Once Upon A Prayer

Monday, March 17, 2014

Filled to the Measure

 I am worn thin.  I am weary.  Watching Lily suffer, endlessly, has taken its toll on me.  I have been pulled in more directions lately emotionally and physically than I can even count.  And certainly  more than I can handle...alone.  At the end of a much needed chat with my sister Lori, she reminded me that the only thing to do during a time like this is to bury myself in the word.  To carve out time, every single day, between just the Lord and I.  To breathe in his promises and meditate on them.  


Ephesians 3:20-21 are perhaps two of my absolute favorite verses in the entire Bible.  "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!"  But the gems buried directly before those verses, that I tend to skim through to get to my "favorites", were salve to my soul today.  

How grateful I am to know this love that surpasses knowledge!

"For this reason I kneel before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name
I pray that out of His glorious riches 
He may strengthen you with power through His spirit in your inner being, 
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you,
being rooted and established in love, may have power
together with all the Lord's holy people,
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep
is the love of Christ,

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -
that you may be filled to the measure
of all the fullness of God."

Ephesians 3:14-19

Catching some rays yesterday afternoon


Lily had a very rough day today.  She woke up feeling yucky, and it turns out that her sodium levels are very low again.  I feel like I am experiencing the worst case of deja vu, and I am quite certain that the Prednisone is making Lily hyponatremic just like the Budesonide steroid did.  Lily was given a couple saline boluses, and they held two doses of her diuretics.  I feel like the past week of working so hard to get the fluid off Lily has all been for not.  But I agree with the team that it is important to keep Lily safe from seizures, even if it means that she will be puffy again. 

As frustrated as I am.  As defeated as I feel, Lily continues to amaze me.  She always reminds me that no matter what, I must always choose HOPE.  This morning Lily gently wiped the tears that streamed down my face as I placed her in the wagon.  On our ride around the Heart and Kidney Unit, Lily sang, "God is faithful, God is faithful!"  

Yes Lily Grace, God is faithful...always.
 
There is a very important meeting scheduled tomorrow, Monday, here at the hospital to discuss our Lily Grace.  Jacques and I have prayed that God will make our decisions clear and our path for Lily known.  Please join us in praying for that miracle.



4 comments:

  1. Dear Lord, we ask that you be with Lily's family at this time. You know their hearts, their struggles, and their frustrations better than any. You hold them in your hand.

    Father, we first ask that you bring healing to this precious little girl. Her sweet little face brings joy to those that meet her. You are the great physician. You created Lily. You know all about her. Heal her Lord Jesus.

    We ask that you be with Lily's mom and dad as they have to make some very important decisions for Lily. Calm them. Help them to be still and know that You are God (Psalm 46:10). Help them to feel alive in You more and more each day. Speak to them and guide them in their direction for care of Lily and their other children. Whisper to them that they can do all things through You, Jesus Christ their Lord (Philippians 4:13). Guide them. Put your loving arms around them. Give them peace.

    We ask all these things in the name of Jesus, the Son of the Most High God. Amen

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  2. My heart breaks for you, Emily. We've been out of town, and I've tried to keep up, but just now read this. I'm praying, hoping, believing! Love you -- how I wish I could give you both a hug! <3

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  3. I'll be praying for you. I remember seeing Lily's picture while we were waiting to bring home our Emily. She's had her own struggles with low sodium and hospital stays. She's finally doing better now. Her Chinese name meant hope. We added Mei to it making her our Beautiful Hope. While we were in the midst of struggles, sometimes that "beautiful hope" felt like a mockery of all our plans and dreams for our family. I know that God has a plan for Lily and your family. I hope that you will be strengthened knowing that He cherishes your "hope and future."

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