Psalm 139:13-16

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Friday, February 18, 2011

The God We Serve is Able

We have a date for our baby girl's birthday: March 4, 2011!  That is two weeks from today.  Grace is also full term now.  I cannot believe we are so close to meeting this little girl who is changing so many lives. 

Last Sunday, God spoke to me through our amazing pastor, and I just wanted to share what He has taught me.  The message was about "Courageous Commitment" from Acts 21: 1-16.  However, scripture from Daniel 3: 16-18 got my attention.

"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.  If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'"

The thing that spoke to me in their courageous commitment was the part "the God we serve is able".  Our situations are obviously different, but the same God who was able in the Old Testament is able today.  He is able in our situation to completely, perfectly, and miraculously heal our baby girl.  I believe that with all of my heart.  He is able.  The God I serve is able.  I do not question His ability.

The unknown part is will He?  Will He heal our baby girl in the way that we want Him to heal her?  I want Him to heal her so that she is the baby I have always thought I would have...a "normal" baby.  I want Him to heal her not only for that reason, but also so that she is a testament to His power.  So that others will know His grace.

I just don't know that He will.  But I know that He is able.  I am so thankful for this truth.

Another part that spoke to me was when they said "the God we serve is able to save us from it.....but even if he does not..."  They understood that even though He is perfect and loving, God may not save them from the blazing furnace.  But they were courageously committed to Him anyway.  They wanted the king to know that they would not serve his gods or worship his image of gold even if he did not save them.

I believe that the God I serve is able to heal my baby.  But even if He does not, I want you to know
-that I will continue to serve Him
-that I will always believe in His ability and His goodness
-that His thoughts and ways are not my thoughts and ways
-that I will continue to love Him
-that I believe He will be near to me
-that my baby girl will dwell in His house forever
-that one day I will dwell in His house forever with my baby girl

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory...for ever and ever!"  To Him be glory.

36 weeks, 3 days

11 comments:

  1. Wow you are such an inspiration! (I found you from Kelly's Korner a few weeks ago.) You and your husband and baby Grace are bringing so much glory to God!

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  2. The words you write must surely come straight from the heart of God! I am in awe of your ability to be tender yet fierce...gentle yet brutally honest. Yes, to God be the glory...and thank you God, for amazing Grace. Love you Karen! Kathy Catchot

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  3. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. ♥♫

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  4. That was a wonderful post. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I also found you from Kelly's Korner. You're faith is truly inspiring. God bless you and your family.

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  5. I also found your story from Kelly's Korner and wanted you to know that I am praying for you and your precious baby. I understand a little of what it feels like to long for "normal.” I think most expectant moms dream of the "perfect" baby. Thankfully, our God always knows what we "need." I gave birth to a perfect, healthy 10 lb 3 oz baby girl five years ago. When she was four months old she had a seizure in my arms. That was the beginning of a long, painful, and amazing journey. My precious Avery Elizabeth has tuberous sclerosis complex. She has tumors on her brain, eyes, kidneys, heart, and skin. She has severe autism. She has had multiple brain surgeries and still has seizures almost every day. At five she is not potty-trained, she cannot feed herself, she has just a few words, and still drinks from a bottle. We dress her, bathe her, and take care of her every need like an infant.

    No. She is not "normal" (whatever that is?) And by the world's standards she is not a "perfect" healthy, happy child. But in my eyes, and more importantly in our Lord's eyes, she is perfection. She is pure joy and I am so, so thankful that God didn't answer my prayers for a "perfect" child. He gave me something so much better. . . my Avery girl. Despite her disabilities she is a blessed child of God, fearfully and wonderfully made in His Image.

    You are right, perhaps God will 'heal' Grace and those who know you and know of Grace's story will see her healing as a 'testament of His power'. Perhaps they will come to know his grace because he chooses to heal your daughter. God has not chosen to 'heal' my Avery girl, and yet, everyone who meets her sees His power, might, and perfect grace at work in her life. Every. single. day. There is not a person who knows our Avery that doesn't fall head over heels in love with her.

    So, no. She is not normal. Thank God for that. She is Avery. And she is perfect just how she is.

    When I was pregnant with Avery I didn't know that I was capable of being the mommy that I am today. I didn't know the fierce, protective, all-consuming love I would feel for this sweet, innocent, precious little girl. I wanted a "perfect" child, and I got just that. And so much more!

    I pray that God will give you the "perfect" child for you and your husband. I pray for the peace that surpasses all understanding to fill your hearts these next two weeks.

    blessings,
    Lisa
    mommy to Kaylen (9) and Avery (5)

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  6. You are so cute pregnant with sweet Grace! we are praying for your family

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  7. Our church has been praying for you and Chad and little Grace for several months. I just learned of your blog, so I spent quite a bit of time here today "catching up." You have so appropriately named your baby. "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Co. 12:9) Continuing to pray for ya'll.

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  8. Hi Karen,
    This is Amy, mommy to Gianna Marie who's blog you came across recently www.giannamaried.blogspot.com . You are a beautiful and strong woman and Grace is so lucky to have you as her mom! She is so loved already. It's hard to find many encouraging stories about children with encephalocele's isn't it? I spent so many hours googling encephalocele and all the other terms when I was pregnant, and more often than not came away from the computer crying. I spent last night reading your whole blog and my heart just goes out to you more than I can even say. Our little girls are very very similar in their diagnosis. I have been amazed daily at how well Gianna is doing given her poor prognosis, and I hope it gives you some hope as well! I would be more than happy to talk with you at any time if I can help share any info or tell you more details about our experiences so far with Gianna. Her medical situation seems so similar to Grace, that I thought it might be helpful. Don't hesitate to let me know if you have questions or if I can help you in any way. I am holding your sweet little girl in my prayers! All the best, Amy
    Amy.DiLorenzo@uky.edu

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  9. HEY!!!

    Hsve just had ya'll on my mind all morning and wanted you to know that we love ya'll and are praying for ya'll more than ever these last few days. Can't believe we will get to see this precious little one next week. Stay off your feet and get plenty of rest these last few days and make Chad take good care of you!!! Loads of love and prayers!!! Uncle Garry & Aunt Lesia

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  10. I came across your blog on Kellyskorner, and after reading past posts,saw that you were from Pontotoc. I live in Oxford, and think about you and your family often. I pray for a safe delivery and a healthy baby. Your faith is inspiring.

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