One year ago today, my baby girl and I were in St. Louis for a major and life-changing surgery for her. Back then, I shared some of what we were feeling in a post here. Here’s what God’s taught us in the year since I sent her back with Dr. Park and his surgical team: We are called to be faithful, not fruitful. We went into this surgery knowing it was right for Zoe but with no way of knowing … [Read more...]
I’m being brave tomorrow.
My baby girl is having a major surgery tomorrow. Which means I'm being brave tomorrow. You see, bravery isn't bravado. It isn't arrogance. It isn't some evolved sort of inner strength that is only for a select few of us. True bravery is looking fear in the face and stepping forward anyway. This sort of bravery requires faith. Actually, I'd say it requires faiths, more than one. I … [Read more...]
The Prayer Quilt
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness. Isaiah 61:10a When Joel arrived home from school today I wrapped a tangible answer to prayer around his bulky, eighteen-year-old shoulders. A prayer quilt, stitched and knotted with prayers for peace; for physical, mental … [Read more...]
Face to Face
The first two Halloweens of our son's life were complete busts. The first one because he was hospitalized because of feeding tube complications. The second because he freaked out whenever he saw a kid wearing a mask. And he saw lots of them. Because I was an elementary teacher in a very small town. Where all my students rang our doorbell and said, "Trick or treat!" Right after I invited them … [Read more...]