I called my mother a couple of days ago. I could INSTANTLY tell that something was amiss. We talk several times a day and I could just tell that things were a bit different. I quickly asked her what she was doing. Then she sighed and told me that I would never believe it. I convinced her I was an easy convert and would believe her.
She was in her kitchen at the sink and loading the dishwasher. She turned around and to the corner of her left eye she saw something moving very quickly. Initially she did not know what it was but as she turned her focus that direction, she soon realized that a snake was on her kitchen floor. A real, live, squiggling snake. This is when I started gagging and freaking out on the phone. GROSS!
She lamented about how it was discovered and she was so glad that her cat was in the other room, because he would have been playing with it. She was also wishing that my daddy had been there to handle this little episode for her but he was at the office. She KNEW the snake could not stay and KNEW she was all she had. Within eyesight was some canned food and to her immediate reach was a step stool. Her only weapons. She quickly decided to throw the step stool on the creature and began to stand on the stool stomping him over and over until she was sure of his demise. Ever so sure he was a gonner, she then went to get the shovel...the official snake killing weapon and cut his head off and carried him outdoors.
I shivered and shook the entire time she told of this story. Partly because it happened to her and partly because I could not imagine this happening in my kitchen. I can not imagine how or even IF I would be able to handle that. With each detail of her story it became more and more apparent why she didn't seem herself when I called.
My parents live out in the country. As anyone that lives in the country knows, keeping your doors closed is a must. There are too many little varmints that can welcome themselves to your home if the door is even left cracked. They have lived in that house for 30 years and I always remember her hardly giving you the chance to walk through the door before she was telling you to shut it. She still is constantly on my daddy about keeping the door closed.
Isn't sin just like a snake. Sin looks for every opportunity to enter our lives...always looking for a cracked door or a door that doesn't shut quickly enough. No matter how many years we have made a practice of protecting our lives and hearts from a particular sin, it never gives up and if we ever delay closing that door it is quick to enter in. Sin also slips and slithers up behind us and we are often unaware of what it is at first glance until we focus on what has entered.
Do we always have an army of Christian friends at our side when sin comes in? Absolutely not, though it would be nice. As mother was by herself, sin usually attacks us in the same way...alone and quietly. But do not be misled, as I recognized a difference in my mother's voice those precious Christian friends of ours will also recognize a difference. Though they may not know at first what you are facing they will soon know the full story. Another thought is to protect yourself in the company you keep. Just as her cat would have played with that snake, particular friends may find your sin very appealing and wish to play with it as well. Our sin does truly effect others.
I think mother acted just as dramatic as any sane lady would in that same situation. She knew what she had to do and she did it with force. She threw that stool on the snake and stomped him to death, cut off his head, and carried him out of her kitchen. Likewise we should combat sin that very same way. Realize what we are dealing with, throw what we have available (the blood of Jesus Christ)onto it, cut its ugly head off and get it out of our lives. Now mother didn't just throw this dead thing off the back porch, she took him out to the pasture and threw him over the fence.
Mother now had an issue in her kitchen. She had killed a snake and it did leave a little mess. How in the world was she going to ever function in that kitchen again? Would she EVER be able to go bare foot? Would her grandchildren EVER be able to play on that floor? All she could see was the image of that snake and knew that the little blood spilled on the floor had to be tended to. So she disinfected and bleached that area like it had never been done before. There was not a trace of that snake on that floor. It wasn't a fun clean up. But it had to be done.
I am not sure we are as diligent in removing our sins. Do we just run them out and hope they don't return? Or do we conquer them in the name of Jesus and then take as far far away from our lives? It is true, there may be a "sin residue" left even after the sin has left, but Jesus Christ can and will clean that up. Though there might always be a mental or in some cases physical reminder of how that sin effected you, you will have freedom to overcome.
In closing, I have to confess as my mother did at the end of our conversation, this snake was not a BIG snake. He was a small snake....yet still a snake. And you know what, in killing that small snake he will never be able to become a large snake. So size doesn't matter in sin. In actuality a "small" sin may be more dangerous as they are harder to recognize and see. But those small sins will grow into large sins and can potentially reproduce!
So is your sin a grass snake or a boa~constrictor? Either one....they gotta go!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Put Me In Coach
My mother called today to tell me she was speaking at a ladie's brunch on Saturday and told me she was using Isiah 6 as her scripture reference. I thought that was just great. Then she told me what her word picture was for her presentation, and I must admit, I thought it was outstanding. I want to share it with you all as well.
This is Chase's 1st year of football. He did not play last year and regretted it all year long. He could not wait to play this year, his 8th grade year. This summer he and a few buddies even went up to the high school field house @ 8am to work out a few times a week. He could not wait for practice to begin the 1st day of school.
Chase wants to play as much as anyone would want to play. That is one of the reasons he sacrificed valuable sleep (and sacrificed my valuable sleep) this summer to go work out so he would be ready when practice started. He works so hard at practice. He is always there and always paying attention to the instructions he is given by the coach. You might say that even at practice, Chase has his head in the game.
Glenn and Chase have had many conversations about football since practice began. Sometimes I think it is so Glenn can travel down memory lane and remember his football days. I don't have alot of input on the subject since I am not a football expert. I know enough to follow the game but not all of the ins and outs, dos and don'ts. I have enjoyed hearing their conversations.
One thing I have heard Glenn tell Chase over and over again is that a coach would rather have someone less talented and with a heart for the game and that is coachable than to have someone with all of the talent that can't be coached or doesn't care to play. Talent doesn't make you a great players. Coachability makes you a great player. Talent just makes you talented. Some of the most talented players may never get in the game because they don't desire to play. They are not interested in being coached and therefore they are happy standing out of the game.
Glenn has told Chase several other things: be the first one dressed and ready to practice every day; make sure your locker is the neatest; be the first one on the bus; when told to do something, do it better than anyone else; always be your best. He has been told that the coaches will notice things like that. Chase has also always been told to be the first one out on the field during practice when they call for players for his position...if the coach doesn't need him he will send him back.....but he needs to be eager to play. Another little pointer he has told Chase is to always be close by the coach on the sidelines...that way when the coach needs him he will not have to look for him. He has been told to be by the coach and always watch the game.
Glenn went and watched a practice one day. The players were cutting up while the coach was talking and he sent them to run 200 yards. Chase was not one of the cut ups....he knew that, and the coaches knew that....but it was a team discipline. Chase ran his heart out. In fact he finished about 20 yards ahead of the next player. And true as it probably is, the ones that were cutting up, were the last to cross the finish line. But Chase exhibited a heart of discipline.
Well, the first game was here. Chase wasn't starting as he didn't expect to. After all the others had played last year. He stayed right by the coach the whole game. You never had to look for Chase...when you wanted him, just look by the coach. He was right by him the whole game. There were a couple of times the coach needed someone to go in and Chase's hand went right up in the coach's face, only to be told "not now Bickerdike". But he never moved away from the coach. He never took his head out of the game. Then, the coach called #80---Bickerdike. In he went. Well, it was only for 1 play and he didn't get the ball.
After the game I was afraid he would be discouraged. I asked him, "Well, what did you think"? He said with the biggest smile on his face, "I'm gonna work harder so I can play more".
And that he did. The next week he worked harder and harder, was faster and faster.
The next game came. Chase was starting at Corner Back, a defensive position. (he had played Receiver on offense last week). His hard work was paying off. He had 5 tackles, 1 being a single tackle that saved a touchdown, and then 1 interception. Yep, I was loud and proud. When Chase wasn't in the game (or at the water cooler) he was right under the coach. He played such a good game that the last quarter they stopped using plays on his side of the field. He had a great game. A BIG game.
God truly showed favor on him that evening. However, that game was now over. We had to start getting ready for next week. Glenn praised Chase and congratulated him over and over. Then, he broke the news..."son, you know you will have to work harder than you did last week to keep your starting position this week....you can never slack up if you want to be in the game". Chase knew that, but man...it was gonna be more work....more preparation...more coaching. But after all, he would be playing a different team and he had to be ready.
Now for the real question: Are you/I ready for the game? Are we ready to say, "put me in coach"? Are we sacrificing things we want to be prepared for the work God has for us like Chase sacrificed sleep this summer? Are we really working hard to be ready? Can team mates (other Christians) find us right next to the coach (God) with our head in the game waiting for our play? See as Christians we are on the field not in the stands. But how active are we in the game? Do we sit back and hope God calls someone else to get in the game? And after playing in the game, do we continue to be coachable so we will be ready for the next game?
This is Chase's 1st year of football. He did not play last year and regretted it all year long. He could not wait to play this year, his 8th grade year. This summer he and a few buddies even went up to the high school field house @ 8am to work out a few times a week. He could not wait for practice to begin the 1st day of school.
Chase wants to play as much as anyone would want to play. That is one of the reasons he sacrificed valuable sleep (and sacrificed my valuable sleep) this summer to go work out so he would be ready when practice started. He works so hard at practice. He is always there and always paying attention to the instructions he is given by the coach. You might say that even at practice, Chase has his head in the game.
Glenn and Chase have had many conversations about football since practice began. Sometimes I think it is so Glenn can travel down memory lane and remember his football days. I don't have alot of input on the subject since I am not a football expert. I know enough to follow the game but not all of the ins and outs, dos and don'ts. I have enjoyed hearing their conversations.
One thing I have heard Glenn tell Chase over and over again is that a coach would rather have someone less talented and with a heart for the game and that is coachable than to have someone with all of the talent that can't be coached or doesn't care to play. Talent doesn't make you a great players. Coachability makes you a great player. Talent just makes you talented. Some of the most talented players may never get in the game because they don't desire to play. They are not interested in being coached and therefore they are happy standing out of the game.
Glenn has told Chase several other things: be the first one dressed and ready to practice every day; make sure your locker is the neatest; be the first one on the bus; when told to do something, do it better than anyone else; always be your best. He has been told that the coaches will notice things like that. Chase has also always been told to be the first one out on the field during practice when they call for players for his position...if the coach doesn't need him he will send him back.....but he needs to be eager to play. Another little pointer he has told Chase is to always be close by the coach on the sidelines...that way when the coach needs him he will not have to look for him. He has been told to be by the coach and always watch the game.
Glenn went and watched a practice one day. The players were cutting up while the coach was talking and he sent them to run 200 yards. Chase was not one of the cut ups....he knew that, and the coaches knew that....but it was a team discipline. Chase ran his heart out. In fact he finished about 20 yards ahead of the next player. And true as it probably is, the ones that were cutting up, were the last to cross the finish line. But Chase exhibited a heart of discipline.
Well, the first game was here. Chase wasn't starting as he didn't expect to. After all the others had played last year. He stayed right by the coach the whole game. You never had to look for Chase...when you wanted him, just look by the coach. He was right by him the whole game. There were a couple of times the coach needed someone to go in and Chase's hand went right up in the coach's face, only to be told "not now Bickerdike". But he never moved away from the coach. He never took his head out of the game. Then, the coach called #80---Bickerdike. In he went. Well, it was only for 1 play and he didn't get the ball.
After the game I was afraid he would be discouraged. I asked him, "Well, what did you think"? He said with the biggest smile on his face, "I'm gonna work harder so I can play more".
And that he did. The next week he worked harder and harder, was faster and faster.
The next game came. Chase was starting at Corner Back, a defensive position. (he had played Receiver on offense last week). His hard work was paying off. He had 5 tackles, 1 being a single tackle that saved a touchdown, and then 1 interception. Yep, I was loud and proud. When Chase wasn't in the game (or at the water cooler) he was right under the coach. He played such a good game that the last quarter they stopped using plays on his side of the field. He had a great game. A BIG game.
God truly showed favor on him that evening. However, that game was now over. We had to start getting ready for next week. Glenn praised Chase and congratulated him over and over. Then, he broke the news..."son, you know you will have to work harder than you did last week to keep your starting position this week....you can never slack up if you want to be in the game". Chase knew that, but man...it was gonna be more work....more preparation...more coaching. But after all, he would be playing a different team and he had to be ready.
Now for the real question: Are you/I ready for the game? Are we ready to say, "put me in coach"? Are we sacrificing things we want to be prepared for the work God has for us like Chase sacrificed sleep this summer? Are we really working hard to be ready? Can team mates (other Christians) find us right next to the coach (God) with our head in the game waiting for our play? See as Christians we are on the field not in the stands. But how active are we in the game? Do we sit back and hope God calls someone else to get in the game? And after playing in the game, do we continue to be coachable so we will be ready for the next game?
True there are Christians will talents you don't have. There are some with your talent/gift that may be better. However, God isn't looking for the talented, He is looking for the eager to play~the coachable. There are many a Christian doing "Christian work" with all the talent in the world, but they have never let themselves be coached by the Coach. There are also those of us who get a little bit of coaching from God and think we have what it takes for everything in the future. Not so. We must constantly be in the shadow of the coach.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
"Made ya look"
In having 3 children, there always seems to be a game being played or aggravation going on. One of Cade's favorite things to do to Kendall, and tease her with "Made ya look". Chase has gotten too wise for this so he is no fun. However, the innocence of a 5 year old is the perfect stage for an older brother to tease.
You know the game. Someone says, "Look at that bear", and as the person turns, the antagonist says, "made ya look". This is sure to bring a rise to the one being teased.
Today, Kendall and I were riding together in the car, just the 2 of us. I don't know if she was missing her brother pestering her or just wanted to bother me, but she started the "game". "Is that Jesus", she said. I responded quickly with "where"? Then she answered me with the punch line, "made ya look". Hum, I thought. I was punked. She asked again, "Is that Jesus", and I found myself responding before I even thought, "where"? This time I was frustrated with myself for playing this silly game. She asked again, and then just answered herself with "where"?
Do you ever encounter someone that makes you think you just saw Jesus? Does anyone ever think that of you when they see you? Have you ever seen people in action and wondered, "Is that Jesus"? Or, have you ever quickly, anxiously, eagerly longed to see Him that you spontaneously said, "where"?
I wondered, in my daily walk, could someone spot my actions or hear my words and ask another, "Is that Jesus"? Would my walk and talk be that of such that could easily be confused for Jesus? Am I doing something for Christ that will 'make ya look'? It really is something to think about....
You know the game. Someone says, "Look at that bear", and as the person turns, the antagonist says, "made ya look". This is sure to bring a rise to the one being teased.
Today, Kendall and I were riding together in the car, just the 2 of us. I don't know if she was missing her brother pestering her or just wanted to bother me, but she started the "game". "Is that Jesus", she said. I responded quickly with "where"? Then she answered me with the punch line, "made ya look". Hum, I thought. I was punked. She asked again, "Is that Jesus", and I found myself responding before I even thought, "where"? This time I was frustrated with myself for playing this silly game. She asked again, and then just answered herself with "where"?
Do you ever encounter someone that makes you think you just saw Jesus? Does anyone ever think that of you when they see you? Have you ever seen people in action and wondered, "Is that Jesus"? Or, have you ever quickly, anxiously, eagerly longed to see Him that you spontaneously said, "where"?
I wondered, in my daily walk, could someone spot my actions or hear my words and ask another, "Is that Jesus"? Would my walk and talk be that of such that could easily be confused for Jesus? Am I doing something for Christ that will 'make ya look'? It really is something to think about....
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Shifting Gears
Well, I have heard it said, and didn't believe it....."Just wait until they are teenagers". My advice to all parents of 12 year olds, is to not let them blow the 13th candle out. Something really weird happens. Their brain turns to jello!
I do not intend for this to be degrading about Chase, so please don't get a bad image of him. He will be 14 in August and I hope with 14 brings a little more thinking. He is a precious person. He has a great heart. He loves Jesus. But his days are spent mostly in neutral. He moves through his day with little or no effort. I average 2 days a week taking things to him at school that he has forgotten at home. I remind him to do the things he has done for years....bathing, brushing teeth, picking up clothes. As far as school work/home work, it is so far down his list of priorities that he never gives it a thought. He is never disrespectful and virtually never disobedient, but my stars.....he needs to put it in gear! I have used the analogy to him over and over...."baby, you can't ride through life in neutral, you have to drop it down to drive....neutral will only get you so far, mostly downhill, but when you encounter an incline, you're gonna come to a halt....you MUST put it in gear!"
As I have said this to him many many times, I just recently thought of how to apply that spiritually. As a Christian, I must also "drop it down to drive" and quit coasting. Often I think I coast on grace and the security of my salvation and neglect to drop it down to drive and allow the power of the Holy Spirit to empower my life. For if we only coast in neutral, when we reach an incline in life, we will not make it up and over.
I have started to realize that my spiritual life is meant to be lived intentional....that everything we do or say should be of purpose....purpose to further the kingdom and glorify God.
Dear Lord,
Please help me to "drop it down to drive" and live each step and moment for you. In Jesus name, Amen.
I do not intend for this to be degrading about Chase, so please don't get a bad image of him. He will be 14 in August and I hope with 14 brings a little more thinking. He is a precious person. He has a great heart. He loves Jesus. But his days are spent mostly in neutral. He moves through his day with little or no effort. I average 2 days a week taking things to him at school that he has forgotten at home. I remind him to do the things he has done for years....bathing, brushing teeth, picking up clothes. As far as school work/home work, it is so far down his list of priorities that he never gives it a thought. He is never disrespectful and virtually never disobedient, but my stars.....he needs to put it in gear! I have used the analogy to him over and over...."baby, you can't ride through life in neutral, you have to drop it down to drive....neutral will only get you so far, mostly downhill, but when you encounter an incline, you're gonna come to a halt....you MUST put it in gear!"
As I have said this to him many many times, I just recently thought of how to apply that spiritually. As a Christian, I must also "drop it down to drive" and quit coasting. Often I think I coast on grace and the security of my salvation and neglect to drop it down to drive and allow the power of the Holy Spirit to empower my life. For if we only coast in neutral, when we reach an incline in life, we will not make it up and over.
I have started to realize that my spiritual life is meant to be lived intentional....that everything we do or say should be of purpose....purpose to further the kingdom and glorify God.
Dear Lord,
Please help me to "drop it down to drive" and live each step and moment for you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Jesus at the Boys and Girls Club
Most of you know of Kendall's fascination for baby Jesus from the nativty set. She loves it so much that we do not put the unbreakable one up anymore. We leave it out for her enjoyment.
She plays with him often.
The other night Chase had a basketball game at the Boys and Girls Club. We all went to cheer him on. I am learning that with little girls you ALWAYS carry extra stuff. We seem to always end up in the car with a stuffed animal, a baby, a toy or two. Everyone who knows Kendall also knows that she has a special comfort crutch...fuzz. Fuzz is polyfill that she has kept tucked in the palm of her hand ever since she was about 9 months old. No, not the same piece, I buy it by the bags so she usually has clean fuzz. You usually don't know it is even in her hand....but it always is. Well, while we were at the basketball game I noticed her hand and assumed it was only full of fuzz. A few minutes passed and she came up to me and asked, "Mom, can you hold baby Jesus for me?" That is when I realized that yes, baby Jesus had come to the Boys and Girls Club via my little angel. You guessed it, I started thinking.
Where was the last place I took Jesus...maybe for the first time? Who was the last person that I showed Jesus to? Who was the last person I asked, "Do you want to hold Jesus, or better yet, would you like Jesus to hold you?"
Funny thing, that little girl....she is ALWAYS teaching me something.
Dear God.
Remind me to take Jesus to places that He has never been. Remind me to take Jesus to people. Lord, Remind me that some people need to be held by Jesus. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
She plays with him often.
The other night Chase had a basketball game at the Boys and Girls Club. We all went to cheer him on. I am learning that with little girls you ALWAYS carry extra stuff. We seem to always end up in the car with a stuffed animal, a baby, a toy or two. Everyone who knows Kendall also knows that she has a special comfort crutch...fuzz. Fuzz is polyfill that she has kept tucked in the palm of her hand ever since she was about 9 months old. No, not the same piece, I buy it by the bags so she usually has clean fuzz. You usually don't know it is even in her hand....but it always is. Well, while we were at the basketball game I noticed her hand and assumed it was only full of fuzz. A few minutes passed and she came up to me and asked, "Mom, can you hold baby Jesus for me?" That is when I realized that yes, baby Jesus had come to the Boys and Girls Club via my little angel. You guessed it, I started thinking.
Where was the last place I took Jesus...maybe for the first time? Who was the last person that I showed Jesus to? Who was the last person I asked, "Do you want to hold Jesus, or better yet, would you like Jesus to hold you?"
Funny thing, that little girl....she is ALWAYS teaching me something.
Dear God.
Remind me to take Jesus to places that He has never been. Remind me to take Jesus to people. Lord, Remind me that some people need to be held by Jesus. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Thank you God for Shin Splints- Part 6 (The Conclusion)
(this is the 6th part of a long story I started blogging a while back. for it all to flow, you might want to archive back and begin w/ Part 1)
Chase continued to improve, slowly but surely. I actually got to hold him for the first time when he was 5 days old. It was incredible. The NICU had a specific way they wanted you to hold them, called Kangaroo Care. It is when you open up your shirt and lay the baby's bare chest on your bare chest. Their stats stabilize and improve almost immediately. Their oxygen saturation gets higher, they are calm, and they even begin to pick up your breathing patterns.
What an incredible picture of how we are when we are in the arms of God. When we are right where we are supposed to be. Our lives are optimized. We even begin to have the same 'heartbeat' as God. Oh what a sweet place to be. Everything is truly stabilized and running just like it is supposed to.
We remained in the hospital for a total of 12 days. We were so blessed by numerous visitors and our families were there 90% of the time. God truly sent His best angels to minister to us during that time.
The day finally came when we got to go home. Whew! I was a nervous wreck. Chase did not come home with any monitors or medications. He was healed completely. He was eating and sleeping perfectly. But I was scared to death. So momma came home with us too. Things really did go very well. I just simply could not stop praising God for what He had done. He had basically taken Chase from his death bed and revived him with new life. I remember at one time thinking, "Ok, if I don't keep thanking God, Chase will be sick again". Man, Satan really pulls some cheap punches. He even tries to sabotage miracles and enjoying the miracle. I sent him running with those thoughts and told him that God healed Chase and that was that. I rested in peace after that.
After being in NICU you must do developmental check ups to make sure the baby develops correctly. This is where they can spot CP as soon as possible as well as any other defects from the traumatic birth. So, when Chase was 3 months old we went back for our 1st follow up visit. Everything was great. I had prayed, when Chase was at his very worst, that God would heal him above and beyond what man expected. I asked God to make him above average so he would not continually be labeled the "kid that was sick when he was born". Well, he was WELL above average in weight (90%) and all of his development was above average. They scheduled us to return in 3 months.
We returned when he was 6 months old and once again....he was well above average. This time we had to see the pediatric cardiologist. Because of Chase's oxygen issues and the fact that the path between his heart and lungs was not working correctly at birth, the left side of his heart had become enlarged. I never ever ever will forget what the dr. said after he examined Chase. He said, "If I had not been the one here to see this child when he was sick, I would NEVER have known he had been sick. Everything looks perfect!" In fact, they dismissed us from follow-ups since Chase showed NO signs of effects from his illness.
As most of you know, Chase is a healthy, happy, God loving, God serving 13 year old today. He knows what God did for him. He has even shared that at Bible School. He knows he was touched by the hand of God.
As bad as that time was we wouldn't change a thing. Sure I would have preferred not to have gone through it all, but the person I became because of it all is a better person. You see, I knew that God was the Great Physician, but I had never needed healing until then. God healed Chase and now I have 1st hand knowledge of Him as the Great Physician. So, as I have faced situations since that seemed impossible to man, I recalled who I knew God to be and claimed his promise in Matthew 21:22---"Whatsoever you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive."
As I said, Chase is a healthy 13 year old. He is involved in track this year at school. As he began conditioning for track he came down with some pretty severe shin splints. He came in one morning almost in tears over his shins. They were killing him. He was convinced the problem was more than shin splints when in fact that is what it was....shin splints. I remember saying to Glenn that evening as I recounted Chase's complaint, "Thank you God for shin splints." That translates to...I am so glad I have a 13 year old that can come into the kitchen and tell me his shins hurt. I am so glad that his is able to use his body normally. For 13 years earlier, I didn't even know if he was going to make a 30 minute helicopter flight.
Shin splints occur as the muscle in your shin is conditioned. If you do not properly stretch before running, you can develop shin splints. If you run on the wrong type of surface, you can develop shin splints. If you run in the wrong type of shoes, you can also develop shin splints. But all in all, shin splints occur when the muscle is being used in a way it is not accustomed to being used. Now that Chase has had proper training and conditioning, he does not suffer shin splints. Much like a runner experiences shin splints, I did as well in my spiritual life. Without that part of my life exercising my faith and endurance as a follower of Christ, I would not be conditioned for today. Now just like a runner can still experience shin splints a Christian can experience them as well. But it is in those moments of pain that we exercise and stretch our faith to overcome the pain. So, ........"Thank you God for Shin Splints".
The end.
Chase continued to improve, slowly but surely. I actually got to hold him for the first time when he was 5 days old. It was incredible. The NICU had a specific way they wanted you to hold them, called Kangaroo Care. It is when you open up your shirt and lay the baby's bare chest on your bare chest. Their stats stabilize and improve almost immediately. Their oxygen saturation gets higher, they are calm, and they even begin to pick up your breathing patterns.
What an incredible picture of how we are when we are in the arms of God. When we are right where we are supposed to be. Our lives are optimized. We even begin to have the same 'heartbeat' as God. Oh what a sweet place to be. Everything is truly stabilized and running just like it is supposed to.
We remained in the hospital for a total of 12 days. We were so blessed by numerous visitors and our families were there 90% of the time. God truly sent His best angels to minister to us during that time.
The day finally came when we got to go home. Whew! I was a nervous wreck. Chase did not come home with any monitors or medications. He was healed completely. He was eating and sleeping perfectly. But I was scared to death. So momma came home with us too. Things really did go very well. I just simply could not stop praising God for what He had done. He had basically taken Chase from his death bed and revived him with new life. I remember at one time thinking, "Ok, if I don't keep thanking God, Chase will be sick again". Man, Satan really pulls some cheap punches. He even tries to sabotage miracles and enjoying the miracle. I sent him running with those thoughts and told him that God healed Chase and that was that. I rested in peace after that.
After being in NICU you must do developmental check ups to make sure the baby develops correctly. This is where they can spot CP as soon as possible as well as any other defects from the traumatic birth. So, when Chase was 3 months old we went back for our 1st follow up visit. Everything was great. I had prayed, when Chase was at his very worst, that God would heal him above and beyond what man expected. I asked God to make him above average so he would not continually be labeled the "kid that was sick when he was born". Well, he was WELL above average in weight (90%) and all of his development was above average. They scheduled us to return in 3 months.
We returned when he was 6 months old and once again....he was well above average. This time we had to see the pediatric cardiologist. Because of Chase's oxygen issues and the fact that the path between his heart and lungs was not working correctly at birth, the left side of his heart had become enlarged. I never ever ever will forget what the dr. said after he examined Chase. He said, "If I had not been the one here to see this child when he was sick, I would NEVER have known he had been sick. Everything looks perfect!" In fact, they dismissed us from follow-ups since Chase showed NO signs of effects from his illness.
As most of you know, Chase is a healthy, happy, God loving, God serving 13 year old today. He knows what God did for him. He has even shared that at Bible School. He knows he was touched by the hand of God.
As bad as that time was we wouldn't change a thing. Sure I would have preferred not to have gone through it all, but the person I became because of it all is a better person. You see, I knew that God was the Great Physician, but I had never needed healing until then. God healed Chase and now I have 1st hand knowledge of Him as the Great Physician. So, as I have faced situations since that seemed impossible to man, I recalled who I knew God to be and claimed his promise in Matthew 21:22---"Whatsoever you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive."
As I said, Chase is a healthy 13 year old. He is involved in track this year at school. As he began conditioning for track he came down with some pretty severe shin splints. He came in one morning almost in tears over his shins. They were killing him. He was convinced the problem was more than shin splints when in fact that is what it was....shin splints. I remember saying to Glenn that evening as I recounted Chase's complaint, "Thank you God for shin splints." That translates to...I am so glad I have a 13 year old that can come into the kitchen and tell me his shins hurt. I am so glad that his is able to use his body normally. For 13 years earlier, I didn't even know if he was going to make a 30 minute helicopter flight.
Shin splints occur as the muscle in your shin is conditioned. If you do not properly stretch before running, you can develop shin splints. If you run on the wrong type of surface, you can develop shin splints. If you run in the wrong type of shoes, you can also develop shin splints. But all in all, shin splints occur when the muscle is being used in a way it is not accustomed to being used. Now that Chase has had proper training and conditioning, he does not suffer shin splints. Much like a runner experiences shin splints, I did as well in my spiritual life. Without that part of my life exercising my faith and endurance as a follower of Christ, I would not be conditioned for today. Now just like a runner can still experience shin splints a Christian can experience them as well. But it is in those moments of pain that we exercise and stretch our faith to overcome the pain. So, ........"Thank you God for Shin Splints".
The end.
Listen and Learn
I must admit that my children teach me probably way more than I teach them. Poor kids. I have thought of this lesson very often and last night was reminded of it once again. How long does one pray for something? Ya just keep praying until you get an answer. That is a lesson Cade (9 years old) has taught and reminded me of.
About 3 1/2 years ago, Cade had a friend who became gravely ill very suddenly. His friend went from playing baseball and being a kid one day, to becoming sick unto death the very next moment. The diagnosis was not and still is not clear, but this friend went into, and is still in, a vegetated state. He can not communicate with you nor can he understand you. He doesn't move. He is just there.
It was very hard for a 6 year old to learn of a friend, your own age, being so sick. All we knew is we had to pray for him. We had to plea and beg God to heal him. And from the very moment we learned of his sickness until today, Cade has asked God to heal that child each and every single night in his bedtime prayer. Glenn and I have both commented to one another time and time again how Cade reminds us to keep praying for that little person. He never misses.
I remember a few months ago he asked me, "Mom, why hasn't God healed *****?" I told him I just didn't know. Then he asked, "IS he going to heal him?" I told him again that I just don't know. Those were tough questions to ask and to answer. But for real, most of the time our answer is "I just don't know".
What a precious reminder to keep on praying. Keep on praying when there is no answer. Keep on praying when you can't see it helping. Cade has never considered to stop praying askin God to heal his friend. He just keeps on praying.
I have told him how cool it would be if one day his friend just woke up and showed up at one of his ballgames. He agrees that would be cool. And the truth is, one day his friend WILL be healed and as sad as it is to say, it might not be here.
So, as Dori in Finding Nemo would say, "Just Keep Praying, Just Keep Praying."
About 3 1/2 years ago, Cade had a friend who became gravely ill very suddenly. His friend went from playing baseball and being a kid one day, to becoming sick unto death the very next moment. The diagnosis was not and still is not clear, but this friend went into, and is still in, a vegetated state. He can not communicate with you nor can he understand you. He doesn't move. He is just there.
It was very hard for a 6 year old to learn of a friend, your own age, being so sick. All we knew is we had to pray for him. We had to plea and beg God to heal him. And from the very moment we learned of his sickness until today, Cade has asked God to heal that child each and every single night in his bedtime prayer. Glenn and I have both commented to one another time and time again how Cade reminds us to keep praying for that little person. He never misses.
I remember a few months ago he asked me, "Mom, why hasn't God healed *****?" I told him I just didn't know. Then he asked, "IS he going to heal him?" I told him again that I just don't know. Those were tough questions to ask and to answer. But for real, most of the time our answer is "I just don't know".
What a precious reminder to keep on praying. Keep on praying when there is no answer. Keep on praying when you can't see it helping. Cade has never considered to stop praying askin God to heal his friend. He just keeps on praying.
I have told him how cool it would be if one day his friend just woke up and showed up at one of his ballgames. He agrees that would be cool. And the truth is, one day his friend WILL be healed and as sad as it is to say, it might not be here.
So, as Dori in Finding Nemo would say, "Just Keep Praying, Just Keep Praying."
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