His Grace is Sufficient

"God desires to give us something much greater than relief - He wants to give us victory." ~ Terrie Chappell

I'm so thankful for a loving God Who knows what's best for us. If it were up to me, I'm sure I would choose a life of ease with no heartache, yet God knows better and has a great plan for my life. Over the last week Josiah has been struggling with GI issues again and I've had such an anxious heart of what has been going on. It's amazing how, if we let Him, God can work through the trial and hardtime instead of just getting us out of it like we would rather Him do. On Thursday, Josiah was so sick that his doctor wanted me to bring him in to be seen. Once we got there she was concerned about a few things and wanted to do an xray of his stomach, start an IV, do lots of bloodwork and give him meds to help with what was going on. My heart broke as I knew it would be a long day for him with things he would not be too happy about, yet I prayed that the Lord would use me to be a testimony while we were there. I also prayed that the Lord would help me be strong for Josiah and that he would not see his mommy upset.

So, the time came for the xray and I was waiting for my husband to arrive from work. The doctor wanted to get things moving in case he had to be admitted to the hospital so she said the faster we get it done the better. I was fearful because I knew I would not be allowed to go into the radiology room being pregnant and also knew that it would be very hard for Josiah to get a "picture" taken of his stomach with no one he knew back there. My dear friend called at the perfect time and said she was going to be right in the area and she would go back with him if it would help. What a blessing friends are - for her to think of me not being able to be with Josiah and then offering of her time to help! I'm so thankful for friends that are so encouraging and such a blessing that they reach out at the exact time you need it!

After the xray, Daddy made it and we spent the rest of the time trying to get an IV in, doing bloodwork and doing meds to calm his stomach down. During the many attempts of getting the IV in, I had to hold his little face towards me and talk to him so it would keep his mind off what was going on. The Lord gave such grace. As I would tell him mower story after mower story, the nurse responded to one that I was telling about Josiah and Pastor T mowing at the church. She then said "Oh, what church do you go to?" We said "Heritage" and she asked "the Heritage on Spriggs, Road?" We said "Yes, that's the one" and found out she goes to Grace down the street. Through all my conversations with Josiah trying to keep him calm, I thought, people really are listening and watching our lives - what a testimony we can be even when we are hurting. Christ can give us grace through it and others will see that things are different in our lives. One of the sweetest moments was when he was really struggling at the thought of having all these nurses around him and we're all holding him down as they try to get the IV in and I asked if he wanted to pray and ask Jesus to help him and he just shook his little head saying "yes, mommy". It's such a special time when you pray with your children and even they are watching our lives in how we respond to situations that God allows. What a challenge that is to me, as a mother, to be the example I need to be for my children to see Christ work.

Josiah will need to see the GI specialist again and there are things at home we are doing to try and help with what's going on. For now, we are praying that God will give us wisdom on how to help him and give the Doctors wisdom to discern what's causing all the issues. I'm so thankful for a God that loves me. I'm so thankful for a God that loves my family, even more than I do and wants what is best for our lives.

My Grace is Sufficient

There are trials in this life that we can't understand
There are questions why the Lord would include them in His plan
Hearts full of pain, crying out in misery
"Lord, where can I go and from this heartache be free?"

He says my grace is sufficient for your every need
When you can no longer stand, child rest in Me
For in your weakness, I will be your strength
And through my grace your consolation I will be

The Lord has promised in His Word that He'll never depart
He brings trials in our lives, to stretch and mold our hearts
The turmoil we feel today will be the peace of tomorrow
His promise includes bringing joy out of sorrow!

~Rachel