Thoughts from Connie Patty

Dear Friends,

Exactly two weeks ago Dave, my husband, was in the hospital waiting for heart surgery.

Tonight, he is upstairs in our home, having already been home six days since his successful mitral valve repair. We praise the Lord for the many ways He cared for Dave prior to, during and since surgery. Thank you for your prayers for him during this time!

Since he is recovering, and on orders from the doctors to not return to work for several more weeks, I asked if I could write to you all this month in his place.

This is not the first time our family has encountered health difficulties. In fact, in the 23 years that we have been married, over half of that time has been spent dealing with trials of this sort. So it’s nothing new!

Do I sometimes get tired of it? Yes, but…

• …I wouldn’t know the Lord like I do without these trials
• …I have experienced His presence and peace in the deepest of ways in the midst of them
• …I trust Him more today than I did yesterday because I have seen and lived in His faithfulness

There is a sacredness to suffering that is hard to explain. Would I wish it on you? No…and yes. I’m not one who looks for hardship! But I also know the other side and trust that when the Lord brings it, He will provide the help you and I need to glorify Him through it.

As I walk through this current “suffering” with Dave, I am blessed by the Lord’s presence and help every single day and believe we are right in the middle of His good and loving will.

Dave should be back “online” with you next month. But until then, we’re going to soak in the Lord’s tender mercies and care, trusting He will see us through to the other side.

Thankful for your prayers,

Connie Patty (on behalf of Dave)