God's Hand!

NOTE: This is a loonngg post...you've been forewarned!  So grab some coffee and a cookie first...

 

My son was in the hospital last week...and I've so seen God's hand in the whole experience that I just MUST tell and sing His praises!  I'd just had a discussion with my Dad about how we shouldn't just Pollyanna situations...seeking to see the good and be thankful just for what we can squeeze out.  I asked, "How do we thank Him in the hard things?  What does it sound like?  Will I be able to do it?"  My Dad told me it would be hard...but basically I'd find my answers in proclaiming what I knew to be true about God's Sovereign character.  He was right...God is good...all the time.

Calubby had a virus in February...it was pretty bad and I nursed him through it per usual.  The BRAT (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) diet, rest, plenty of liquids.  It'd been going around.  I wasn't too worried but then it got strange.  He'd be better for a few days and then vomiting again.  I was puzzled and, I'll be honest, a little annoyed because it had lasted so long and my schedule looked like chop suey.  Those of you who know me, know I like my schedule orderly.  I was struggling with myself, struggling about being a Mommy first...first before any ministry or school or church commitments.  I see this as God's hand...maybe a good loving smack from that hand...to make me fully committed and content with His plans for me. 

I'd been thinking of just sending him to school the next time he threw up cuz he seemed to be fine after, no fever and I was MISSING STUFF...sigh.  I'm so glad God again showed His hand of Sovereignty and worked changes in my heart so that I kept him home...again.  I was met with lots of love from the co leader and staff I felt I was "letting down"....they pointed me to Truth.  I was going to need that love and pointing in the days ahead. 

I am grateful that when his pain increased we were at an already scheduled Dr's appt.  God's hand.  We had the best nurse we have ever had draw blood from Caleb.  This was a big deal cuz he's had some pretty traumatic blood draws with his allergies over the years.  Not only was she a fabulous vampire...but when he threw up near the end of the draw, she calmly finished the draw and was sweet and wonderful to us!  God's hand.  When we went over to radiology to get an upper GI...we had 2-3 wonderful nurses working with us...who spent 2 hours trying to get him to keep barium down and move it to the right areas to light up what we desperately needed to see.  They were patient and kind.  God's hand.  

We were sent to Riley Children's Hospital.  God's hand was all over this...as we live very close to this wonderful facility!  When we were sent to Riley my neighbor, who isn't always home, was home!  She stayed with sweet Emma late into the night.  A huge blessing.  God's hand.  It was rainy and rush hour but God kept us safe and allowed me to chat with the GI Dr. anticipating our arrival.  She rarely, if ever, calls patients before meeting them but due to God's hand she knew our pediatrician and called and got us all set up so when we arrived we only waited in the ER for 5 minutes.  Totally God's hand!  Oh, He is so good.  

We had great nurses...all the way to admitting time and throughout our stay.  I had opportunities to share Christ...His goodness and how I was seeing His plan...why I had such Peace.  People don't really understand peace.  They think you're super human....which is super not the case...God just gives peace like a river....amazing...and beyond understanding.  When I was most scared or tired...He brought Scripture vividly to my mind usually via songs flooding my heart.  God is so good.  

A few songs were...

In Christ alone my hope is found.  He is my light, my strength, my song; this Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm.  What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!  My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand.  

My God is so Big, so Strong and So Mighty there's nothing my God cannot do...  the mountains are His the valleys are His the stars are His handiwork too...My God is so Big, so Strong and So Mighty there's nothing my God cannot do.

He hideth my life in the cleft of the Rock That shadows a dry, thirsty land;  He hideth my life in the depths of His love And covers me there with His hand, And covers me there with His hand.

I see God's hand in making Darren's work flexible and understanding.  He had a doozy of a week scheduled and yet his boss was great about letting him be with us and with Emma as needed.  He's paying for it a bit this week so please pray for him.  He's tired.  And also...just a sidenote right here...ya'll know how I usually hate on social media, etc.  BUT...I'm super grateful for it.  The whole time I was in the hospital and going through this journey with Caleb, I was able to request prayer and get support via technology.  Without it there wouldn't have been much of any outside encouragement because the hospital had a no visitors policy. God is good.

In the days that followed God showed His hand continually...He made my friend Cathy completely willing and able to help me by taking Emma off the bus and pottying the dog.  I see how He even bonded Emma with Cathy's grandson at a time where caring for and playing with a toddler was just what Emma needed as a comfort.  God's hand.

I am blessed with a great husband...who was Mr. Laundry...and very patient with his ridiculously tired wife.  Things like this are good marriage strengtheners...and I see God's hand in all of that too.  I'm sure there are other things I'll think of after I post this...but you get the idea and this is already super long.

God is in control.  His ways are perfect...Great is His faithfulness.  God is good all the time.