Precious Hands and Feet

Already missing these precious hands and feet. I have been kissing them all week long and wishing they didn't have to change. It's one of those decisions where, in so many ways, we wish we could just live life as it is because, after all, we love and accept Joel entirely just as he is. He is so happy, so healthy and so sweet right now. He still does not understand his limitations. Yet we do. We know that these surgeries will enhance his quality of life and allow him to do much more than he will otherwise be able to do. For us, we are not facing a cosmetic issue right now-we want our son to reach his full potential and use his hands as much as he can.  We have fallen in love with Joel's little feet and hands though. We have fallen in love with every part of his body. He is fearfully and wonderfully made and more precious than words can say. 

There are so many lessons to be learned from Joel and children like him. Having him in my life has reminded me of how temporary these bodies we live in are and how fast this life will pass. We were created for something so much greater and better. We all have struggles and trials in this life that come in many different shapes and sizes, and everyone grows old and dies. My prayer and hope is that Joel's purpose be about something much greater than this life though.  I believe God will use him to bring hope to people who are lost-hope that only Jesus can give. Hope of freedom from garbage and hardship. Hope of an eternity of joy and love. Please pray that this will be the case. Some verses that touched me this year are Philippians 3:20-21- "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,  who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." Our precious boy may have a problem that is more physically visible to the world around, but the reality is that we all have problems and situations in life that need saving from. And there is Someone who can truly offer hope and peace in the midst of the craziness of a fallen world. Jesus can truly transform. 

Please pray for Joel tomorrow as he undergoes surgery at 7:30. We are so blessed to be surrounded by a loving and supportive family and feel the prayers of so many people. God is good all the time.