He wields an empire to bless his children...

"It is implicit in Scripture that all the mammoth political forces and all the giant industrial complexities, without their even knowing it, are being guided by God, not for their own sake, but for the sake of God's little people - the little Mary and the little Joseph who have to be got from Nazareth to Bethlehem. God wields an empire to bless his children."

                                                                        John Piper - Good News of Great Joy, December 4th.

The girls are tucked up in bed having their naps, I have emptied the dishwasher and sat down with my Bible, a cup of tea and this free devotional for advent. My bible has been well fingered these past 24 hours. Clutched and cried over. Searching and seeking the promises of God. Reminding myself of the truths I happily accept in the good times, and cling to by a fingernail in the tough. Amazing how, as CS Lewis so aptly puts it "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our consciences, but shouts in our pain. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

The quote at the top jumped from the pages of my devotional today. Jumped, screamed, shouted at me... Reeling me in as I sucked in a breath at the words that went straight for my heart.

These words have been our exact experience these past 24 hours.

It seems God has, indeed, guided the giant industrial complexities for the sake of our little Heidi. The jab, which our little one was due to receive this week, has ceased to be produced by its one UK manufacturer. It is impossible to get hold of as a result.

We are so thankful.

As I trawled the Internet last night, seeking a way of locating this drug which we believed would spare our daughter the chicken pox which is so dangerous to her, my attention was drawn to the small print. On discussion with our cardiac nurse this morning, it has come to light that such a vaccine would in fact be dangerous for Heidi and put her in the way of the very illness (Reyes Syndrome) which we are trying to protect her from.

Had the vaccine been available, Heidi would have gone ahead and had it tomorrow with no questions asked.

The giant industrial company, Sanofi, has run out in the exact week we needed it.

Praise God.

I sit here, thankful, overwhelmed, awestruck. There simply are no words.

Thank you all for your prayers, messages and care of us. We are thankful for you all. Most of all, we are thankful to our Heavenly Father who yet again has shown that his plans are better than my plans, his ways are better than my ways, his desire for Heidi's good is greater, even, than mine.

Praise be to Him.