This is the first Recent Reflections post of 2020. Recent Reflections goes live the third Friday or Saturday of each month. Each Recent Reflections post covers something that I'm reflecting on. If you'd like to share a post with a similar theme, feel free to leave a comment with a link to your post, and I'll hop on over and leave a comment (and maybe some other readers will, too).
This month, I will be reflecting on the power of commas.
If you have been reading my Weekly Weigh In posts recently, you will have read about my middle kid's health issues. It's been a long 3 and a half months, and we are still no closer to any answers. We can tell that his labs are not 100% normal, we can tell he is not well, but nothing is abnormal enough to treat or to refer him to a specialist over at this time. In fact, after getting the most recent test results back, the neck CT scan we had planned is now on hold and the specialist referral is also on hold. We are in "observe" mode for the next 3 months unless he gets a lot worse or something new crops up. I have a hard time with waiting when it comes to my kids' health because I hate to see them going through illness and the like, but it's where we are.
I find myself praying that he will get better or that whatever this is will manifest itself enough so that we can know what it is and work on helping him get back to 100% again. I find myself asking God why my son has to face this, why his labs have to show just enough to prove that he isn't just being a lazy or stressed out or depressed teen (he is none of those), but not enough to help us figure out what is causing the fatigue, lack of appetite, headaches, nausea, chest pains, etc. I wonder why when, just when we think we have a direction, the labs don't 100% support it or his health improves in one area and gets worse in another or a new symptom pops up. It makes us both feel a little crazy to keep taking him in, and I pray they won't start thinking we're making things up. I'm grateful that the labs at least show that we're not crazy - there is something up. We just don't know what that something is.
In this time of uncertainty, God keeps whispering these words to me, "Be still, and know that I am God:" (Psalm 46:10a {KJV}), and I find myself remembering a devotional that was given to us when I was in college about that comma.
I am not to just be still and know that He is God, I am to pause and breathe. I am to take a moment to stop and stay stopped while thinking on the fact that He is the Almighty Creator, the Lord of lords, and that nothing is too hard for Him or goes without His notice. If He is God (and He is), He's got this, He loves my son more than I do, and He has a timing for answers and a purpose for this. This time in my son's life is not just for me - it's for my son. It is for God to use to show something real to him. It is not even just for us - it's for all those watching.
So, for now, I remember the power of the comma in that verse and what it and God are reminding me to do - rest and breathe. God is still there. God is still hearing me. God still sees. It is just time to trust, be still, and remember Who He is.
If you would, please continue to pray for us. We (that includes our son, not just us parents) are not asking for this health issue to be taken away exactly (though God is certainly able to do that, and that would, of course, be wonderful), because we want God to do what is best even if that means having our son go through this and waiting for at least 3 more months for possible answers. What we are asking you to pray for us is for peace and for God's wisdom for all involved. Thanks so much!
I truly hope this post has been a blessing to your heart, or at the least made you stop and think a little. What has God done in your life lately to bless you? What are you reflecting on?
Have a wonderful weekend!
If you have been reading my Weekly Weigh In posts recently, you will have read about my middle kid's health issues. It's been a long 3 and a half months, and we are still no closer to any answers. We can tell that his labs are not 100% normal, we can tell he is not well, but nothing is abnormal enough to treat or to refer him to a specialist over at this time. In fact, after getting the most recent test results back, the neck CT scan we had planned is now on hold and the specialist referral is also on hold. We are in "observe" mode for the next 3 months unless he gets a lot worse or something new crops up. I have a hard time with waiting when it comes to my kids' health because I hate to see them going through illness and the like, but it's where we are.
I find myself praying that he will get better or that whatever this is will manifest itself enough so that we can know what it is and work on helping him get back to 100% again. I find myself asking God why my son has to face this, why his labs have to show just enough to prove that he isn't just being a lazy or stressed out or depressed teen (he is none of those), but not enough to help us figure out what is causing the fatigue, lack of appetite, headaches, nausea, chest pains, etc. I wonder why when, just when we think we have a direction, the labs don't 100% support it or his health improves in one area and gets worse in another or a new symptom pops up. It makes us both feel a little crazy to keep taking him in, and I pray they won't start thinking we're making things up. I'm grateful that the labs at least show that we're not crazy - there is something up. We just don't know what that something is.
In this time of uncertainty, God keeps whispering these words to me, "Be still, and know that I am God:" (Psalm 46:10a {KJV}), and I find myself remembering a devotional that was given to us when I was in college about that comma.
A comma is used to remind you to pause and take a breath.
I am not to just be still and know that He is God, I am to pause and breathe. I am to take a moment to stop and stay stopped while thinking on the fact that He is the Almighty Creator, the Lord of lords, and that nothing is too hard for Him or goes without His notice. If He is God (and He is), He's got this, He loves my son more than I do, and He has a timing for answers and a purpose for this. This time in my son's life is not just for me - it's for my son. It is for God to use to show something real to him. It is not even just for us - it's for all those watching.
God has reminded me that He will use this, too, to make Himself known - I just have to let Him be seen.
So, for now, I remember the power of the comma in that verse and what it and God are reminding me to do - rest and breathe. God is still there. God is still hearing me. God still sees. It is just time to trust, be still, and remember Who He is.
If you would, please continue to pray for us. We (that includes our son, not just us parents) are not asking for this health issue to be taken away exactly (though God is certainly able to do that, and that would, of course, be wonderful), because we want God to do what is best even if that means having our son go through this and waiting for at least 3 more months for possible answers. What we are asking you to pray for us is for peace and for God's wisdom for all involved. Thanks so much!
I truly hope this post has been a blessing to your heart, or at the least made you stop and think a little. What has God done in your life lately to bless you? What are you reflecting on?
Have a wonderful weekend!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Feel free to leave a message or email me directly (See the "Contacting Me" page for more information on how to do this.).
Please note that all comments must be approved before they are published, and no anonymous comments are allowed (you can email me if you don't want to leave a public comment). I'm sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Thanks for reading me! I love to hear from my readers so keep the comments/emails coming! :)