Psalms 105:5a, NCSB “Remember the wonderful works He has done.”

REMEMBER

Some people have loads of memories. I must confess I am lacking in the memory department. It is extremely embarrassing to introduce myself to someone and they reply that we went to school together oh so long ago. At class reunions people talk about things that happened in school. It was like I wasn’t even there. There are very few things I rememberabout my childhood or young adult life. God tells us to remember what He has done for us. I am so thankful for the things God has done for me. Even though I don’t remember specifics, I know that I have been blessed in so many ways.

DIAGNOSIS

The week following the doctor’s diagnosis that our daughter was dying was long and hard. I don’t remember much about that week. To process that your child is dying and try to rationalize that reality is beyond comprehension. The doctor did say that he was 98% sure she had cancer, but they would send the tissue to a lab and he would let us know. I clung to that hope of the 2%, that he was in error. He just had to be wrong.

HOPELESS

During the week, our daughter was trying to recover from surgery. She wasn’t doing very well and would not eat. The stress of it all was overwhelming. On Thursday, the doctor came in with the news that he had been correct. Her tumor was rare and deadly. For the first time, I felt completely hopeless and exhausted. He recommended that we visit the doctor at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham and talk with him about our child’s treatment.

STRONG

On Friday, my husband and dad drove to Birmingham to see the doctor. He told them there was no cure and they would do everything possible to keep her comfortable and pain free. He did say he would call MD Anderson and see if there were any new treatments. When they got back from Birmingham, my husband was so low. I remember that during times when he was down, I was strong and during times when I was down, he was strong. I know now that was God working in our lives. We helped each other deal and cope with what we had to face.

I Corinthians 10:13b, MSG, “All you need to remember is that God will never let you down…He will always be there to help you come through.”

STRESS

The stress had taken its toll on us. A dear friend, Roberta Peteet, offered to spend the night at the hospital so I could get some rest. I hated to impose, but I was struggling to hold myself together. I remember the kindness Roberta, our family and friends showed during this time, and I thank God for them. My husband and I stayed the night with my parents. The next morning at breakfast my dad said, “If it were my child, I would take her to MD ANDERSON in Houston. Why would you rely on the doctor in Birmingham to phone them in case there was a new treatment?” There was a little bit of tension in the air because my husband liked the idea of being close to home. After discussion, it was decided that we would go to Houston.

FIGHTING

Back at the hospital, we told the doctor we wanted to go to MD Anderson. He argued with us. He literally told us that we would want to be close to home because we would need the support of our family and friends during this time. Our decision had been made. We were fighting for our daughter’s life.

RAY OF HOPE

She was still not eating. Then one day she suddenly announced she wanted a hamburger. We were so happy that she was hungry. A ray of hope in this despair. A quick run was made to find a fast food burger and fries.

PLANS

We made plans to go to Houston. My mother and I planned to fly with my daughter, and my husband and his brother were going to drive. We would need a car while we were there, and we thought our daughter needed to get there as quickly as possible. She still had a Foley Catheter because of the bladder problems.

MEMORIES

For 40 years I have tried to block the memories of this time. I believe God wants me to recall all that we went through so I can remember all He had done. I believe by remembering and sharing that we can all know of His love.

II Corinthians 4:5, MSG, “Remember, our message is not about ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master.”

Paula Wallace

https://youtu.be/B9TE8D5Vs8k

I Remember by Lauren Daigle

For further reading:  https://www.treadingwatertiljesuscomes.com/2018/07/31/no-matter-what-you-go-through/