The past week has been a memorable one for our family!
This past Wednesday evening Lucy and I engaged in our nightly post-dinner routine… wrestling! Yes, I know what you’re thinking. Wrestling after eating isn’t wise. Kylie isn’t fond of it either! That doesn’t stop me and Lucy. On this particular night we went to a go-to favorite. It’s pretty simple. She lays on her back, kicks my chest, and I “fly across the room”. She laughs uncontrollably, finds her bearings, and puts up one finger saying, “One more!” Rinse and repeat.
The evening quickly changed from a deep belly laugh to one of immense pain and screaming. The pressure of my body, and possibly an odd angle of her foot, was too much for her little leg. In that moment I knew something was wrong. Lucy is a tough little girl. She often falls down and gets right up again (usually laughing!). Not this time. After an hour we finally got her calmed down. We realized we’d have to do what was floating in the back of our minds. Take her to the hospital. I won’t forgot that car ride. Seeing your daughter in pain, especially knowing it’s your fault, is not fun!
Earlier in the week we finished writing our support letters for the next 18-months. Every time I write our support letters I am tempted with anxiety. What if God doesn’t provide? What if this isn’t exactly what he wants? The list could go on and on. On top of this our country is going through something unprecedented as the coronavirus continues to spread at a rapid pace.
If I’m being honest I felt the weight of fear, anxiety, and doubt (in God) as I sat on a foot stool (because all of the chair’s were taken) in UK’s over crowded pediatric ER room. It’s not like me to feel these emotions. Kylie usually makes fun of me because I’m typically level-headed! So after a two hour wait we finally got called back and made it to a room where they eventually x-rayed Lucy’s right leg. It wasn’t until this moment that I realized how calm Lucy was, and had been throughout the night.
Before leaving for the hospital we sent out texts to friends and family to pray for us. We asked them to pray God would give Lucy peace and strength. It’s funny how we ask people to pray with zero expectation that God will actually do something or hear us. Before we took Lucy to the ER her doctor was prepping us that she might need to be sedated for x-rays or even the possibility of her needing surgery. Then in the ER room the nurses and doctor said the same thing, assuring us they do this type of thing all the time. As Lucy laid complete still on the ER bed God made me aware that he was with her. During all of the x-rays (as we stood nearly out of the room) Lucy didn’t cry or move one inch and they were able to get everything they needed without sedating her! Praise God!
The x-rays revealed a very small buckle fracture in her right tibia. They put on a splint on that will hopefully come off this coming Thursday!
Fast forward to Sunday morning and I’m praying about what Jesus wants to do at our house church. In light of all the news circulating around the coronavirus I felt the Lord wanting me to address the widespread fear and anxiety going around our country and communities. But more specifically the Spirit was showing me that fear and anxiety had been reigning in my life the past week. As I searched the Scriptures I came across so many passages that highlighted trust and joy in the Lord and ones that highlighted to not fear. Paul’s letter to the Philippians spoke to me. Philippians 4 says,
“4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
After reading this I was reminded of how Lucy exhibited Jesus’ peace, and even joy, in the ER. If my one and a half year old can live into the peace of Jesus, why do I so easily fall into the stresses of this world?! I wanted Jesus’ peace that transcends all understanding. I repented to Jesus for allowing the world and situations to dictate my emotions and he gave me his peace. It didn’t come instantly though. It came as our house church gathered, when most churches closed their doors, we still met. I have to be honest I did not want to meet Sunday. But with encouragement from others we met and it was because of our gathering that I was able to experience Jesus’ presence and power in my life. After the gathering was over I felt His complete peace about our future.
Please continue praying for our family as we send out support letters and as Lucy recovers from her leg fracture. We are living through an interesting period of history. I pray that each one of you finds Jesus’ joy and peace that transcends all understanding.
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