Thanksgiving Challenge ~ Day #29
Topic: Noelle
Title: Reflux
{If you are new to this challenge, you can catch up on the details here }
As we approach the end of this week and the end of this particular challenge, I look back and truly see a work of God in my heart. I must admit that most of the subject items each day have been easy things for which to be thankful. There have been a few sprinkled through the month that have been challenges, but even those do not seem so difficult in light of the worst things we have experienced over the course of the previous fifteen months. But as Noelle had another reflux flare-up this past week, I realized this was one particular issue for which I had not ever chosen to be thankful. In fact, I have despised it. The hiccups, coughing, and throwing up copious amounts of her feedings have frustrated and discouraged me, leaving me in tears on more than one occasion.
In everything give thanks. The command from I Thessalonians pricks my conscience and echoes through my mind like the resounding notes of gently plucked harp strings. The context is not lost on me as I ponder the words, for it is is preceded by the directives to
rejoice evermore and
pray without ceasing and followed with the reminder that this is God's will in Christ Jesus
. I cannot give thanks in my own strength; it must come from Him. Many sermons on this passage have met my ears through the years, but I need yet another reminder of the true meaning behind the words. Upon some closer examination, the text becomes more convicting as the individual words come into focus and then meld with their surrounding context. Consulting of definitions and commentaries, while perhaps providing further detail, reveals that it is truly "that simple." Each word is literal in its meaning, and we are to give.thanks.in.everything. Even reflux. So as my mind chooses to obey the command and urges my heart to follow suit, I find myself praying tonight with a thankful heart for reflux. But now it is no longer the issue of reflux. No, God has uncovered the pride in my heart, shining light on this area in my life that needs such change. While it is a lesson that my sinful self will need to be reminded of again {as this is already not the first time}, I am thankful tonight that my God is ever loving and patient to use this challenge to teach me that I must
in everything, give thanks.
such a convicting post! i can't say i was always thankful for Isaac's reflux either...which was overwhelming amounts until 15 months....lots more laundry, lots more messes. we went through so many testings and food trials to figure out the culprit...which we never actually did. :) but i know in all these things, God continues to bring me to the end of myself to realize i can't do anything on my own...i need Him every moment of every day to clean up one more mess. it's amazing these little preemies gain any weight with the reflux amounts!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! I am not surprised that she struggles so much to gain weight at times...it is so incredibly frustrating, if I allow it to be...especially after days in a row of losing weight. I think people thought I was exaggerating at first on the amount, but I really was not...it is incredible amounts of spit up, and you're right...it seems that no amount of changing anything solves it (it might get better for a time, but nothing fully takes it away). It's especially aggravating/stressful since we've concluded that it was probably the culprit for elevating her pulmonary hypertension and BPD in June to the point of heart failure and spending those 18 days in the hospital again. I'm hoping she will transition more to solids soon to help the issue, but she does not seem to be in any rush to do that, so it seems we are a ways off from that. I have to come back to this post often and remind myself...it is sometimes a moment by moment speaking of truth to myself. Thanks for your sweet comment...it's always nice to remember that you've been there and understand.
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