April 8, 2008, 6:26 AM

Romans 5:1-5
Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

A dear friend sent this reminder last night. It was timely for I had just gotten off the phone with a very quiet Lauren. Jace was in such pain and was undergoing another blood transfusion, and being just 18 precious days old did not understand why he hurts or why his mommy could not pick him up so he can sleep on her chest hearing her heartbeat. He was been given morphine to calm him, but the little fighter couldn’t/wouldn’t go to sleep, and the heartbreak in my sweet daughter’s voice mimicked my own heartbreak for Lauren, Danny, and Jace and the suffering this world brings.

Lauren and Danny have hope and no regrets and peace that only comes from God, as well as an inkling of the bigger picture God is doing in this difficult situation, but as many of you know, seeing your child suffer so is agonizing. I’ve been praying for God’s Mighty Hand of comfort, peace, and hope to just enfold around them.

Right after they returned to the room yesterday, nurses came by with notes and hugs, many quietly speaking God’s peace. I can get caught up in the ‘bigger picture,’ for I’m not right there seeing Jace’s little tube-riddled body all the time, but that picture of Jace fills their eyes every moment right now. Please pray with me that the Evil One is kept at bay as those niggling thoughts of ‘what ifs’ and ‘why’ come to the surface. I think that in the face of a little child, either healthy or ill, we get a glimpse in our harried, rushed world of the ‘Seen’ just a bit of the enormity of the ‘Unseen’ portion of this universe. Our God Reigns supreme. We need this constant reminder; we all do.

Thank you, dear ones, for your prayers.
Kathy