Gratitude in the midst of trials

I was reminded today that no matter how difficult life gets there is always something to be grateful for. It was very hard to say goodbye to Ben and the kids and not knowing when we’d returned made it harder. But God has remained faithful every step of the way. He has made provisions for us even when we weren’t sure how things would turn out.

Our flight was hard as we were delayed for an hour on the tar mac due to technical difficulties. Being stuck in a hot plane with no air to cool down a cardiac baby who does not do well with heat was hard but God was faithful to provide grace for me to keep Zeke as calm as I could and provided a seat buddy who was so gracious.

Our first day at Sick Kids started early at 7:45am with all of the testing required for the team to know where Zeke’s heart is at. It ended late afternoon and again I was grateful for the grace to deal with a babe who had to fast for most of the tests.

I was so grateful for snuggles today and the ability to comfort Zeke through some of the pokes and tests they had to do because I know the days are coming when I can’t hold him or rub his back to comfort him.

Tomorrow Zeke will be the first case for the cath team. The entire procedure should take 4 hours with an overnight hospital stay. The hope is that there are no complications during this diagnostic cath and they're able to provide the team more information on his heart, the valves, and veins that are currently blocked or partially blocked. Please pray that there are no complications and they are able to gather all the necessary information. Pray we do not need to stay in the hospital overnight.

I’m grateful for the saints the Lord has provided who have been so generous to our family financially and provided us with scripture, encouragement and continued prayers. I’m so grateful for the two sweet families helping us with our kiddoes.

I am most grateful to God, who through this difficult trial has continued to remind us of His goodness in our lives and faithfulness to never leave or forsake us. He has been a loving father who has been and continues to be abundantly good to our family.

We don’t know the road ahead but we know the One who does, our faithful Heavenly Father. He is over every single detail and cares for Zeke more than we do. I continue to find comfort in Isaiah 26:3 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

Suffering is not pleasant or welcomed but at some point we will all experience it. We’ve been reminded to do as the Psalmist did speak to our souls when we find we are burdened and remind our hearts what God’s word says. This sums it up for us and will continue to:

1 Peter 1:6-9

"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Romans 8:18

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Romans 8:37-39

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”