Grandpa–their strength, perseverance, and faith under trial!
LikeLike
Thank you, Nancy. “Little Jude” isn’t so little; he was 7 pounds 15 ounces at birth and Lauren didn’t have an Epidural. She’s tough – women are tough! 🙂
LikeLike
My congratulations should have included Lauren and her husband. (Shame on me.) Jude IS good-sized for a firstborn. Yes, women ARE tough. Whoever called women “the weaker sex” didn’t know what he was talking about. (He was probably single!!) To be fair, though, men have to be tough in other ways.
LikeLike
Isn’t our Lord gracious with His grace and ever so tender with His mercy that He would give you this time. Praise the Lord His faithfulness never ceases. ~ Blessings ~
LikeLike
Thank you, Deborah – Amen!
LikeLike
Awesome! You have indeed been blessed and I wish you much more of the same. But you’re right; our ultimate hope and future is in those beautiful mansions above.
LikeLike
Thank you, Christine. All of us with heaven in our future are blessed with hope.
LikeLike
Beautifully put. HE knows , He knows. 😀
LikeLike
Amen Cathy!
LikeLike
Congrats! Awesome post! I really enjoy your blog. It often refreshes me when I need a boost.
LikeLike
Thank you very much, Marie.
LikeLike
Thank you for allowing God to use you through your thanksgiving and trials. Your blog is truly an inspiration. Your daughters are beautiful . . . . Congratulations Grandpa!
LikeLike
Thank you, KD. I am a proud dad and grandpa!
LikeLike
Congratulations! What a beautiful family you have! God is SO good! You are going to LOVE being a Grandpa, it’s truly one of God’s greatest gifts 🙂 I am so happy for you and your family!
LikeLike
“Looking at them, Jesus said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.’” Continually I’m reminded of His goodness. This post was one of today’s reminder. Merry Christmas!
LikeLike
Congratulations, Bill! …I’m still here too! 🙂 Whate’er betides, the Blessing abides.
LikeLike
It’s good to hear from you again, Allan. I’m glad you’re still here!
LikeLike
It reminds me of Caleb in the scriptures, who at around 85 years old, recounted how the promise God had made to him more than 40 years earlier held true. Testimonies like these are vital in strengthening the faith of our brothers and sisters. Thank you because it did just that to me. To God be the Glory, To Him and His Son Jesus-Christ forever. Amen!
LikeLike
Thank you very much for your encouraging comments.
LikeLike
very beautiful post!!! you are a miracle, ALS usually kills swiftly. But as you and I know, the last word lies with God and God alone, may you see your grandchildrens children 🙂
LikeLike
We serve a faithful God! He has certainly been with you and your family.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing your story with us and reinforcing how amazing God is!
May you and your family have a wonderful Christmas season and continued blessing in the New Year and beyond!
LikeLike
Beautiful! Congratulations on becoming a Grandpa! God clearly didn’t listen to the Doctors. 🙂 Blessings to you and your family!
LikeLike
Yay!!!!!!! Congratulations and many blessings, Grandpa! Thank you for your encouraging thoughts and bringing God’s Word to light!
LikeLike
Praise God Grandpa! Thanks for sharing this journey and congratulations!
LikeLike
Congratulations on being a grandfather, Bill. What a sweetie! What the doctors evidently did not know back then, is that our Lord still has work for you to do. 🙂 What you do here, your encouragement and your gift with words, is a marvelous testimony to the goodness and grace of our God. I always look forward to your posts and am always in awe of our Father when I read them. Grace and peace to you today!
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your encouraging message, Rebeca! Apparently God still has something for me to do:-)
LikeLike
For that reason we keep our eyes on Christ for he alone has numbered all of our days. No other report matters! Praise God for his goodness in your life. He is faithful! Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
Precious milestones you were blessed with! And the precious future you’ll see…
LikeLike
Thank you, Cindy. I am thankful for every milestone!
LikeLike
My reader did not display the while post. Now I see you not only gave your daughter away. You became grandpa! This gives me chills. Praise God!
What a Christmas gift!
Peace of Christ to you,
Alexandria
LikeLike
Wonderful! God is so good. We’ll look forward to those wedding pictures!
LikeLike
Wow! Congrats! What an amazing testimony!
LikeLike
Wonderful and all praise to Jesus! Also, congratulations, grand-dad!
LikeLike
Thank you, Mike.
LikeLike
Thank you for continuing to point to our Hope in Heaven and the person of Jesus Christ. I sense the Holy Spirit here whenever I visit and read. He is using you … and one day you will see to the depth of how much He has done that.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your encouraging message, Heidi!
LikeLike
Your daughters and your grandchild are beautiful!
LikeLike
Thank you, Nicole. (Our daughter, Leah, middle name is Nicole).
LikeLike
Even though I do not know you personally, I, too, am thankful the prognosis was incorrect. My heart soars to read your posts. Praise God from whom ALL BLESSINGS flow!
LikeLike
Thank you, Karl. I am so glad to hear that your doctor was wrong. Ultimately our times are in God’s hands.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing the blessings and struggles of your life with us. What an inspiration:-) May God continue to bless you and your beautiful family.
LikeLike
Thank you very much. God bless you and yours also.
LikeLike
Bill
I’m thankful that you are still here to have touched my life so! Love the verse! Thanks for sharing! Beautiful baby! Congratulations Grandpa!
LikeLike
Thank you, Diane. I guess I’m going to have to get used to being called Grandpa:-)
LikeLike
Bill, this is a beautiful testimony to the enduring healing power and very great love and mercy given to you by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and that He desires for us all. I am so thrilled for you to have witnessed these incredible milestones in your daughter’s lives and now you are a grandfather! Many, many congratulations to you all!
The scripture you shared at the end is one that the Lord spoke to my heart as a new Christian some 32 years ago and I see His hope and His future in all that he has blessed me with even when so many things seemed to go so very wrong.
God bless you and your family Bill and thank you for sharing this inpsiring message of Hope and beauty 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Sherri. I love that verse because it shows God’s good intentions for us – it’s like the Old Testament version of John 3:16.
LikeLike
Yes, it is a wonderful verse 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for the testimony. I need it-I have cancer.
LikeLike
God bless you, Pastor. Praying healing for you.
LikeLike
\(^_^)/ Crying tears of joy for you and your family. Congratulations!
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Rene.
LikeLike
Amen! What a wonderful, happy post. A blessed Christmas to you and yours, grandpa!
LikeLike
Thank you. A blessed Christmas to you and yours also.
LikeLike
God is good! Bill, you are a ray of hope to people! Thank you for so generously and graciously sharing your life journey with us. May you and your family enjoy each other and every good gift from the Father above, this Christmas.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Vera.
LikeLike
You constantly inspire me!
LikeLike
Thank you, Sr. Dorcee.
LikeLike
Congratulations on the new little life, and it’s wonderful that God is in control of life and that the drs. cant be sure when Gods timing will come into play. I am encouraged by your testimony and am very glad you know Him as Savior. Recently I was going over what has happened in my life and I can’t imagine going through any of it without God. Without God, there is no hope. I am so glad God is in your life and you have been blessed with seeing what you could have missed. Have a great day in Jesus.
LikeLike
Thank you, Correna. So many times Mary and I have talked about how difficult this trial would be if it wasn’t for God’s grace. I agree with you – without God there is no hope! I am glad you have that hope too.
LikeLike
Bill,
Congratulations on becoming a grandfather!!! What a CHRISTmas it will be this year!!!!!!!
Patrick
LikeLike
Thank you, Patrick. It’s going to be a great Christmas.
LikeLike