I thank my God every time I remember you.
(Philippians 1:3 NIV)
Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth.
(Psalm 54:2 NIV)
By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.
(Psalm 42:8 NIV)
God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.
Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!
(Psalm 66:19-20 NIV)
This afternoon, we’ll be driving four hours to stay near the hospital where we need to check in at 9:15 a.m. tomorrow. Our son is having hip preservation surgery at a children’s hospital, and we expect to stay there for 2–3 days, depending on how he recovers.
This is a significant surgery to correct complications from a SCFE (slipped capital femoral epiphysis) break and procedure he had two years ago. Since then, he’s dealt with ongoing pain and limited mobility. At sixteen, we want to do everything we can to help him live a long, active life and avoid serious issues like a hip replacement in his 20s or 30s. The surgeons we’ve consulted are very optimistic about the outcome, and with the peace and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we’ve chosen to move forward with this next step in his care.
Because I was totally immersed in the arts camp preparation, execution, and follow-up so far this summer, I’m not sure I’ve thought much about the surgery. It’s easy for my thoughts to wander into anxiety or even fear for him, but that’s not what Jesus wants for me. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you,” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV) isn’t just fluff, but a command. The God of the universe cares for us and takes away the anxiety we give to him.
If the “worst” were to happen, I take comfort in knowing without a doubt where my son would spend eternity. But if the “best” happens—as I fully expect—his pain will be greatly lessened, and his mobility greatly improved. The risks we’re taking are known and considered, but they hold the potential for tremendous benefit to his life.
So, I ask you to join me in praying this week for these things, and whatever the Lord leads you to pray for us…
- safety as we travel to a major metropolitan area and navigate unfamiliar streets
- God’s Spirit and wisdom to be upon all medical personnel working with our son
- good rest and sleep in unfamiliar places
- no infections or other complications
- that the Peace of God which passes all understanding would guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus
- protection, wisdom, and guidance for our other sons who are home working jobs and caring for our animals
- an easy adaptation to crutches and careful protection of that non-weight-bearing hip
- an uneventful recovery with full and complete healing with the restoration of his mobility and flexibility in that hip
- patience and grace for our family as we care for him
Thank you, Mountain Moving prayer warriors. We appreciate you!
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30 NIV)