I am here for my small part in supporting our sweet eldest daughter, who is in her first day post-op from a very involved ankle reconstruction. Due to complex health issues, she is suffering throughout most of her body.
By the grace of God, skilled care, medications, an abundance of ice packs, and love, she finally sleeps. And snores. What a beautiful sound!
This road to surgery has been years long and one we tried so many other paths to take around the destination. But here we are. We had high hopes the carefully strategized pre-op plans in place would work to minimize post-op pain. Some have, but not one of the key parts. Isn’t that so true in life? We think we have thought of all the details, but only the Lord knows how it will all come together. So, we ask, “what next?”, to both the surgical and pain teams, and of Jesus. Then we pray some more, hold her hand, and think of all the ways she can be comforted.
As a mom, I so often have wanted to take that long-suffering pain away and bear it myself, and maybe as parents we do inwardly.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 NIV
When I ask the Lord to comfort my loved ones and beg to take that thorn away, I also seek His word and listen for His discernment…and wait…and wait… and ultimately trust. There may not be joy in the situation and most likely impatience on my part, but the hope and the joy in the Lord and his promises remain. In the meantime, I sit here in the in-between and enjoy the sweet sound of restful snoring for the moment.
May the Lord bless you as you comfort a loved one in their affliction. Always stay hope-filled and in communication with Jesus. Scared? Angry? Sad? Take it all to Him; He can handle it.
Whatever is Lovely 