My heart is heavy tonight, burdened by the pains of others, but also filled with hope in the God of miracles.
Two lives, thousands of miles apart, are both fighting to breathe due to lung problems.
The first, a young woman, my friend Shelley, who received a double lung transplant a few months ago. She is now in the hospital facing some major unknown complications, fighting to breath on her own. Awaiting test results that might give bad news or worse news.
The second, tiny baby Elias, born at just 30 weeks, son of Pastor Eligio and Cinthia in Paraguay. His lungs aren't fully developed yet and he's in the ICU in an incubator. Tests being done each day to monitor his progress during this delicate situation.
These situations don't look so happy, but although my heart hurts for them, I have hope.
Hope in my God. My God who does miracles. Whose timing and plans are perfect, though they are not always what we'd like to happen.
A God who never leaves us, nor forsakes us. Who sees us in our victories and our pains.
God sees you, Shelley. His beautiful daughter who He formed so perfectly. His plans for you are perfect, as is His timing. He knows exactly what is going to happen and is guiding each doctor there taking care of you. Your husband's sweet posts on Facebook have let me see a faith so genuine and loving and it's encouraged me so much. God sees you two and He loves you both.
God sees you, Elias. His tiny baby son, so sweet. He formed each little finger and each little toe. He is building your body cell by cell, little by little, as you learn how your body works and what to do with it. He's watching over your doctors, giving them the knowledge of how to coach your lungs into doing their thing. He's watching your loving mommy and daddy and holding them close during this time of such uncertainty. He loves the three of you and He sees you in your time of need.
Oh Lord. I love you and I have faith that you will do miraculous things in both these situations. Please comfort Shelley and Elias and their families. Guide the doctors' hands and minds as they perform procedures and tests and give diagnoses.
May Your healing hand be upon Shelley's new lungs and her whole body, releasing her of her pain and any infection or rejection she may be facing.
May they also be upon sweet Elias. On his tiny little body, still developing and growing. You as His Creator, Father. You know how each little cell functions and you know how to help his lungs breath.
You breathed the breath of life onto these sweet children of Yours, Father. Now help them to breath on their own.
