Seeing His Glory
Well hello, friends. It's been a while. Too long of a while, actually. I've had great intentions and then that pesky thing people call "extra time" eludes me. But I was so struck by something this past Mother's Day weekend that I decided I needed to MAKE time to sit down and write about it.
The months of April and May have always been a bit emotional for me ever since Miss Peyton was born. Her original due date was April 24, 2004...four days after my birthday. I remember being so excited about the possibility of us sharing a birthday. But instead, she was born on May 8, 2004. Huge. With a birth injury to boot. I remember spending my first Mother's Day in the hospital, with some people bringing by flowers and all the nurses oohing and aahing about how special it was to have become a new mom just hours before MOTHER'S DAY. Peyton was a pretty special gift.
As the years have gone on and we've learned more and more how her birth injury is still affecting her {and most likely will for the rest of her life}, I've found myself running through so many different emotions as we enter the month of April. I flashback to my OB visits and expressing concern at each one about having a large baby (due to family history). I've been hard on myself looking back, thinking in my mind, "If only I'd been more insistent or assertive with the doctor...", or, "Why didn't I better educate myself? Maybe I could've prevented this from happening to Peyton...". So many things swirl around my head leading up to her actual birthday. I've never shared this with anyone before, but the eve before her birthday, I find myself restless, waking to look at the clock and rewinding to what I could've done differently in the delivery room as the hours slowly ticked by during her delivery...why wasn't that a clue to me that something was wrong? And why didn't I have enough sense to DEMAND better for myself and for Peyton? This year, on the eve of Peyton's birthday she got up to use the bathroom in the night and as I tucked her back in, I happened to glance at the clock. It was 1:23am...the exact time she was born. And I lost it. I sat on the floor in the hallway sobbing until I was finally able to gather myself up and return to bed.
Needless to say, I've carried a lot of "mom guilt" around with me for many years. And in my head and heart, I KNOW that I was a first time mom who trusted a trained medical professional. I KNOW there was really nothing else I could've done given my inexperience as a first-time-mom-to-be. And I KNOW that God allowed our circumstances to happen for a reason. Even if some days it rips my heart out seeing Peyton struggle.
Last Sunday we were at our cabin church {Crossroads Christian Church} for Mother's Day. And just a little sidebar here, I am so very thankful God led us to this little church tucked away out in the middle of no-where western Wisconsin. They've really helped get us through some tough stuff since we started to attend there on the weekends we head "up north". We're beyond grateful for this quaint congregation and it's been exciting to see God using them! Anyway, Pastor Tryg has been preaching through the Beattitudes and he started out by apologizing that this Sunday's passage happened to be on the topic of "Mourning"...not exactly what you think of when you think of Mother's Day. As he began his sermon, he said, "Hopefully there's at least one person here who needs to hear this, though". Throughout his sermon, he apologized for the seemingly heavy topic that was being covered. But I've gotta tell ya, as I sat and listened, it was as if a light bulb turned on for me and a heavy weight was lifted. He talked about how God sometimes allows things to happen in our lives that we can't understand or that don't make sense...and we mourn. But it's in those times, when we're spiritually broken that God meets us where we're at and works in us. I felt like standing up on my chair and yelling "AMEN!!!" when he said that. But being the good 'lil reserved baptist girl I was raised to be, I sat silently in my chair {in my defense, I was sitting in the FRONT row...out of character for us "back-row baptists"}.
Over the years, I've felt as though I've been mourning as a mom. Mourning all the "typical" things Peyton will never experience or be able to do. Mourning how others view Peyton. Mourning the friendships she'll never have. Mourning all that could've been for Peyton. And the older she gets, the mourning has gotten less intense, but it's still there, kind of like a dull, nagging headache...only in my heart. Some days it hits me much harder than others.
Back to the sermon, a few minutes later Pastor Tryg read a verse that I'd heard before, but never considered in the context of my/our situation. He read I Peter 4:12...and I read on through verse 13:
I've lived my whole life doing what was right. And I have often reflected on what a boring testimony I have...I grew up in the church with a great family, always obeyed the rules, stayed on-track through high school and college, was involved with Christian organizations throughout college, married a Christian man and have been actively involved in supporting not only the local church(es) we've been a part of, but also many other Christian ministries around the globe. At a very young age I recognized that I was broken and the only thing that could make me whole was the saving grace of Jesus Christ. I've never fallen "off the path". God has been good to me. Yet sometimes I hear others share their testimonies of going off the "deep end", so far from knowing God, then through unimaginable circumstances, they found the Lord and their lives have never been the same. In the past, hearing those types of testimonies has made me feel like a pretty boring Christian...kind of like the "tortoise" in the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. Slow and steady, walking this Christian life.
So why would God allow something like this to happen to Peyton and to our family? WHY? Well this verse finally made everything make sense. Although I've been mourning for many years, I am starting to realize that we're now in the phase of seeing "His glory revealed" through Peyton. I'm sure people get tired of hearing me share stuff about her, but honestly you guys, we are seeing things happen through her that we never would've considered a possibility or never would've had the opportunity to be a part of if it weren't for her...and her birth injury. God wasn't surprised when Peyton suffered her birth injury. We may have been thrown for a loop, but God most certainly wasn't surprised.
More and more lately, our eyes are being opened to all that we would've missed out on if it weren't for her. Do you have any idea how many people she's invited to church or prayed for? Do you have any idea how many people our family has been loved and supported by because of her? Do you have any idea how many people have felt a sense of accomplishment/inspiration and purpose because of working/interacting with her? Do you have any idea how many kids have finally found a friend who will love unconditionally because of her? Do you have any idea how many other special needs families we've had the privilege of meeting and walking alongside because of her?
Seriously, God is working. And His glorious plan is being unveiled. I'm confident of that.
Another verse that struck me in Pastor Tryg's sermon was Romans 12:15. This one made me tear up:
I can't tell you what joy there is in being able to rejoice with other families who have encountered similar circumstances as us. And also, to mourn with them on their difficult days. There is no greater feeling of loneliness than trying to walk this special needs journey alone, let me tell ya. While friends with typical kids pour their heart and soul into trying to understand what we're experiencing, only those with a special needs child of their own know the true heartache as we see our kids struggle...and the monumental excitement when our kids accomplish even the most miniscule things. There have been many tears shed in the local coffee shop, sitting and sharing obstacles and accomplishments with other moms I've connected with through Peyton...this is Romans 12:15 in action!
Thinking back on these past 11 years since Peyton was born, it's struck me how different our life would be today if she'd been born without her birth injury. And yes, part of me {selfishly} goes right to the insane amount of money we've spent on appointments with a wide-range of specialists over the years, the on-going therapy appointments, the special equipment Peyton needed early on, and all the time we've invested sitting in waiting rooms. But then I sit and think of all the incredible people we have met, all the amazing friendships that have been established, and all the people who feel valued and loved...because of Peyton. Well that right there is about enough to make me burst into the dreaded ugly cry.
While "mourning" on Mother's Day isn't what you typically picture or imagine, sometimes we need to mourn in order to see what God is truly doing through whatever circumstances He's placed in our lives. Like me, it could take years to get to the point where your mourning is replaced with thanksgiving and a sense of overwhelming gratitude for all God's done in your life. But if we seek Him and trust that through everything, His plan is at work, we'll eventually see His glory revealed. And I have a feeling we'll be seeing that glory revealed for many years to come with Miss Peyton.
God is good. All the time. And it's through our mourning, He reveals His glory. Remember that.
The months of April and May have always been a bit emotional for me ever since Miss Peyton was born. Her original due date was April 24, 2004...four days after my birthday. I remember being so excited about the possibility of us sharing a birthday. But instead, she was born on May 8, 2004. Huge. With a birth injury to boot. I remember spending my first Mother's Day in the hospital, with some people bringing by flowers and all the nurses oohing and aahing about how special it was to have become a new mom just hours before MOTHER'S DAY. Peyton was a pretty special gift.
As the years have gone on and we've learned more and more how her birth injury is still affecting her {and most likely will for the rest of her life}, I've found myself running through so many different emotions as we enter the month of April. I flashback to my OB visits and expressing concern at each one about having a large baby (due to family history). I've been hard on myself looking back, thinking in my mind, "If only I'd been more insistent or assertive with the doctor...", or, "Why didn't I better educate myself? Maybe I could've prevented this from happening to Peyton...". So many things swirl around my head leading up to her actual birthday. I've never shared this with anyone before, but the eve before her birthday, I find myself restless, waking to look at the clock and rewinding to what I could've done differently in the delivery room as the hours slowly ticked by during her delivery...why wasn't that a clue to me that something was wrong? And why didn't I have enough sense to DEMAND better for myself and for Peyton? This year, on the eve of Peyton's birthday she got up to use the bathroom in the night and as I tucked her back in, I happened to glance at the clock. It was 1:23am...the exact time she was born. And I lost it. I sat on the floor in the hallway sobbing until I was finally able to gather myself up and return to bed.
Needless to say, I've carried a lot of "mom guilt" around with me for many years. And in my head and heart, I KNOW that I was a first time mom who trusted a trained medical professional. I KNOW there was really nothing else I could've done given my inexperience as a first-time-mom-to-be. And I KNOW that God allowed our circumstances to happen for a reason. Even if some days it rips my heart out seeing Peyton struggle.
Last Sunday we were at our cabin church {Crossroads Christian Church} for Mother's Day. And just a little sidebar here, I am so very thankful God led us to this little church tucked away out in the middle of no-where western Wisconsin. They've really helped get us through some tough stuff since we started to attend there on the weekends we head "up north". We're beyond grateful for this quaint congregation and it's been exciting to see God using them! Anyway, Pastor Tryg has been preaching through the Beattitudes and he started out by apologizing that this Sunday's passage happened to be on the topic of "Mourning"...not exactly what you think of when you think of Mother's Day. As he began his sermon, he said, "Hopefully there's at least one person here who needs to hear this, though". Throughout his sermon, he apologized for the seemingly heavy topic that was being covered. But I've gotta tell ya, as I sat and listened, it was as if a light bulb turned on for me and a heavy weight was lifted. He talked about how God sometimes allows things to happen in our lives that we can't understand or that don't make sense...and we mourn. But it's in those times, when we're spiritually broken that God meets us where we're at and works in us. I felt like standing up on my chair and yelling "AMEN!!!" when he said that. But being the good 'lil reserved baptist girl I was raised to be, I sat silently in my chair {in my defense, I was sitting in the FRONT row...out of character for us "back-row baptists"}.
Over the years, I've felt as though I've been mourning as a mom. Mourning all the "typical" things Peyton will never experience or be able to do. Mourning how others view Peyton. Mourning the friendships she'll never have. Mourning all that could've been for Peyton. And the older she gets, the mourning has gotten less intense, but it's still there, kind of like a dull, nagging headache...only in my heart. Some days it hits me much harder than others.
Back to the sermon, a few minutes later Pastor Tryg read a verse that I'd heard before, but never considered in the context of my/our situation. He read I Peter 4:12...and I read on through verse 13:
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."
I've lived my whole life doing what was right. And I have often reflected on what a boring testimony I have...I grew up in the church with a great family, always obeyed the rules, stayed on-track through high school and college, was involved with Christian organizations throughout college, married a Christian man and have been actively involved in supporting not only the local church(es) we've been a part of, but also many other Christian ministries around the globe. At a very young age I recognized that I was broken and the only thing that could make me whole was the saving grace of Jesus Christ. I've never fallen "off the path". God has been good to me. Yet sometimes I hear others share their testimonies of going off the "deep end", so far from knowing God, then through unimaginable circumstances, they found the Lord and their lives have never been the same. In the past, hearing those types of testimonies has made me feel like a pretty boring Christian...kind of like the "tortoise" in the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. Slow and steady, walking this Christian life.
So why would God allow something like this to happen to Peyton and to our family? WHY? Well this verse finally made everything make sense. Although I've been mourning for many years, I am starting to realize that we're now in the phase of seeing "His glory revealed" through Peyton. I'm sure people get tired of hearing me share stuff about her, but honestly you guys, we are seeing things happen through her that we never would've considered a possibility or never would've had the opportunity to be a part of if it weren't for her...and her birth injury. God wasn't surprised when Peyton suffered her birth injury. We may have been thrown for a loop, but God most certainly wasn't surprised.
More and more lately, our eyes are being opened to all that we would've missed out on if it weren't for her. Do you have any idea how many people she's invited to church or prayed for? Do you have any idea how many people our family has been loved and supported by because of her? Do you have any idea how many people have felt a sense of accomplishment/inspiration and purpose because of working/interacting with her? Do you have any idea how many kids have finally found a friend who will love unconditionally because of her? Do you have any idea how many other special needs families we've had the privilege of meeting and walking alongside because of her?
Seriously, God is working. And His glorious plan is being unveiled. I'm confident of that.
Another verse that struck me in Pastor Tryg's sermon was Romans 12:15. This one made me tear up:
"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
I can't tell you what joy there is in being able to rejoice with other families who have encountered similar circumstances as us. And also, to mourn with them on their difficult days. There is no greater feeling of loneliness than trying to walk this special needs journey alone, let me tell ya. While friends with typical kids pour their heart and soul into trying to understand what we're experiencing, only those with a special needs child of their own know the true heartache as we see our kids struggle...and the monumental excitement when our kids accomplish even the most miniscule things. There have been many tears shed in the local coffee shop, sitting and sharing obstacles and accomplishments with other moms I've connected with through Peyton...this is Romans 12:15 in action!
Thinking back on these past 11 years since Peyton was born, it's struck me how different our life would be today if she'd been born without her birth injury. And yes, part of me {selfishly} goes right to the insane amount of money we've spent on appointments with a wide-range of specialists over the years, the on-going therapy appointments, the special equipment Peyton needed early on, and all the time we've invested sitting in waiting rooms. But then I sit and think of all the incredible people we have met, all the amazing friendships that have been established, and all the people who feel valued and loved...because of Peyton. Well that right there is about enough to make me burst into the dreaded ugly cry.
While "mourning" on Mother's Day isn't what you typically picture or imagine, sometimes we need to mourn in order to see what God is truly doing through whatever circumstances He's placed in our lives. Like me, it could take years to get to the point where your mourning is replaced with thanksgiving and a sense of overwhelming gratitude for all God's done in your life. But if we seek Him and trust that through everything, His plan is at work, we'll eventually see His glory revealed. And I have a feeling we'll be seeing that glory revealed for many years to come with Miss Peyton.
God is good. All the time. And it's through our mourning, He reveals His glory. Remember that.
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