Pomp and Circumstance... (5/26)

First, we would like to acknowledge the fact that it has been way to long since we have updated, and we are very sorry for that, and we thank all of you who have continued to pray for Thatcher and his healing and have prayed for us and our family, we really appreciate it.  The encouragement that we have continued to receive from all of you has come at the perfect time more than once.  On days where we felt defeated and beaten up we would receive a picture of a daughter's prayer request for healing and just remind us of the faith we are to have in our God.  Or we would receive a text message or a facebook message that was exactly the scripture we needed to hear, or exactly the encouragement we needed that day, and always reminding us that we are not alone in this.  So thank you all for allowing God to use you to encourage us on our journey.

Today we find ourselves in circumstances that we never thought we would be in, we never thought we'd be here years ago, and we never thought we would be here a week ago.  Our circumstances seem to change daily, today we are looking at Thatcher and he is resting peacefully on his bed, struggling to breathe here and there, but responding well when we shift his position or stimulate him to breathe again.  Last night we found ourselves terrified every time he seized, because there was a good chance that his entire body would go rigid, every muscle flexed and tensed and his airway would clamp down.  He would turn blue and not respond to any amount of stimulation and he would need to be bagged to be brought out of the episode.  That happened 7 times in a 24 hour period.  A couple days prior we were watching helplessly as Thatcher had over 70 seizures in a 12 hour period that would cause him to stop breathing, and we couldn't do anything until the seizures were over and then we could help him breathe.  Prior to that we were praying to have a tube removed.  Prior to that we were praying for reflux to stop, prior to that we were praying for a safe delivery.  Our prayers have changed with each circumstance we find ourselves in, and that seems fitting, but we have to acknowledge that our God never changes.  Thank you, God that you never change.  Unfortunately, with the ever shifting circumstances we find ourselves thinking about the future, wondering what it's going to look like for Thatcher, for our family, when will we be going home, how will we be going home, and with these questions came fear and uncertainty.  The future is not ours to hold, it is in God's hands.  We are here, now, we live in this moment, the furthest our interaction with the future goes is deciding to let God handle it, to follow where He leads.  Fear and uncertainty are not from God, the peace that transcends understanding does not include fear and uncertainty, these feelings are a lie that have shaken our confidence in God's will, and in what the future holds.  Our confidence is not in the idea that Thatcher will be completely healed because God is able to do so, our confidence is not in our desire or our wish, or even our prayers.  Our confidence is that God is in control, and that God never changes.  This is the same God that causes all things to work for the good of those who love Him.  This is the same God who is victorious over death and temptation.  This is the same God who created the heavens and the earth.  This is the same God that every good and perfect gift is from.  God is good and that will never change.

God help us to be thankful for each moment, for the mercies of each new day, help us to rejoice and be glad for today and not worry about tomorrow because tomorrow is in your hands, help us to be thankful for each breath, help us to rely on You for each breath.  Lord, thank you for where we find ourselves today because You have brought us exactly here, and You will not leave or forsake us, You will lead us to Your glory and to our good.  Help us to trust you, and help our unbelief.  When Thatcher seizes, or he stops breathing, let us rely on you, do not let us become fearful for You are in control.  God, we humbly ask for Thatcher's healing.  That you would cause the seizures to cease, and that you would allow him to breathe with ease, that You would simply hold him and raise him up.  We proclaim Your praise, Your goodness, Your faithfulness, and Your love for us, God thank You for who You are.  We love You, Lord, we thank you, and we praise you.  Would you be lifted high, and Your name praised throughout the earth.  Father, above all, would Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.