Four Years

It was four years ago this morning that Annie had an Addisonian Crisis that resulted in her brain injury. She was three and a half years old when it happened, so she has been sick longer than she was healthy in her little life. I'm still not used to it.

Yesterday she was crying and scowling and her facial expression briefly reminded me of what she used to look like when she'd get mad about something. It was as if a veil on her face lifted for a tiny second and I caught a glimpse of the Annie who used to be. Even though she was mad, I loved watching her yesterday...and I know she's still in there. I will just keep waiting for her to come out.

You know what helps me wait? Stories about people who waited for a long time, and then finally had their prayers answered. Like Abraham and Sarah--they waited 25 years before their son Isaac was born. Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 99. Hard to believe, but with God all things are possible, right?

Then there was Joseph who was stuck in prison for about 13 years before he became the 2nd in command in Egypt, and then waited about 9 more years before he was reunited with his little brother and father. Over 20 years of waiting.

Jesus healed a woman who was crippled for 18 years. He healed a man by the pool of Bethesda who had been an invalid for 38 years.

I have a friend whose dad slowly lost his sight over the course of a few years and then was blind for 7 years after that. Then God led him to a doctor who gave him medicine that restored his sight.

So far I've only waited four years. I'll keep waiting and praying.

Jean

They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31