Hope
I cried today…
We were in the car driving to Joel’s therapy session when he was talking about, when he grows up. He was telling us that the job he wants is to drive a big truck that would bring food and toys to kids that don’t have any. Then he talked about his son and daughter and things he would give them. Finally my 6 1/2-year-old Joel said,
“Know what I can’t wait for?”
“What’s that Joel?”
“To get married!”
I quietly cried at his sweetness, but I also cried about my fears. We all want the best for our children, we don’t want them to experience disappointment. When I share the things he says here I don’t add in how many times he repeats a word looking for the next or how many umms he says the above conversation about his job and future wife probably took about 10 minutes for him. If I was having the same conversation with Joshua it would probably taken Joshua a minute to say the same thing.
The doctors and therapist cannot make us any promises if Joel will ever improve maybe…
Is there a girl out there with that much patience, to fall in love with a boy who has a wonderful heart but has trouble getting his words out? Not to mention his cognitive issues?
So I cried wondering how many disappointments he may face. The silly part is we all face disappointments. I have friends with grown children. They have watched their children make mistakes, lost a job, watch as their child’s marriage fell apart, a daughter miscarrying. We live in a fallen world and we are told by Christ himself that we will have troubles.
But there is HOPE…
I know it. I don’t know Joel’s future but God does, once again I need to lay my little boy at His feet and pray not MY will be done Lord, but YOURS.
The coolest thing was I came home and checked my email and there was an email from a girl who has a little boy about the same age as Joel. ( I belong to a Yahoo group called cerebellarmutism which deals with kids that have experienced Posterior Fossa Syndrome which Joel has.) Basically, the side effects Joel has experienced from surgery are all part and parcel of Posterior Fossa Syndrome (PFS), muteness, loss of motor control down the right side, eye turning in, facial paralysis, ataxia etc. these are all things Joel dealt with and to some degree still deals with. At any rate back to the email, this girl’s little guy’s PFS was worse than Joel’s and he is receiving some different treatments than Joel is and he is making amazing leaps and bounds in recovery and she is willing to share all that they are doing with their son. I know that no two children are the same and just because it is working for her son does not mean it will for Joel but it was so encouraging.
It felt like it was straight from God, I had not even laid my worries before Him and I felt like He was saying to me, “See there is always HOPE.”
Whatever you are going through the message is still the same, there is always HOPE, no matter what.
I started this post on Monday and now it is early Tuesday morning, I did not forget about The Clean Heart Clean Home Challenge I am still slowly plugging away at it but as I have not made the headway I was hoping for I decided to post next Monday and there is always HOPE that this is the week I will finally catch up!!
Pin It
11 Comments
Andi
I have not forget about Joel, I wish I could share what his story has meant to me….but I simply can not find the right word….But yes, by Yah's will…. there is a girl out there. ;0)
marlece
Cheryl, isn't that something about how the Lord works? YOu had JUST been fighting the fear and unknown of Joel's little world, you lay Him down for the Lord's care JUST ONE MORE TIME, and He instantly sends you some encouragement. This Jesus of ours is absolutely crazy in love with Joel and knows your heart, this is our assurance……aren't we all so blessed. I love this so much my friend.
My recent post Undercover party host!
Carolyn
Oh Cheryl … indeed I have had the same thoughts about our guy, Gabe! All I can say is … "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord"
Psalm 27:14. With love for your sweet family:)
Wendy
New to your blog and to your story. Just added Joel's button to my blog. It will remind me to pray for your boy. Hang in there my friend. Your Father loves you and you're precious boy.
~Wendy
My recent post Kindle Giveaway! This Time for Real! ~CLOSED~
Sandra
Even though we don't know what the future holds, it's reassuring to know that the LORD is directing our steps. I would like to share an encouraging bible verse with you.
Jeremiah 29:11
New International Version (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. "
The LORD has an amazing future for sweet little Joel.
I believe it.
Thank-you for sharing your daily life on your blog.
I pray for you and your family daily.
Kim A.
Hi, Cheryl. We have never met, but I am an old Bible College friend of your husband's. I have recently connected with him on Facebook and he often links your blog to his Facebook account; I've been able to read here now and then. I think you are amazing. This post was so heartwarming. You can count on my prayers for your son's healing process. I have a blog as well. You can link to it at http://www.kim-possible7.blogspot.com if you have time to check it out. I am also a homeschooling mom, but I've only got 2 to instruct:) You must be very busy. Take care, and keep HOPING.
Lisa
What marlece said above: "Cheryl, isn't that something about how the Lord works? YOu had JUST been fighting the fear and unknown of Joel's little world, you lay Him down for the Lord's care JUST ONE MORE TIME, and He instantly sends you some encouragement". Is so very true…when you surrender, you can see the message. I love, love, love it! http://pinterest.com/pin/103934703870120606/
xoxoxx
Becky Jane
Your post is so beautiful. It encompasses what every mother goes through. Our joys, fears, realities are all rolled up in what you said. Thank you for your spiritual strength. The Lord has given you a special little boy to love and raise…HE knows you are just the right Mom for Joel!
CherylatOldPath
Thank you Becky Jane, It is nice to hear the encouraging words of others.
Angela
You don't know me because I stumbled onto your blog via Pinterest (through your homemade baby wipes post, of all things 🙂 Here is what I want to try to say: I have three kids of my own and I know as parents how much we think about their futures and wonder and hope and pray that all will go as best as it can for them. It's fully what we are supposed to do, and cannot help but do. It's all I can do to leave trust to the hands of the one that made them…I guess he gave me my natural control streak so maybe we'll have to hash that out at some point….
With this said, I can add that my husband and I met and connected *first* on the point of our childhood struggles. I still struggle with a physical condition that set me back as a child. My husband was bedridden with juvenile nephritis for years as a child too and didn't get to do many of the things that most kids get to do. These challenges, for us, were a draw to each other…we *understood* what the other had gone through. We to-this-day have challenges, for sure, but I know that what we went through gives us empathy as parents toward our children and their struggles *and* also, for another, hopefully lets me pass along hope to you. Absolutely there is *someone* out there who will love that little boy of yours with all of her heart. I truly, truly believe that. In the meanwhile, you, as his mom, are the perfect fit…the fact that you worry and hope and pray means that *no matter what* you are giving him as much as *you* possibly can…the absolute best you can do.
CherylatOldPath
Angela thank you for your kind words, funny I called my post \’Hope\’ as I know there is always hope but it has been all of my wonderful readers who have given me a renewed sense of hope. I thank God for each of you that you take the time to share your lives with me and encourage me along this journey. Again, Thank you!