Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Century Mark

100 days in the hospital.

I'd be lying if I told you the walls weren't caving in.

Literally, we trip over things, run into things, knock little willowtree angels off the counter and break their heads off...cabin fever is intensifying.

There are days that I'm angry. Frustrated. Pitying myself.

And then I remember the day we came from Akron Children's to Cleveland Clinic. The reason we came was because the Clinic had Heart Transplant capabilities and ECMO, a machine that bridges the gap for critical patients, sometimes giving them time for a transplant...sometimes giving them time to recover on their own.

She was on a Bair Hugger, a machine used to control her temperature because her body couldn't do it on its own. I have yet to see any other kiddos in my time here on a bair hugger.

100 days in a hospital is a gift, when you were looking at funeral arrangements on day 5.

Chaia went into the hospital on a day in the 60s, with sunshine and mostly green leaves. She is going to learn to hate Cleveland weather when she gets out.

When Chaia went into the hospital, the Browns were 2-1...(sigh).

The other day, a nurse practitioner said resolutely that Chaia was a miracle.

But, in many ways, there are still more questions than answers. And there likely always will be with her.

Here's what we do know. God's fame is increasing because of Chaia's life.

And that is what we have prayed for all along.

Be very clear, we have asked God to bring fame to His name through this experience. If that means instant healing...bring it on. If it means gradual healing...bring it on. If it means no healing...bring it on.

So 100 days is a gift...because hearts are softening.

Ezekiel 36:26 is happening to more people than just Chaia.

And so I plead with you, don't waste the gift.

Cry out to God for rescue through Christ.

Do that thing you know you are supposed to be obedient with but have drug your feet.

Reconcile with that family member that you've been acting childishly or bitterly toward for too long.

Go meet your neighbors.

Hug your kids.

Read the Bible.

Serve the poor.

Go to Church.

Change Your World.

But for God's sake, don't waste your gift.

6 comments:

Joanne Sadlon said...

Started doing it the first day I met Chaia.

virginiap said...

Beautifully said. There's no doubt God has spoken to me through Chaia and your family. God bless you,

Virginia

Anonymous said...

Ecclesiastes 9:7-10b MSG
Seize life! Eat bread with gusto,
Drink wine with a robust heart.
Oh yes—God takes pleasure in your pleasure!
Dress festively every morning.
Don't skimp on colors and scarves.
Relish life with the spouse you love
Each and every day of your precarious life.
Each day is God's gift. It's all you get in exchange
For the hard work of staying alive.
Make the most of each one!
Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily! . . .

Anonymous said...

Thank you Ben, yet again you hit the nail on the head. Keeping you all in prayers and yet adding to list. May the Lord keep blessing you. Jennet

Kimberly Fisher said...

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:36

Rayan said...

Bair Hugger Bair Hugger warming therapy is a standard for warming surgical patients around the world. The Bair Hugger warming system has warmed more than 200 million patients, and continues to be used by hospitals and surgeons each day without incident.