I don’t blog because I just can’t wait to share about me and my family, making myself vulnerable and transparent. Or because I think my story is so interesting. Or that I’m some great writer.

Words don’t always come easy and my posts are laden with typos and grammatical errors. And it feels strange, sometimes, that people, whom I’ve never met, feel like they know me well. Not in a bad way or anything. Just a little…strange.

I don’t blog for the same reasons that I guess a lot of people do. I write because I just can’t contain my experiences which lead to a greater understanding and love for God. One who is supremely powerful, yet still tenderly kind.

I write about my struggles and experiences for one purpose. To bring honor and glory to God because, at the end of the day, His grace is the only reason that I am still able to say God is good. And His grace is the only reason for HOPE in something really wonderful that reaches beyond sickness and pain and death. Hope in eternal life with the One who is all light and no darkness.

I have two friends, Drew and Melissa Franklin, who demonstrate this so beautifully, daily glorifying God through their testimony of faith. Drew is battling a rare type of cancer and has been in treatment for almost a year. Today, he and Melissa are staying in the hospital yet again.

Drew was admitted to the ICU Thursday. On his oldest son’s birthday.

Melissa traveled back to their home to have cake with her son and pack their three little ones to stay with grandparents. All before heading back to the hospital in the late night hours.

I have stood by (as close as I can while still caring for Justin), offering support, as Melissa spends every waking moment juggling motherhood and caring for her husband. All while trying not to look beyond the stress of each given day. I have seen evidence of Drew’s incredible suffering due to pain, fatigue and inability to breathe properly.

But.

They continue to trust God’s sovereignty, admitting struggle, but NOT losing heart. If anyone I know is living out the following scripture, it is these faithful friends.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2Corinthians 4:16-8

Please pray for Drew and Melissa, that they may keep their eyes fixed on what is unseen, and on the future eternal weight of glory that has been purchased for them by our Savior, Jesus Christ. Drew is thin and pale and cancer has abused and weakened his once strong body. But he is still looking to the One who is the Author and Finisher of his faith. (Hebrews 12:2)

What an awesome testament to God’s grace. I simply can’t contain their story, which fits together so perfectly with the intent of this blog.

My desire and purpose is to tell stories which encourage a deeper faith, rooted in grace and blooming with hope. Grace be with you, my friends.