as we consider the sweet anticipation of this Christmastime, let us not forget those who are being overwhelmed by tragedy. please pray for dustin salter and his family. today i finally read the updates that i have been avoiding out of fear. i am so selfish that i dont want to hear of no change in his condition. and i am even more selfish because i dont want to spend my day crying for his wife and three children. i want to be happy and joyous during this festive time. so selfish. i am trying to imagine what things must be running through leigh anne's head (his wife)as she contemplates the season. does she even realize it is Christmastime? what must her children think? they miss their daddy so, yet they are children and dont even fully understand what the worst case scenario could be. even though they are presently living it, no doubt. i am so blessed to have my husband around and yet i complain when he works late. my children miss him putting them to bed once or twice a week, yet dustin's children may never again enjoy this luxury. it is a luxury. this world is fallen and base and such joys are only shadowy foretastes of eternal pleasure. yet we would demand them. i demand them everyday when i arrogantly abuse these luxuries and delude myself that i deserve them. when i act horrified that this woman was robbed of her husband and really i am glad that it wasnt me. oh God, that You would forgive my great oversight. my arrogance and refusal to see You as the beginning and the end of all joy. that i would see this trial as Your Hand and it would draw Your people closer to You, instead of tightening our fearful grips on our earthly comforts. that i would mourn for my sister. truly mourning and interceding for her and for her children.

pray that dustin would recover. all the way. that he would awaken from this vegetative state. the medical terms seem permanent and threatening, but our great God can raise the dead.