Life can feel like one crazy rollercoaster ride but, as Christians, God is there with us through all the highs and lows. He is with us every step of the way and gives us peace, comfort and strength to face each new day.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”—(Philippians 4:13).
We are in the Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.
My husband and I are sitting by the bedside of our one-year-old daughter - our tiny miracle who has fought for life every day since her arrival 15 weeks before her due date.
This place is sadly our second home. We are well known to the staff and they have become like family to us.
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well”—(Psalm 139:14 ESV).
This Time Is Different
Monitors are beeping, there are tubes, wires, cables and drips everywhere.
This scene isn’t new to us, we’ve been here many times before, but this time it’s different! Time has been spent at home for a few months with our medically fragile baby.
We’ve started to live as family
Around the bed are five consultants; the atmosphere is tense. Our own consultant hangs his head and shrugs his shoulders in defeat, ‘There is no more we can do’. ‘We are sorry’, one of the doctors says quietly.
The ICU consultant describes the precarious situation, leaving the words ringing in our ears - ‘we are at the edge of the cliff and the tiniest change is going to be the tipping point’.
How could we lose our precious daughter now after having so many near misses before?
Was this our time to say goodbye to all our hopes and dreams for our amazing little girl?
We Prayed
As Christians, one of our first resources in times of trouble is prayer. From the moment our tiny miracle was born we had been humbled and comforted by the number of people who had prayed for us.
We prayed that night, friends prayed, family prayed, people we’d never met prayed, and God heard and answered.
“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me”—(Psalm 50:15 ESV).
Hope
The long night passed, and morning came with a feeling of dread and uncertainty.
The consultants gathered round the bedside discussing the situation. Not much had changed, life was still on the edge.
The situation was still very critical but there was the tiniest improvement in one of the observations on the ventilator.
The change was marginal, but God had once again given us that tiny glimmer of hope to cling onto. Hope is an amazing resource.
When life takes us to the very edge and all seems lost, that is when hope steps in.
“I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness”—(Lamentations 3:21-23 ESV).
The journey to recovery was long and full of many more twists and turns but God was faithful and never left our side, He was there to give us strength and comfort in the darkest moments and helped bring joy to the trial.
Hope was continually realised.
Many may know our story, many won’t, but we have in our home today a true miracle. We have the most amazing girl who has accomplished more than we could have ever hoped for and defied nearly all that we were told by the doctors.
All thanks, honour and glory is given to God. Our story is laced with God’s grace and love. We are truly blessed beyond what we deserve.
No Bed of Roses
As Christians, we are not promised a bed of roses, and raising a child with special needs has certainly not been that (watch out for an article on this topic to be released later), but the same God who was faithful in those early days has continued to be faithful right up to the present day.
He is with us in the small things along with the big.
He is our lifeline on the good days as well as the bad days.
He gives strength when we are weak and feel we can’t go on.
He is our comfort and guide, giving a peace in the midst of the storms and difficulties of life.
He’s only ever a prayer away and his Word, the Bible, is there to guide us through life’s unknown journey.
What a faithful God we have - One who loves us unconditionally and sent His one and only Son to die for us, giving us the assurance of a home in heaven if we trust in Him.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”—(Isaiah 41:10 NIV).
I do not know what lies ahead,
The way I cannot see;
Yet One stands near to be my guide,
He’ll show the way to me.
I know who holds the future,
And He’ll guide me with His hand;
With God things don’t just happen,
Everything by Him is planned.
So as I face tomorrow,
With its problems large and small,
I’ll trust the God of miracles,
Give to Him my all.
I do not know how many days
Of life are mine to spend;
But One who knows and cares for me
Will keep me to the end.
I do not know the course ahead,
What joys and griefs are there;
But One is near who fully knows,
I’ll trust His loving care.
