I tried to squeeze my post-Thanksgiving/pre-Christmas bloated hands into adorable pink gloves that claimed to be a fit for all. Note the word squeezed. The gloves did not fit. Rarely can one-size-fit-all.
Last week, I had a surprise visit from a friend I haven't seen in apparently 3 years. She wanted to know all about Eamon, an abridged report of all we have experienced in the Prince's 22+ months. The sprint down memory lane forced me to retell the story and be reminded, again, that clearly God knows that one-size is not the right fit. His grace, which incidentally is the theme of our Eamon adventure, is customized. Perfectly molded for each circumstance and new each day. It never loses staying power. It is completely divine. A miracle.
So many are hurting. Cancer looms, death knocks, sickness robs, betrayal stings, finances scare. Sincere pray waiting to be answered. And yet, it is. Grace. Allowing human hearts to rise above what would otherwise destroy. Hearts able to be at peace and experience joy in its simplest, most profound form. That is Grace. Strength that defies - Grace. Vision that can see "plan B" might just be the real plan. Being in the eye of the storm - Grace.
So when asked, "How do you do it - be Eamon's mom?" The answer is I don't, it is all Grace. I couldn't read an other's script. This grace is customized for my "broken road".
Customized-Grace, my number 149!
Showing posts with label Lessons Learned. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lessons Learned. Show all posts
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Lessons I'm Learning Along the Road - Part 2
Choices
I received a phone call last night from a mom I met at M&M's gym class. She wanted to apologize for her perceived insensitivity of me. Let me explain. Her son has many sensory and tone issues. He usually needs an adult with him during class for assistance, but recently is feeling confident to explore alone. Yesterday, he did a somersault - first ever. He jumped up, eyes searching for his mom - and together they cheered. He in the gym, she at my side through the observation glass. Tears followed. This mom was so moved by her son's accomplishment that her emotion overtook her, and she reacted in the most genuine mom way. She was concerned that her excitement was insensitive to how I must be feeling because of Eamon's situation. I assured her that her reaction was most appropriate, and that I recently had a similar experience with Eamon - the belly laughing.
This reminded me that for many people our "situation" seems quite difficult. And sometimes, it is. But, the greater part of our time is spent rejoicing over the beauty we see in and through Eamon's life. I have found that God gives us what we need for each day, plenty of common grace. But, what is required of me is the choice. I have to decide to trust, decide to believe, decide to be joy-full. And when I do, when I decide to count on God - He meets me, every time. And it's immediate. I might toil over the choice, time wasted there, but God's response is always immediate. He has yet to fail me.
The Box
I am a think-inside-the-box-kind of girl. Life in general, and in particular with Eamon, requires some outside the box experiences. David and I have contemplated sending the video clip of Eamon laughing to one of the high-risk Dr's we had when I was pregnant. She clearly questioned our "commitment to the pregnancy" and was certain that death was the "fetus's" only future. And so, here you have our little man, laughing in the face of all that was pronounced over him. Life existing outside the box that she placed him in. Life, different from all she knew it could be. Life abundant and full - outside the box. As a matter of fact, blowing the top right off!
And then there is our knowledge of God. How can we explain Him and His ways? They too do not fit into my neatly lined-up boxes. His ways and thoughts are so much higher than mine. I read recently, who would want to worship a God who can be fully comprehended? One limited by my capacity to create. He is I am - what does that mean? To me, it means He is in all of it: the pain, struggle, and tears; and, the miracles and wonders, peace that passes understanding, and the joy unspeakable. He is with us and for us. Always working all things together for our good and to make his glory known.
Gift List continued
111. Encounters with God - in or out of the box!
I received a phone call last night from a mom I met at M&M's gym class. She wanted to apologize for her perceived insensitivity of me. Let me explain. Her son has many sensory and tone issues. He usually needs an adult with him during class for assistance, but recently is feeling confident to explore alone. Yesterday, he did a somersault - first ever. He jumped up, eyes searching for his mom - and together they cheered. He in the gym, she at my side through the observation glass. Tears followed. This mom was so moved by her son's accomplishment that her emotion overtook her, and she reacted in the most genuine mom way. She was concerned that her excitement was insensitive to how I must be feeling because of Eamon's situation. I assured her that her reaction was most appropriate, and that I recently had a similar experience with Eamon - the belly laughing.
This reminded me that for many people our "situation" seems quite difficult. And sometimes, it is. But, the greater part of our time is spent rejoicing over the beauty we see in and through Eamon's life. I have found that God gives us what we need for each day, plenty of common grace. But, what is required of me is the choice. I have to decide to trust, decide to believe, decide to be joy-full. And when I do, when I decide to count on God - He meets me, every time. And it's immediate. I might toil over the choice, time wasted there, but God's response is always immediate. He has yet to fail me.
The Box
I am a think-inside-the-box-kind of girl. Life in general, and in particular with Eamon, requires some outside the box experiences. David and I have contemplated sending the video clip of Eamon laughing to one of the high-risk Dr's we had when I was pregnant. She clearly questioned our "commitment to the pregnancy" and was certain that death was the "fetus's" only future. And so, here you have our little man, laughing in the face of all that was pronounced over him. Life existing outside the box that she placed him in. Life, different from all she knew it could be. Life abundant and full - outside the box. As a matter of fact, blowing the top right off!
And then there is our knowledge of God. How can we explain Him and His ways? They too do not fit into my neatly lined-up boxes. His ways and thoughts are so much higher than mine. I read recently, who would want to worship a God who can be fully comprehended? One limited by my capacity to create. He is I am - what does that mean? To me, it means He is in all of it: the pain, struggle, and tears; and, the miracles and wonders, peace that passes understanding, and the joy unspeakable. He is with us and for us. Always working all things together for our good and to make his glory known.
Gift List continued
111. Encounters with God - in or out of the box!
Friday, July 25, 2008
We Will See
Max Lucado tells the tale of the man whose horse ran away and his neighbors loudly bemoaned his loss. The worn farmer merely says, “We’ll see.”
When the horse surprisingly returns the next day, leading with him three wild horses, the neighbors extol such bountiful blessing. To which the wrinkled sage merely says, “We’ll see.”
Not so many days later, the son of the farmer was laid up with a broken leg, the result of trying to break in one of the undomesticated horses. Neighbors offer their condolences on such a bad turn of events. The farmer responds characteristically, “We’ll see.”
Shortly thereafter, all the young men in the district were drafted into the state army. Except for the farmer’s son. He was still limping about with a broken leg.
I read this on another blog that was discussing God's goodness and grace in our lives. I love stories that cause our perspective to shift. "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1 Corinthians 13: 12
Eamon had a tremendous day. He was stronger than usual during therapy and full of joy. He simply spent the day smiling, chatting, and letting out his little laugh. He responded to everyone who spoke to him. God showed his goodness, clearly, today.
But the truth is God's goodness is always present, even when I can not see. It is his character to be loving and good to us. Therefore, regardless of the day Eamon is having God remains the same. "Taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8
As for tomorrow, we will see.
When the horse surprisingly returns the next day, leading with him three wild horses, the neighbors extol such bountiful blessing. To which the wrinkled sage merely says, “We’ll see.”
Not so many days later, the son of the farmer was laid up with a broken leg, the result of trying to break in one of the undomesticated horses. Neighbors offer their condolences on such a bad turn of events. The farmer responds characteristically, “We’ll see.”
Shortly thereafter, all the young men in the district were drafted into the state army. Except for the farmer’s son. He was still limping about with a broken leg.
I read this on another blog that was discussing God's goodness and grace in our lives. I love stories that cause our perspective to shift. "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1 Corinthians 13: 12
Eamon had a tremendous day. He was stronger than usual during therapy and full of joy. He simply spent the day smiling, chatting, and letting out his little laugh. He responded to everyone who spoke to him. God showed his goodness, clearly, today.
But the truth is God's goodness is always present, even when I can not see. It is his character to be loving and good to us. Therefore, regardless of the day Eamon is having God remains the same. "Taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8
As for tomorrow, we will see.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Lessons I'm Learning Along the Road
As I go through my days, God seems to illuminate certain ideas. Life, a least mine, is like running in a great race. Long distance vs. sprinting. And so, there are many lessons presented, few are mastered, most are a work-in-progress.
Patience
Maeve serves as a fine example of this virtue. I've shared how she enjoys working with Eamon during therapy. I realized she has the ability to wait on her brother. She loves him so purely, making no demands or setting any type of time constraint. She simply allows him opportunity to respond. Stopping, waiting, being still. It is here that I can see with clarity and hear the voice of truth.
The theme of waiting and trusting keeps resurfacing - God's way of driving a point home for me. I have been reading from Streams in the Desert, the classic devotional, and so worth a read . It was originally written in 1925, but is relevant for today. It is amazingly contemporary, speaking directly into my current situation, only as God's word could. Proof that the word of God is "living and active".
The Language of Love
Loving Eamon transcends my knowledge of "love". The love I've known before was mostly a give and take. Eamon exudes love, and I marvel how easy it is for me to feel well-connected to our little man. He doesn't give back the "normal' hugs, kisses, coos or a consistent smile that intimate love for another. The miracle is that it is not required. We can communicate deeply through a gaze, touch, whisper, or grunt. Spirit to Spirit.
He is a magnet for children. They are drawn to his presence because God holds Eamon in a place of peace. Mary, the late daughter of Eamon's physical therapist, had many obvious needs and traveled with lots of bells and whistles - much like my Eamon. Mary was on a family outing at the Boardwalk. People seemed to be staring in a way that made her older brother uncomfortable. He asked their mother if it bothered her that people so rudely invaded their time with glares. Her response was telling. She kindly told her son not to worry, and to let Mary do her thing - teaching, offering love and acceptance, and sharing joy. Eamon needs little introduction. His little life beckons us to all that is good, pure and lovely. What a gift!
Perfection
Eamon's life challenges my ideas of perfection. Who determines what is the ideal, or whose life has the most merit. God holds the scale - and Eamon fits perfectly in his balance.
I tend to be a perfectionist, a goal completely impossible to attain. I like to control all aspects of life. Having Eamon has required that I give up, to some degree, control. Ultimately all to God, who can do a much better job than I, but it's a challenge for me. There is tremendous freedom in giving it all over to God - and so, I am working to do so more consistently.
I'm so thankful that God uses my children to teach me. May I be a quick study!
Patience
Maeve serves as a fine example of this virtue. I've shared how she enjoys working with Eamon during therapy. I realized she has the ability to wait on her brother. She loves him so purely, making no demands or setting any type of time constraint. She simply allows him opportunity to respond. Stopping, waiting, being still. It is here that I can see with clarity and hear the voice of truth.
The theme of waiting and trusting keeps resurfacing - God's way of driving a point home for me. I have been reading from Streams in the Desert, the classic devotional, and so worth a read . It was originally written in 1925, but is relevant for today. It is amazingly contemporary, speaking directly into my current situation, only as God's word could. Proof that the word of God is "living and active".
The Language of Love
Loving Eamon transcends my knowledge of "love". The love I've known before was mostly a give and take. Eamon exudes love, and I marvel how easy it is for me to feel well-connected to our little man. He doesn't give back the "normal' hugs, kisses, coos or a consistent smile that intimate love for another. The miracle is that it is not required. We can communicate deeply through a gaze, touch, whisper, or grunt. Spirit to Spirit.
He is a magnet for children. They are drawn to his presence because God holds Eamon in a place of peace. Mary, the late daughter of Eamon's physical therapist, had many obvious needs and traveled with lots of bells and whistles - much like my Eamon. Mary was on a family outing at the Boardwalk. People seemed to be staring in a way that made her older brother uncomfortable. He asked their mother if it bothered her that people so rudely invaded their time with glares. Her response was telling. She kindly told her son not to worry, and to let Mary do her thing - teaching, offering love and acceptance, and sharing joy. Eamon needs little introduction. His little life beckons us to all that is good, pure and lovely. What a gift!
Perfection
Eamon's life challenges my ideas of perfection. Who determines what is the ideal, or whose life has the most merit. God holds the scale - and Eamon fits perfectly in his balance.
I tend to be a perfectionist, a goal completely impossible to attain. I like to control all aspects of life. Having Eamon has required that I give up, to some degree, control. Ultimately all to God, who can do a much better job than I, but it's a challenge for me. There is tremendous freedom in giving it all over to God - and so, I am working to do so more consistently.
I'm so thankful that God uses my children to teach me. May I be a quick study!
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