Memory Lane

Around this time of year, it's difficult for me not to begin walking down memory lane.  Tomorrow, December 21, is the five year anniversary of Dad's attack - a powerful display of God's mercy in staying the hands of his assailants from killing him and allowing them to be apprehended just two days later in a high speed chase through downtown Indianapolis and brought to justice.  Talk about a surreal experience!  Christmas 2009 for the Blankenship family will certainly never be forgotten.

From the moment this tragedy happened to the sentencing hearings almost a year later, our desire has been for those involved in this violent crime to come to saving faith in Jesus Christ.  In the courtroom at the conclusion of both trials, Dad was able to look at these young men straight in the face and point them to the cross, to the everlasting forgiveness found in Christ. 

Though it has been five years, we haven't lost contact with these guys.  As I ponder afresh all that God did for our family through that entire ordeal, I am given renewed zeal to continue to pray for them.  One in particular has written Dad several times this past year and given him the paper work necessary to come and visit him in prison.  Even if it's only one soul, the pain of what we endured will be well worth it in seeing another person acknowledge Jesus as their Savior!

Will you continue to pray with us for these two young men?  God has brought them into our lives through some rather creative means, but we love them and care for their eternal destiny.  We long for nothing more than to see God's gospel purposes fulfilled through our suffering.

As I walk down memory lane, my eyes are opened more and more to behold the beauty of God's wisdom and ways. Only God can take pain and suffering and turn it into a display of his power and faithfulness.   We thank him for his grace and look forward to seeing how he continues to write this story to the praise of his glory.