“Hear my prayer Lord, listen to my cry for help.”
4 weeks ago I was on the phone with my dear friend Amy.
We were talking about Sam.
My sweet Samuel.
She kept telling me that something wasn’t right.
I was trying hard to agree
but I was nervous.
I had seen him fading.
Getting weaker and falling.
Paler and paler.
I tried to explain it away.
(But that was just fear.)
Deep down I knew something was wrong as well.
I just needed to hear it
from someone other than me.
From my angel friend, Amy.
(Amy you saved my Sam – thank you)
I knew in my heart he was sick.
She asked to call her father-in-law
a pediatrician.
I told her okay.
Hung up the phone.
And waited.
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you.”
My heart raced.
Palms sweaty.
Then she calls back.
“Rach….Rach…Rach”
(I could hear the sorrow in her voice.)
“something is not right with Sam.”
I scratched words on my paper
hearts and doodles
smeared with dropping tears.
Her father-in-law, the pediatrician, knew.
He referred us to Samuel’s new pediatrician.
Amy immediately calls her.
She tells her that Samuel needs to go
not to the clinic
but to the Children’s Hospital.
“When?” I ask.
(my heart now pounding in fear.)
Then I hear, “within the next 24 hours.”
4 weeks ago.
That was what I was hearing right now.
4 weeks.
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”
Would I have known how hard I had to fight?
How I would deal with nurses who believed?
And doctors who doubted?
Would I have known the tests?
The tears I fought back as I smiled and prayed and
looked into his tired face?
Would I have known I would hold him as they put him to sleep?
Feeling his worn body press deep into mine?
(Would I have known the tears that could fall?)
Would I have know how brave Samuel was?
Or how completely exhausted and worn his body was?
(Why did it take so long for them to listen?)
Did I know the strength I would have?
To stay up night after night?
With no sleep?
It wasn’t from me.
It was from the Lord.
“I can do all things through him who gives me strength.”
And now, here I sit, 4 weeks later.
Still in the journey.
Still praying for healing.
But, it’s different now.
Those beginning moments of fear
Of walking into an ER and praying they’d listen.
That’s gone.
Now, I fight a new battle.
A battle for strength and growth for Samuel.
Of praying for nutrients to absorb.
It’s a battle trying to figure out the whys.
What made him get so sick? What triggered Celiac Disease?
Medically why?
It’s a battle against my own fear.
Trusting.
Letting go and believing.
Every day I wake up and wonder
if Samuel will be healthy.
I don’t take the morning for granted.
“His mercies are new every morning.”
I am not alone.
I have my family.
My friends.
I have prayers from you
(and I am so grateful)
and many others.
As the time ticks by
and I see him play
my heart relaxes, joyful for health.
Who would have known what
4 weeks would bring?
4 weeks.
“He is mighty to save.”
13 comments
So thankful for a God who has held your hand every step of the way, and so grateful for your angel friend Amy who had the wisdom to know that Samuel needed help. I am so thankful he is doing better. Continuing to pray that his body will absorb nutrients and that he will get stronger! Rest in His love my sweet friend.
AMEN! He Knew and lead you step by step. He is mighty to save.
Keeping you close to the Lord in prayer.
Much love,
Stacy
i love the hope that is laced throughout this post… it makes my heart glad. samuel will be full of energy and life once more. his body will be restored. eager for what the next 4 weeks will bring – hoping and praying for great progress!
Praise the Lord for friends and sweet Samuel~ He is so adorable and looks like such a cuddle bug.
you are a blessing ~ Cinnamon
Just lost my post…trying again!
Long before you knew anything was even wrong, the Lord was working. He was preparing a way to get Samuel help. He was there with you, helping every step of the way!
The Scriptures are full of such amazing and comforting passages. This is one of the best. Hope they are full of comfort for you and know I’m here praying!
Job 19:25-27 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
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Thank you for taking the time to post. They are so encouraging. My heart goes out to you with all your fears, concerns and struggles over Samuels health. I love seeing your strength and faith in God shine through even in very hard and challenging times. Sending up many many prayers for Samuel, you and your family 🙂
thank the Lord for faithful friends and
for His strength and grace throughout.
i remember samuel every day in my
prayers and look forward to the day
when he is a strapping 6 foot tall foot-
ball player!
he will have a mighty testimony.
Keep using those verses to lift you up! And we will continue to lift you up in prayer.
thanks for sharing…it was beautiful…I think of you and breathe a prayer…
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
I am so glad to hear that he is doing better! You all continue to be in my prayers. This was a very inspiring post. 🙂
Thanks for the updates on Samuel. Sorry I haven’t been able to stop in the last week or two. Out of town and away from a computer. Praying for 100% recovery for Samuel, and peace for the family.
Still praying hard in Seattle!
Psalms 34:4, 6-7 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. (6-7) This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
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