The Irony of Life

I just got done re-reading my last post and I have to say that when you put words out into the universe, you better be prepared to live it. Yesterday morning at about 7:30 Sydney woke up and asked to take a shower. She was in there about 15 minutes and as I lay in my bed waiting for her to let me know she was done I heard an incredible thump. It sounded as if 50 shampoo bottles had fallen off the ledge into the tub. My stomach immediately turned over because I knew I didn't have 50 shampoo bottles in my shower. I literally sprinted into the bathroom and found her passed out in the bottom of the bath tub not moving her body but her eyes sort of rolling around in her head. I yanked her out of there and started to get her fully concious. Bob called 911 and that was the start of a very long day.

We went to Evergreen and by the time we made it there she seemed pretty stable and with it. No bumps on her head, which was a total miracle, and no bad headaches. After seeing the doctor he determined that she just had a fainting episode from either over heating or having an upset stomach that can all possibly trigger that type of event. But, when they started taking her blood pressure when she was standing it was still really low and she was still feeling dizzy. So, they started an IV (a whole other story with a 7 y/o), and after 1 1/2 bags of fluid she started to get perkier. And then breakfast seemed to help a little too. They finally released her at about noon time.

I was so emotionally and physically drained for the rest of the day that I couldn't even really process everything that happened properly. I just know that it was another opportunity for me to show God's hand in our lives. I knew there was something there for me to learn and I never want to miss a chance to allow life's challenges to make me into the person I was created to be. I so love my children. They are my world and I would gladly exchange places with them if I knew it would relieve their pain. But, not only do I have to have courage in front of them, they have to learn courage too. Just a day before this happened I was sharing with them the story about Gideon from the book of Judges. We were talking about how an angel of the Lord showed up and referred to Gideon as a "Mighty Warrior". That was before he had ever done anything that required much courage. In fact, Gideon was pretty clear about the way he saw himself...His family was the least of all the families in his tribe, and he was the least in his family. Those were his words...not mine. And, that's what he tried to remind the Lord of that one day. But, God had something different in mind for him...regardless of how he saw himself.

I believe that applies to all of us. There are so many things in this life we feel we aren't capable of. How we see ourselves, however, is not how God sees us. And, we think how we see ourselves is reality. But, the truth is that how God sees us...is reality.

Sydney got her first chance to experience being couragous and doing what had to be done in the strength of the Lord. She was scared and so many things were happening out of her control...out of my control. But, we know that God is bigger than our circumstances and he has called us to be "Mighty Warriors". He is insisting on complete trust from our family right now...each and every one of us. And, to quote Habakkuk 3:17-19 which is our prayer today:

"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. the Sovereign Lord is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains."

We are so grateful that the Lord has protected our daughter and allowed this to pass for now. But, also we are grateful for the lessons learned and for the strength to do what needs to be done. God is faithful!! Have a very blessed day! Tanya