Well, dear friends, I am once again sitting here with my laptop, about to give you an update on sweet Charlie. I don’t want to be typing these words right now, but you are my prayer warriors, you are my friends, you have carved out a place in your heart for Charlie. And so, I write…
As you know, we have had a 2 week breather so to speak in tests, treatments, pokes and prodding. We have been lifting Charlie in prayer continually. We have been praying scripture over her, and teaching our girls to pray, to quote scriptures, and to simply trust. Simply trust.
We are scheduled to have scans repeated on her head and chest on Monday, and possibly start as soon as next week. That is what our logic told us to do. That is what the doctors who have dedicated their lives to saving the lives of little children, have told us to do. So, with our minds….we scheduled. With our hearts…we simply trust.
So, tonight just after giving Charlie her bath, I was getting her dressed and she was being her silly self. Laughing, giggling, and being squirmy as usual. In the middle of one of her biggest laughs, I saw a lesion on her top right gum. (One of the telltale signs of LCH). At first, I thought it was something in her mouth….then we played the “say ahhhh” game, and I was silently punched in the gut. I am guessing some angels were dispatched immediately as they saw my shoulders droop, and ever so gently they took hold of my elbows and began the task of lifting my arms until the strength had been renewed.
I immediately sent word to Everett, who was not here at the time, and then we were able to talk and lift each other’s faith and spirits. I am so thankful for a husband who loves his family and his God so passionately. No, we don’t have answers. Yes, we are hurting. But, this one thing we are assured of. God will get, and IS getting the glory, even now! We may be on a rickety boat on a stormy ocean wave, but we have a calm, just knowing that the God who created Charlie, has His hands on the oars. Ephesians 3:20 says “Glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope”. We have dared to ask. We have hoped. And we give Glory to God!
The past couple of weeks have brought me in contact with many wonderful people who are parents, friends, etc…to a child with LCH. It has been such a blessing to talk with these moms, and friends, and draw strength and support from them. I want to share with you what a new friend (as of yesterday) :-) had shared with me tonight. It is the passage from Psalm 91. Such a beautiful passage, and one I have heard many, many times, but tonight every word had a new significance. It was as if God was writing this on my heart. A portion of it says this:
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
Will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
He is my God, and I trust him.
For he will rescue you from every trap
And protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”
So, tonight I have the promise of safety. He is not only my (and Charlie’s) armor and protection, He has decided to cover us. Not with stones, wood, heavy wool blankets, or a scratchy tarp, but He has chosen feathers. It’s like He is tucking us in…pulling that fluffy feather comforter of His love right up around our chin, wrapping it under us, and whispering….”I have you covered. Do you see those wings above? They are mine. That is your shelter. You have trusted me. And I delight in that. Sleep well, little one….”.
Please keep us in your prayers. We feel each and every one of them and are so grateful for the outpouring of love and support. Love to you all tonight.
Psalm 111:3 “Everything He does reveals His glory and majesty…”
rhonda….my heart just aches to read your post…but i will join the many forces in prayer. God gave you those dear gifts and the joy you have placed in their hearts these last months may be just the medicine Charlie needs to pull through this. she can now draw from your strength, your courage, your god…where as before she may not have had that. You’ve given her the true gift of love and life…and with that she will make it through this!!
It’s one of the hardest things to do,to see your child sick or hurting.I’m praying for little Charlie,and for you and Everett,as.you hold each othet up through this.God has you all under his wing,and He will be your strength and hope.Yes,it aches my heart,as children are so precious,but the Lord has his angels watching over them.In this,you can find peace.Love,and prayers!
My son John has to have a scope down his mouth and throat every year. They also look for lesions in his mouth. He is susceptible to cancer of the mouth and throat a risk in the second phase of his disease. I will be keeping your family and daughter in my prayers. God will hold you like a butterfly in a cocoon, his peace will guide in the midst of the storm. Praying for complete healing for your daughter Charlie. All things are possible with God! My son John is a testimony of God’s miracles each and every day..
God bless,
Ann Eckstadt
aeckstadt@sbcglobal.net