You Delivered Us, And We Will Honor You

I want to take a moment to thank you all for praying for our sweet Addy. Her surgery is over, and we’re still in awe of God’s answers to our prayers. He alone is to be praised and we give Him all the glory. This is one of those stories that we’ll repeat to our children and grandchildren.

Addy’s surgery updates are here, for those of you who didn’t see it.

Monday was a blur. We were attached to our phone and computer for updates all day. I drank some tea and ate a few bites, but for the most part, I had no appetite and time just stood still.

My day can basically be summed up in two words: fervent prayer. I begged God for mercy for Addy and my sister. I couldn’t stand the thought of Addy being paralyzed after she’d come so far by learning to walk and run with all the cousins. I wanted to see her running on Rye Beach with us this summer. And I certainly could not stand the thought of my sister losing another child. It was something I couldn’t accept.

At some point in the day I remember wrestling inside: “What is it that makes prayer effective? Is it the fervency? The faith behind it? The consistency? And what makes me think that God will grant this prayer of mine? I’m such a wretched being. He knows my weakness. I’m afraid to ask and be disappointed, so I am basically double minded.”

Then I had this picture in my mind. It was of one of my children asking Peter for something they wanted. One child was begging. It was pretty annoying. It was an insistent begging. A will-filled, I want it my way demand. I thought of those mentioned in scripture who thought they would be heard for their “vain repetitions.” I knew that wasn’t right.

Then I though of a lisping child, who went to a father because He knew the father was good and kind. The request was spoken imperfectly. The words weren’t right, but he knew where to turn for help. THIS was right. I’m praying to God because I know that He is my Good Father. My prayers have little to do with me or my ability at all. My prayers are directed to Him because of who He is. My faith in His goodness and steadfast loves drives me to Him for help.

After this, I pretty much was at peace. The wild emotions stopped, and I was able to rest in God’s goodness, no matter the outcome.

Happily, the answer coming back “Granted in Full” and we were brought to our knees again, this time in thanksgiving and joy. I’m so happy that our sweet Addy will walk and run and live. God is good and we’re certainly rejoicing in Him.

God is good even when life is hard. I mentioned to a friend that trials make us sane. They re calibrate our hearts and minds. They pull away the blinders and distractions that hinder us from realizing how truly dependent we are for everything on God. When we go throughout our day, barely giving a thought to the God who sustains, that is the definition of insanity. Reality is this: We need God. We depend on Him for life, breath, and being whether we know it or not. Trials are a great gift, causing us to see clearly who we are and Who God is.