Glimpses of Life: January 2012

In 2011 I have been sustained and Blake has been rescued. From swallowing coins, to breaking a leg, and now battling cancer, our little guy has given us several heart pounding moments during 2011.

As a mother of a boy I feel as though I'm constantly searching for ways to give him more freedom and create experiences that allow him to explore and burn off that overabundance of energy he was born with. Yet, every time he scrapes a knee or pulls off some ridiculous stunt, I'm left wishing I could wrap him in bubble wrap and hold his hand every moment of every day.

But the truth is, I can't protect him from everything, and especially not from cancer. That is both completely terrifying and relieving all at once. Sure, it's my job to make him eat his vegetables, wear a helmet and stay out of danger, but it's his heavenly Father who is watching him at every moment. He is acutely aware of each move this little guy makes. His heart is attuned to every hair Blake has lost. He has a plan for my son's precious life.

In the midst of the swirling current of medical treatment and haunting thoughts that would seek to pull our family down, the Holy Spirit has reminded me of a chapter of the Bible I have always loved. In 2012 I commit to cry out to God and trust Him for our protection at every turn.

Jonah Chapter 2:
¹ ^[a]From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. ² He said:
   “In my distress I called to the LORD,
   and he answered me.
From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,
   and you listened to my cry.
³ You hurled me into the depths,
   into the very heart of the seas,
   and the currents swirled about me;
all your waves and breakers
   swept over me.
⁴ I said, ‘I have been banished
   from your sight;
yet I will look again
   toward your holy temple.’
⁵ The engulfing waters threatened me,^[b]
   the deep surrounded me;
   seaweed was wrapped around my head.
⁶ To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
   the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you, LORD my God,
   brought my life up from the pit.
⁷ “When my life was ebbing away,
   I remembered you, LORD,
and my prayer rose to you,
   to your holy temple.
⁸ “Those who cling to worthless idols
   turn away from God’s love for them.
⁹ But I, with shouts of grateful praise,
   will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
   I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’”
¹⁰ And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.