Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Happy 9th Birthday!!


 
As always, Grant's birthday has been a day of reflection for me.  His leukemia diagnosis came on this day 6 years ago.  6 years?!?  I really can't believe it!  It seems like yesterday and so long ago all at the same time.  It's amazing to me the things that Grant does not remember about this horribly traumatic experience.  But, he still has a story to tell. 
He doesn't remember all the pokes...pokes in the finger, pokes in the arm, pokes in the back, pokes in his port.  He doesn't remember crying over the pain in his legs.  He doesn't remember being bald.  He doesn't remember slurred speech, drooling, and not being able to stand up during a TIA episode. He doesn't remember the fretful nights of fever wondering if we should call the Dr. and go to the ER.  He doesn't remember the anesthesia that he had such a hard time waking up from.  He doesn't remember all the medication he took and how awful those dang steroids made him feel.  He doesn't remember being isolated from children.  He doesn't remember the fear, frustration, anxiety, helplessness and pain.
But, when we talk about his story, the first thing he will tell you is that GOD healed him.  Grant remembers that so many of our wonderful friends and family prayed for him.  He remembers that people came to visit him and do nice things for him.  He remembers that he loved getting to eat whatever he wanted in the hospital.  He remembers that the nurses (and child life) were nice and took good care of him.  He remembers that we got to go to Disney World and Lighthouse Family Retreats.  He remembers that he was given an amazing playground for our backyard.  And, of course, he remembers all the sporting events we got to attend.  These are the important things!! :)
I have scrapbooked Grant's cancer journey so that he can remember...the good and the bad.  But, it's all part of his walk with the Lord....the good that we could see in the moment and the bad that God turned to good.
We are so blessed to be on this side of the fight.  We are thankful that God chose to heal Grant and truly believe that He has big plans for him. God is good and in control, even when we think our circumstances are not good and things are out of control.  We will choose to remember that God conquered the fear, frustration, anxiety, helplessness and pain and in it's place brought healing, peace, comfort, wisdom, and freedom. 
We serve an amazing, loving God.  I can't imagine going through this life without knowing Him.  And I can't imagine facing eternity with uncertainty.  If you do not know Him, you can.  You just need to Admit that you are a sinner and are separated from God because of it.  Then, Believe that Jesus is God's son and died on the cross to forgive those sins.  Finally, Confess that you need His forgiveness and are saved by His grace.
Life is hard and knowing God doesn't prevent you from going through struggles.  He just gives you the tools you need so that you can live in abundant joy, no matter the circumstances.
I am thankful for Grant's story and pray that God will always be glorified through it.

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