A Month in the Life

As I get older, it seems that life's joys grow exponentially, but so do its griefs. It used to be that "bad" things happened just ever so often - in between patches of normal, happy life. Now it seems these extreme joys and extreme pains co-exist constantly.

This latest observation began the week of my due date. My husband and I received a phone call that our two nephews and niece had been in a horrific car accident with their grandmother. Two were life-flighted to a hospital, the other two taken to a closer, local hospital.

My husband and I jumped in separate cars to cover both hospitals. On the way there, I went into labor. Being just the beginning stages, I wasn't sure it was labor, so I didn't say anything.

Everyone in the accident lived, and my oldest nephew, Brock, has almost healed completely from two broken legs and an internal head injury. We praised God for His mercy.

Many hours after the accident, the joy of my life, Madilyn, was born. I heard a quote once that says something like having children is like watching your heart walk around outside of your body. I can say that I've found that to be true.

Two weeks after Madilyn was born, my grandfather passed away unexpectedly. My mother had been with me in Florida and left immediately to go home to Tennessee. I felt guilt for having her here with me instead of home near him, but I have to trust that God had His hand in the situation.

I flew up for the funeral and left my Madilyn. It was hard to do but my husband was (and is) wonderful with the baby. And I was thankful I was able to even go to the funeral. But it turns out it wasn't the only time I'd have to leave her.

A few weeks later, I landed in the hospital for a week and had to have emergency surgery. A month later, I had another surgery. All the while, Madilyn was growing as was our love for her, and best of all, God blessed with me a new job where I could work from home. It was been a dream come true.

Great joy, great sorrow ... side by side.

The trend continued ... a cousin had a heart attack then open-heart surgery ... my brother-in-law's father fell from a ladder to his death at their house (the same family who was in the car accident).

Then, on the flipside, we got a huge tax return (thank you, Jesus, and our little tax deduction, Madilyn), and Jeff received a promotion at work. (Lots of other blessings in between as well.)

Then, after three months of bronchitis and pneumonia, we learned that my father has cancerous cells in a lymph node under his arm. After much fasting and prayer from the family, a PET scan revealed there was no other cancer in his body and that the lymph node that is infected can be removed. Hallelujah! I even testified in church at the news of such a miracle. Then, a second test, a CAT scan, showed some "spots" on Dad's brain. Now we're waiting to hear from the oncologist what that means: watch and wait or immediate radiation.

Rejoicing, then grief ...

And just this morning, we learned that tests have discovered enlarged lymph nodes around my mother-in-law's lungs.

What is going on?

It seems like there's one thing after another ... Pastor emailed me the other day and encouraged us to "feed your faith and not your fears."

So with that, I'm off to Thursday night prayer meeting. I can't imagine what life would be like without the hope of prayer.

(Your prayers for the above situations would be appreciated as well. I will keep you updated throughout the month as we learn more ...)

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!