MIRACLES BEGIN

Linda's pastor prayed that the medical folks would be surprised at his recovery. She asked us to look for that.
Ian had to learn to eat after a week of total paralysis. He learned fast. After his first bottle, the ICU nurse said, "It is a miracle he is sucking like this at this time."
Ian has been moved out of PICU to regular pediatrics. Ericka from ICU came for a visit with a student nurse in tow. She told the student, "If you want to see a miracle baby, come with me."
Another ICU nurse came by to visit. Looking at Ian she said,"It is just like his problem is being erased.

WILL IAN RUN

April 25
Today I take a break from the hospital to take in a track meet where Grandsons Ryan and Evan are running. It is a great day. Ryan qualifies for State in the 100, wins the 200 prelims and final and wins the 400 to qualify for State. It was great fun to see him run. Evan is just back from two weeks in bed with mono and having his tonsils out. He is obviously not up to speed, but has a good spirit about it.
Back to the hospital for an evening visit. As I drive there I reflect on the day and wonder if little Ian will some day run.
God assures me he will.

COME AND SEE

April 24:

Yesterday they have started taking him off meds and letting him come back. This was not a pretty scene. He looked like he would never be the beautiful little boy we once knew. I woke up praying, “Lord what will you do or say to us today?” The only answer I got was, “Come and see.”

I could hardly wait to get to the hospital.

When I got to his room, he was sitting on his mother’s lap. I sat down in front of him and started talking to him. He smiled at me!

THE OMINOUS MRI

April 23:

They now have done an MRI and there is clearly brain damage. There is damage to the left side of his brain. He will likely have motor problems with the right side of his body. His right eye may have problems, etc. Thankfully retardation is ruled out. My prayer is for some kind of recovery assuming such damage is irreversible. God then reminds me of the resurrection. I begin to consider Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Read about it in John 11.

When Jesus showed up Lazarus had been dead four days. When He asked for the stone to be rolled away from the tomb, Martha warned him there would be a stench. I wonder what the MRI of Lazarus looked like. My guess is any expert neurologist worth his salt would have said, “I assure you this guy will not be home for lunch.”

Minutes later Jesus called Lazarus out. The MRI then would have shown one astounding change.

I started praying for resurrected brain cells for Ian.

IAN WILL GROW OLD

April 22: What is going to happen with this little guy?

This morning I read Proverbs 22:6

Train a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not turn from it.

God is saying Ian will grow old.

I also read John Maxwell’s notes on this verse he calls LEADING OUR CHILDREN. Great insights on parenting. 1. The best way to train a child is to live it yourself. 2. Training a child the way he should go may call for adapting our style to account for his temperament and wiring. 3. We need to create memories for a child. That is what he will remember and guide him when he is old.

GOD IS IN CONTROL

April 21: More questions from authorities. It looks like the detectives and DHS are wholly incompetent. It is clear if they ask and believe the doctors, the problem is not with Kevin and Lynae, but the daycare person. Go figure!

This morning I read Proverbs 21:1.

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD;

he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases

God will direct the authorities.

FORGIVENESS

April 20: It is still hard to look at Ian lying in his medically induced paralyzed state. Will he ever recover? What a terrible thing was done to him. It is so easy to hate that person.

Today I read from Steven K Scott’s book, THE RICHEST MAN WHO EVER LIVED: King Solomon’s secrets to success, wealth and happiness, in preparation for my discussion with my friend over breakfast tomorrow. The chapter is on handling adversity. One piece of that is as follows:

Be quick to forgive.

In Proverbs 10:12 Solomon tells us, “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.” Anytime someone hurts us it gives us a wonderful opportunity to respond with forgiveness, to be kind and loving. There is no act or attribute that is more pleasing to God than that of forgiveness. But it can be exercised only when we have been unjustly offended. That is why we should be truly grateful for even those people who have hurt us the most. The greater the hurt, the better the opportunity for forgiveness. The greater out forgiveness, the more godly our character becomes.

Whoa!!