I still remember how my hands shook when I gave him that first shot in his hospital bed. “Are you ok?” I would whisper that first time and for months after. And then his follow-up question after I finished up, “How many more shots will I need, Mom?”
5 years. Eli was only in kindergarten. How can I put into words the journey we have been on? A little boy and now a bright young man. A deep relationship forged between mother and son, father and son, and his two older brothers and a little sister. Waking up countless times in the night will strengthen those bonds. He has a rock solid faith in his Savior. Overcoming fear and hardship will grow that in a soul.
We endured so much. Eli lost his vision for 6 crushing weeks. My husband was serving as an associate pastor of our long-time church and they couldn’t wrap their minds around what we were going through. We were turned away, so we left, grieving, and then prayerfully decided to move across the country for a fresh new start. God opened up that door by selling our home in just one day! We found a new church home and settled in, holding our breath. We weren’t the same people we had been just one year before.
We thrived. A new school and a new home. Settling into our new life in another state and with this big thing called “Type 1 Diabetes.” My husband was asked to take on a pastor role at our new church. At the same time, the school my four children now attend asked me to take on a 3rd grade classroom. I am able to teach and be right there when Eli needs me. (And yes, he sometimes still does!)
Each and every bit that we have lost in our suffering God has graciously restored, confirmed, strengthened and established. 1 Peter 5:10
5 years. Deep breath. This is our straight A+ student, basketball playing, Bible Study leading, speech giver (currently self-learning guitar over Christmas break, lol). We love him to pieces. We are so very proud of him. He isn’t who he was 5 years ago, and that’s a wonderful thing.
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| "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." 1 Peter 5:10 |
