God's Child

Today 9-26-11 we went and saw the Ortho for Elijah’s foot and today is St Jude’s day at Chili’s (so eat out!) …. and this is what I am reminded of….

Elijah’s appointment was at Cardon’s Childrens Hospital and Miley see’s a specialist at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. When we walked in to Cardon’s my heart was overwhelmed by the facility. Not because of its beauty or size but because of the children, children that are hurting, sick and some who live with a constant reminder that they may never be ‘perfect’ to the world.

If you have ever spent any time around children who are sick, or have a disability (which I really don’t like using that word either, I’ll explain more in a bit) 1 thing that seems to always amaze me is their zeal for life, this unexplained happiness and the smiles that light up a room. I have always felt they must have some special touch and a secret door to the wonders of God’s beauty and grace.

Growing up I spent a lot of time in the hospital so I may be a little more sensitive in these matters.  Anytime I walk among the halls of a children’s hospital I find myself in constant prayer but also a constant reminder of how much God loves us. He loves every part of us, even our ‘worldly imperfections’ because in God’s eye we were created in perfection. Exactly how he designed us and will use every part to glorify His name. Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

I always reflect back to being a kid and my doctors, nurse and many friends that would spend their days with me in the hospital keeping me busy. Tasha Myers, Brent Erickson, Cheryl Anglin, Justin Ross, Brian Morgan, Cameron Raber… and this list could go on and forgive me is I left some out.  I have memories of them hanging out, keeping me busy and sharing a lot of laughs. My poor parents watch “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory probably 1000 times because for whatever reason that movie always gave me great laughter.

I think of the choices that my parents had to make when I was 8 years old. My doctor gave them 2 choices: 1. I was going to live in Denver at the National Jewish facility because they are the best or 2 move to Arizona and try the dry heat. So why some people complain about the heat - - I praise the Lord for providing a place my family can live, breathe, and serve our heavenly Father.

My parents had a choice that was not easy. Leaving everything. Family. Friends. Jobs. Everything they ever knew to venture out west in hopes I would live longer than the dr’s said. Well let’s just say my God is a whole lot bigger than any doctor… but I am thankful for them and opportunities. And for the record I am 29 years old now, 21 years more than the dr’s had in mind for me.

When I think about to those ‘sick’ times in my life, I knew I couldn’t breathe, my back muscles would ache from working my lungs so hard I always had this urge to overcome. That urge was the “Holy Spirit” had I recognized when I was little I may have been delivering people out of darkness in those hospitals but God had plans and those plans were in his timing.

To me, God has healed me. Do I struggle from time to time- yes! But he has given me life and breath to speak His word, share his love and reach out to people. He has blessed me with an amazing husband and 2 beautiful children.  Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Back to the word ‘disability’ I don’t look at these things as something that will hold someone back but I look at them as a gift, as a way of reaching people, that I might never have been able to, or somewhat understand their position if I had not been there. 2 Corinthians 12: Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.”

 There have been 2 friends in my life that have blessed me and continued to remind me of God’s strength even still. My 2 friends with their ‘gifts’ showed more trust in the Lord and His plans for the lives than seems possible, who still continue to have an impact on my life…..these 2 friends have went on to be with our heavenly Father and someday we will all dance together!  Miss you Ladies, Robin and Shauna.

God uses doctors and nurses, who I am grateful for. I am grateful for facilities like Phoenix Childrens, Cardon’s, St Jude’s who gives kids a chance in life. I am more thankful to God who is our ultimate healer. What that looks like for everyone I cannot say, I just know what it looks like for me.

Next time you meet a child who has a ‘gift’ pray for God’s protection and strength. Pray that in all situations we learn to glorify his name. Pray that God will teach us through whom he desires and that we will have open hearts and minds.

And that we may smile like a child even when life is hard.

2 Corinthians 5

Awaiting the New Body

 1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

I pray for all those children that they may learn to trust and hope in the Lord, My nephew: Hayden, Nora’s: Laynee-bug, my daughter: Miley and the list could continue on, all my allergy moms, asthma moms…. May these children and every child walk in your ways Father and trust in God’s great plans.