Those of you who faithfully read this blog already know about my granddaughter, Renley Hope. Nine years ago she was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, which basically means she was born with half a heart. Over her short lifetime she has had numerous illnesses, appointments, tests, procedures, surgeries and lengthy hospital stays.
One of her many surgeries was performed more than once out of their home state for something called Plastic Bronchitis. It was done in the hopes of preventing the formation of a string cheese-like substance in her bronchial tubes. Known as casts, these must be coughed up or they can harden (like a cast) which cuts off the airways. Ridding her body of these takes a great deal of effort on her part and, needless to say, would be hard on your heart and mine, but imagine the pressure it puts on only half a heart.
As humans we often think of ourselves as gods in control of our own lives. We attempt this to make ourselves feel as comfortable as possible. On the off chance that we feel lost or out of control, we go to God (or some to a “higher power”) with our lengthy list of how we think things should be and then we reiterate it as if we were the administrator of a grand estate, and we were assigning jobs to our servants. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests (not demands) to God.” 
But, of course, we know best…
When you watch a sporting event, there is (a tie, notwithstanding) most often a winner and a loser. I may cheer for the Bears and you may do the same for the Cowboys, but inevitably one side will walk away with the W.
Our beloved grandchild has just been placed on a list for a heart transplant. As a family, we pray and we wait. But, in order for a heart to become available someone else will have to lose a child or grandchild. How can I ask for such a thing?
It makes me grateful that I am not God.
And, thus, with words stuck in my throat (reminding me of Renley’s casts), I come to God on bended knee.
“And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words…” (Romans 8:26)
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are My ways your ways, declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8)
“I am the Lord and there is no other…” ( Isaiah 45:5)
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Praying with you and your family….❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
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There are situations beyond us but they become great challenges to our prayer life. God does understand. Hugs and love to you and your family.
Glad It’s up to Him. Praying for her and your whole family!
Praying, Teri! Thanks for sharing your heart again. 🙏❤
Prayers!
I’m at a loss for words in my prayer life for Renley. Thankfully, we have a helper who aids in our weakness. Paul assures us with these words.. “For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26, ESV). Our Heavenly Father hears our cries for healing and His will ultimately will be done.
Teri,
Stephanie kindly shared your blog posting and I can not begin to thank you for writing down the words I could not muster. That was beautiful. I too pray for the family whose child loses a whole, beautiful heart that God made with such tenderness and perfection.
“For this reason, I bow my knees before the father, from whom every family in heaven, and on earth is named, that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ made dwell in your hearts through faith– that you, being rooted and grounded, in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints, what is the breath and length, and height, and depth, and to know the love of Christ, that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled with all of the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:14-19
In His love,
Christi
I love her middle name. Right now, as we pray, we pray with hopeful hearts.
this is so deeply stated and we stand with you, praying God’s grace & mercy!