Many of you know that one of my beautiful granddaughters was born with half a heart and has endured multiple surgeries in her six short years of life. One of the procedures has at times been later associated with something called Plastic Bronchitis. I must confess to never having heard of most of the maladies that have befallen her, and this one is no exception. Lymph fluid builds up in the airways of children and forms what are called plugs which block those airways. These plugs are known as casts. If you have ever broken a bone and had a cast put on, you know how tremendously hard they are. 
My granddaughter was in the hospital for pulmonary vein stenosis repair when something new developed. What was forming inside of her was ultimately diagnosed by her mother and her aunt (who is a Physicians Assistant) through their research and determination. This poor child was coughing so hard and what was coming out had the appearance of a small tree (bronchial tube) and was the consistency of string cheese. Had these not been repeatedly forced out, they could have hardened and cut off her air. Through the pleading of her parents, she was eventually blessed to go to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where there is a very adept surgeon familiar with this deadly problem. Thanks to him and much prayer, we still have our little angel.
The word plastic comes from the Greek plastikos (plassein) meaning to mold or form. We have many uses for plastic today. It’s water resistant, light weight and durable in addition to being less expensive than some other materials. But, another definition is artificial, not real or sincere. Thus, we come to our faith. How real is it? Has it been “molded” by what we have heard over the years which we decided just to accept? Are we hung up on ritual at the expense of relationship? Are we inclined to follow our religious leaders blindly without thought or study of our own? Do we wear a cross around our necks because it’s a pretty piece of jewelry or because it reminds us of the real reason for our faith?
The casts in Renley’s body were hardening which threatened to take life from her. Do we allow our faith to become so rote as to become hard and lifeless? Without meaning? Artificial? Do we simply go through the motions by showing up at church at the requisite times, punching the clock and “doing good”? Where’s the life? Has it gone out of your faith? If you don’t know, ask God…
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation…” (Psalm 51:12)
I was so touched by this story and what all little Renley has experienced. Praising God for her precious life and thankful to you for not only sharing but once again showing how all things can help us grow closer to God.
So glad to hear your little granddaughter is well for now. And thanks for giving us such great word pictures thru her story. She needs lots of prayer. 🙏
Remembering back to the beginning of the story of little Renley, it’s hard to realize how much she has been through. Thank you Lord for the people in her life that have helped her through. Thank you Teri, for keeping us up on her health condition. Love you.
Nancy Brody
So thankful for how God placed Renley in your loving family and continues to keep her, while touching many of us through her life. What a great challenge to examine the “realness” of our faith!
I’m so grateful to know Renley’s story through you Teri. God continues to amaze us as SUSTAINER and GRACIOUS LIFEGIVER.
I am always amazed at how God works in our lives. I shouldn’t be, after all, He is God! Little Renley has no idea how her struggles have touched the hearts of many of us over the years of her precious little life. Our prayers, her victories, God’s love. May our merciful and gracious God continue to bless her and her family. Thanks for sharing her story to bring to mind that we should keep our faith alive and genuine, never artificial. Living faith is not made of plastic – it’s made of love.
Thank you Aunt Teri, love you!