Monday, February 6, 2012

A husband's thoughts


 I want you to know I write this with a smile on my face and in my heart.  The last week and a half has been unreal.  I don’t know if I would call this a trial a test or just a crazy time.  There are lots of things that can happen during times like these – but I definitely know the true heart of people can really come out.   

Here are three truths that I’ve observed in this process:

·      God is real.  He is close to us, His presence is with us and His peace truly surpasses all understanding.  I’ve known these things, I’ve taught these truths, I’ve preached these things.  The last week and a half, I’ve experienced God’s with-ness in incredible ways.  I thank God that He is God and I am not.  I thank Him that He is the one who created the universe, created Susie and created our baby inside of her.  I praise Him for who He is and how He loves us.
·      My wife is amazing.  Seriously.  Seriously.  She is courageous, beautiful, humorous and she’s mine.  A lot of you have been able to experience her through her writing, her posts or other ways.  I want you to know it’s not a front she puts on.  She is real.  She is a woman who is grounded in how much God loves her, in who He has created her to be, and the journey that God has for her – regardless of what the journey is.   I love being her husband – it’s one of the greatest joys, gifts and privileges God has blessed me with.  I wish so much she wasn’t going through this, but I can’t imagine anyone handling it with more grace than she is.  She’s amazing and she’s mine and I love her.
·      People rise to the occasion when trouble is near.  We’ve been blessed by so many of our family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and prayer partners worldwide.  We are part of the global family of Athletes in Action and the global church.  We have so many people around the world encouraging us, praying for us and supporting us.  Thank you to each of you . People we know, people we don’t know, people who have been in our lives recently and people we haven’t connected with in awhile.  Regardless of who you are or how long its been, if you’ve met us in person or not, thank you.  We feel loved, supported, prayed for and encouraged. 

We head to the hospital today and surgery is scheduled for tomorrow.  We don’t know if this is the start, the middle or the end of the journey.   There are so many things we don’t know, but clinging to God’s love, the love of my wife and the love of others helps us each moment of each day. 

12 comments:

  1. Tears flowing. Way to go, Ben :) Seriously though... beaufitul, beautiful, beautiful. Your Susie is amazing, as are you. I love you all so much and it is truly a privilege to walk this journey with you guys.

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  2. The Thomas fan club has opened an Iowa chapter and we welcome new members.

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  3. Dear Ben,
    I do not know you are Susie, but my husband Mike and I are blessed to know the Thompson family. They have shared with us your story and I have begun to follow your blog. We feel a strong connection in our faith and we are praying for you, for Susie, for all of your children—born and not-yet born :)
    I know you can feel it, I know Susie can, too. There is a large web of prayer going out for your family. And it won't stop tomorrow. It will continue on.
    Warm regards,
    Meena

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    1. Yes, all of Richmond, Va (or the Thompson network) is thinking of you and holding our breath for good news today.

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  4. Ben - we have been praying daily for you guys! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. You and Susie are both amazing people and we are blessed to have you both in our lives! Love you both! - Natalie (and John)

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  5. While we hurt for our daughter and while we pray fervently for God to continue working in her heart and her body; while we love her with a certain kind of love only a parent can express; while we consider ourselves enjoying His blessings to us through our children far beyond any expectation of blessing our self-centered sinfulness could conjure up; while we are humbled by and glorying in the raising up of prayer by family, friends, and faithful warriors all over the world; we are also thankful to have a son-in-law in Ben THomas, who loves and leads his wife and kids passionately, and who is a man of God seeking to contribute to the discipleship of our grandchildren that they might become men and women of God. We could ask for no man better, for his heart is for Jesus, and that is what we had prayed for for all the years of Susan's childhood, that he might help her, his kids, and us become people with that same heart. God, do what you will do! Thank you for drawing us to yourself.

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  6. Many prayers continue to go up for you all as you prepare for tomorrow. The noise must be deafening in heavenly places.

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  7. Hey Ben, praying for you and your beautiful family, Doug

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  8. Ben and Susie, we continue to pray for you all as you walk through this time carved out by God Himself. I don't understand it, nor wish it for you and Susie, yet I know God is there with you, never leaving you, never hesitating with His love and mercy. May you know His presence every moment. He is good. He is a Redeemer of all. We are praying. Dave Beeler

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  9. The Wolff's and our congregation, friends and family are praying today. Love you guys!

    Tracey(Tarkington) & Nate Wolff

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