And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19

Twelve years ago I was home from college for the summer, and I found an old box of letters that my Grandma had written to our family over the years.  One particular letter had a profound impact on me when I read it then, and today I was reminded of it.

My Great Uncle had just had a heart attack, and my Grandma took the train to Colorado to stay with her sister and to help where needed.  During her down time she wrote the letter to our family.  I am privileged to come from a heritage of faith, and my Grandma was reflecting on how the hope of Christ had helped them through the challenges they were facing.  She then quoted Philippians 4:19 and reminded us how God is both big enough and caring enough to meet all of our needs.

I know some people are skeptical about faith and about the church, and I can understand some of their reasons why.  There are people in the church who are hurtful with their words, and many feel disappointed with or forgotten by God.  Even still, there is no manmade institution or government that is capable of dispensing love and care in the way that Christ’s body – the church – can do.

I think that Kari and I feel the same way right now as my Grandma felt when she wrote that letter.  Our little family had to be separated this week as our newborn daughter, Madelyn, had to be taken to the NICU at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital due to abnormally high bilirubin counts.  Mom wasn’t able to accompany baby because she was still recovering from her C-section.  The outpouring of love that we have felt from our family – both biological family and church family – has been nothing short of amazing.  Our heavenly Father has storehouses of resources at his disposal, and he lavishes them upon us as His children.  Charles Stanley once said, “God takes full responsibility for the life wholly devoted to Him.”  Where would we be without that?  Hopeless.

Baby Madelyn is now off of the bili-lights, and she will be reunited with mom later today.  If all continues to go well, she will get to go home tomorrow.  Words can’t express our gratitude to those who have so lovingly cared for us.  How do people survive without such love and support?  Now I understand why the Church was and continues to be God’s plan to reach the world with the hope of Christ.