So, on Wednesday, I decided it was time to put a stop to this downward spiral and set myself a goal, to somehow manage at least two prayer sessions during the course of the day and to have read at least one Bible passage. The prayer sessions were a little easier than anticipated and the Bible reading took place at the kitchen counter while simultaneously trying to gulp down a sarmie and make Sam a bottle, while Brampies battled with a particulary clingy Sam for a few minutes. Seeing as I have missed a good few daily readings, I decided to start on 15 June and work my way back (it made sense at the time) and I managed to work through the 14 June as well.
A quick side-step : It is important to note at this point that part of my petitions earlier that morning was a request for Him to at least acknowledge that He hears our prayers and hasn't completely forsaken us.
As I was about to head out of the kitchen, I glimpsed the devotional for 13 June. It said :
"Believing - We Receive
If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink (Jn 7:37)
Are you thirsty? Then drink. "Now this is the confidence we have before Him: whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him or" (Jn 5:14-15). Here are the principles:
Confidence - "the confidence we have before Him:"
Conversing - "we ask anything"
Condition - "according to His will"
Conviction- "we know that He hears whatever we ask."
Consequence- "we know that we have."
I thought - here's the acknowledgement I was asking for.
A short while later I received a text message from Sammy's great-aunty Anthea. She said that she'd put in a request for us to be considered by two of our local radio stations for their respective "random acts of kindness" programs.
I thought - here's the acknowledgement I was asking for.
A couple of hours later our minister showed up for an impromptu visit to see how Sam was doing and to pray for us.
I knew - He hears us.
Now, there's been no miraculous healing going on overnight, no huge lump sum of money anonymously dumped into our bank accounts...what there has been is a slow but steady improvement of Sam's health over the past two days and the comforting knowledge that, despite the saying that when times are hard friends/family are few, we still have family who care enough about us to put themselves out there in an attempt to ease our burdens.
So, Sam is still coughing terribly and his nose may as well have been glued shut with cement, but he's been wanting to play more as opposed to just lying on my lap for hours on end and he's even been rewarding us with that good ol' smurf charm and laughter. I am not expecting much relief for myself until 11 July, when I will be going under for the ENT procedures mentioned previously but as long as Sam is doing better, it's all good. I know my insistance at trying to treat Sam at home may have seemed incredibly unreasonable...not to mention the inconvenience of the "please help" emails I had to send Sam's paed when it looked like we were losing the battle (Dr B's inconvenience, not mine) but that's why I keep stressing the importance of surrounding ourselves with specialists/doctors who can relate to your circumstances on an emotional level, as well as a professional level. Let me give you a prime example : at Dr B's office on Friday, when about to examine Sam, I asked him if he wanted me to remove Sam's shirt and vest. He said it's best to keep both on because Sam will probably moan. I thought - Nah, it's warm in here and Sam seems pretty calm and settled, let me take the shirt off so that Dr B can examine him more comfortably. What do you think happened? Sam started squirming and whining in protest! The lesson? When your doc knows your child as well (and very occasionally better) than you do, you're in good hands :)
In the midst of all our chaos, Sam has had a haircut...well - half a haircut at least (the reason why there's only a front view..hee hee).
BEFORE :
and AFTER
I am so humbled by this post and will continue to pray and do whatever it takes........and yes if we believe it we will see it......so glad that Sam is getting a little better. He is in such good capable hands and what a blessing to find such Medical people.....our God is sure great!!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear Sam is getting a little bit better. Your family is always in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDelete