Ezekiel 32.21 NAS “The strong among the mighty ones shall speak of him and his helpers from the midst of Sheol, ‘They have gone down, they lie still, the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.’”
When our youngest child was a baby, she exhibited involuntary tongue tremors. Our family doctor sent us to a specialist who said these tremors were known as “fasciculations” and diagnosed Rachel with SMA (spinal muscular atrophy).[1] We were told she would soon be unable to lift her head or even swallow. She would eat by use of feeding tubes and, if we were lucky, she could live to her early teens. Her mother and I were crushed. We wept and prayed hard. So did many others.
After three months of learning to accept our baby’s condition, we obtained an appointment with a nationally recognized authority on SMA who was visiting the Pacific Northwest. He quickly analyzed her tongue and reversed the earlier diagnosis with words I shall never forget: “I’m not sure what it is, but its not SMA.” My wife and I wept again, hard.
Today, at nineteen, Rachel is a whirlwind of activity. She’s always on the go. Her every moving part is in constant locomotion. The tremor disappeared long ago and her tongue works well and often. Rachel has talked unceasingly for nearly two decades. If no one was listening, when she was a little girl, Rachel would speak to herself or the dogs and cats or her stuffed animals. I LOVE this girl! She is just like her mother (whom I adored before she went to be with Jesus.)
When Rachel was growing up, I was sometimes tempted to say, “Lie still” but of course, I held my tongue and quickly recalled my SMA baby and God’s healing power. I fully accept my daughter for exactly what she is... an amazing gift from Jesus. Our bodies will “lie still” soon enough. I, for one, do not want to waste one minute of Christ’s precious gift of life. I’m taking my cue from Rachel and other children who aren’t so blessed. Until I’ve “gone down” to Sheol and “lie still” in my grave, I want to make the most of this life Jesus gave me.
“I came that they may have and enjoy life,
and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).”
Jesus Christ, John 10.10 Amplified Bible
Jesus Christ, John 10.10 Amplified Bible
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[1] Find more about SMA at the “Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy” website at http://www.fsma.org/. Prepare to have your heart broken.
[1] Find more about SMA at the “Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy” website at http://www.fsma.org/. Prepare to have your heart broken.
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5 comments:
I spent the weekend with five granddaughters in constantly changing numbers. I served what they wanted to eat, RUth adn I joined but added antacids to our portion. Sunday after Church I delivered three to one daughter adn then drove th others 4 hours home to the other daughter. Back home I drank in the quiet and peace. My wife concerned because her health would not allow her to help keep up with the kids, started to apologize for arranging for all the girls when she could not help. I admitted to being tired adn admitted to loving the peace of the two of us, and told her I could not imagine a better way to spend the weekend. Besides sometimes you can take peace for granted unless you have it disrupted ocassioinally.
“I came that they may have and enjoy life,
and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).”
Jesus Christ, John 10.10 Amplified Bible
It’s amazing how many people don’t get that. We are here on Earth to enjoy the glory of the Lord. So many seem think we are here to make as much money as possible or impress everyone else. Everything belongs to the Lord so take a look at it. God’s creation is magnificent.
thanks charlie and one-sided for both your comments.
I need to check out your blog more often. too bad you can't start an email list as I do and automatically send special people my latest post.
Tom s
Hey Heli gunner Tom. Thanks for the encouraging comment. I appreciate you.
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