Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Through the lens of grace

Yesterday was not easy, but as I replayed the events of the day in my mind this morning, I realized that I had choices to make about how to view it. I could view it through my flesh and see all that was difficult, draining, fearful and/or didn't go my way or I could view it through the lens of God's grace. There was evidence of God's grace all throughout the day:

1. My friend, Cathy, was able to come with us which was a HUGE help in so many ways.

2. Judah is amazing at these visits in the mature and winsome way he interacts with the staff. Yesterday, he was incredibly patient as I spoke with the doctor for close to an hour.

3. God gave me strength to ask the questions I needed to ask despite less than sensitive or gracious responses from the doctor at times.

4. I was reminded afresh just how merciful God has been to Judah and us by sparing us of neurological complications that so many Sturge-Weber kids endure. As we left, we saw Dr. Germain-Lee's next patient who was a SWS patient with apparent neurological involvement and in a wheel chair.

5. Another friend, Danielle, brought flowers and a card later in the day that served as a reminder to consider the One who "clothes the grass of the field" and remember that He will care for Judah and our family even moreso.

Yes, yesterday was not easy. It still remains unclear as to whether or not we should begin treatment for Judah. I believe the doctor is rather convinced that we should, but we haven't reached this conclusion quite yet. So, we continue to cry out to God for wisdom and clarity on this issue.

We will need to have more bloodwork done on Judah to verify some of the levels Dr. Germain-Lee was suspicious about on his pituatary stim. test. She felt they may have been contaminated and therefore wants us to get some additional bloodwork. This will help her determine whether she would recommend starting treatments sooner rather than later.

Pray that as we wait and pursue this bloodwork to help clarify things, that God will be making it clear to us what we should do.

Thanks again for your prayers.

7 comments:

Kristin said...

I'm praying for you guys! May you hear the words "this is the way, walk in it" clearly and then may you be given the strength to walk that road.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting this from the perspective you did. It's inspiring to all who read to do the same thing...consider the grace.

Libby said...

Bri, we will certainly be praying for Judah and you guys as you walk through this season.

Miguel plans to call her "Bella" and I am still undecided. I am thinking straight up "Isabel" or "Isa-pronounced EESA" (Krista Winkler informed me that is the Polish version!). We didn't want to steal your name...but it has extreme sentimental value to us...

Jessi said...

Praying for God to give you continued grace and wisdom. I truly admire your constant pursuing of walking righteously through such a difficult life circumstance. Thanks for being so honest and real as you walk through life, trying to live as a testimony of God's awesome grace and power.

Audrey said...

Bri~
I too want to thank you for looking at your day through a lens of grace. Well done. That is God's kindness and grace to help you glorify Him in the midst of a hard day. Praise God!!! You are such a wonderful example to me:) Praying for you all.

krista said...

Am echoing these thoughts and prayers even now...

Anonymous said...

Praying for wisdom for you. What would be the harm in waiting a couple years for HGH? I could see if you and LA were both tall people, but is Judah just not producing the normal levels at this point? I personally am really leery of taking hormones, but of course don't have much of a knowledge base. I have a neighbor whose son went on them at about age 11 because he was only 4 ft 11. What she said was that growth only happens when you're sleeping. I thought what a great reminder to us as Christians who wonder IF we're growing spiritually when it's hard to see. Well, during the times we're unconscious of God's hand, he is working on. Some more slowly than others. I would love to hear more from you on the medical side of things. I'm keenly interested.