Monday

Open the Eyes of my heart, Lord ~my prayer in the midst of my writer's block...

So...it's been awhile since I have written a blog post.  Sorry for the neglect...well...actually it started with a major writer's block. One that I am afraid was begun in fear.


Fear of a writing project I have been asked to be a part of...nothing really huge, mind you, just a chapter in a book. We, I and several other women, are writing to encourage  Mom's who may be in the midst of raising a special needs child. I have some personal experience in this area. You see, my  son has a very rare migraine condition called Sporadic Hemiplegic Migraines (SHM).

  SHM is a condition that has caused my son, Brad, to suffer two traumatic brain events...a stroke at the age of thirteen (February 1999) and again at the age of twenty two (July 2007), his migraine led to non-stop seizures which put him in danger of permanent brain damage if they could not stop the seizures. So they basically put him into a medicinally induced coma. Brad was in the Neurocritical Care Unit of Johns Hopkins University Hospital for 16 days!

Both events, in '99 and '07, resulted in multiple hospital transfers, multiple days in ICU's/ Neurocritical Care Units, and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals. Those days were followed by  many months of physical, speech, and occupational  out- patient therapies. Immediately after each of these events Brad was unable to do anything...talk, walk, speak, read, write, simple math, recognition of coins, basic care skills, basic social skills, ALL had to be relearned.  I jokingly tell people that I have raised our one son three times.  In reality it's not a joke but a big part of the story of my son's life...and mine, as well as every member of our family. 

In many of my blog posts, to this point, I have shared life lessons that God has taught me from simple things...such as the antics of my puppy or the beauty of nature or just lessons from life in general.  But I haven't written about our experiences with our son, Brad, who, by the way, is doing quite well now...despite the fact that we are still working through some of his cognitive impairment from his last event. To be honest I know that God has much for me to share about what He has taught me through our son's ordeals. It is just so hard sometimes to put into words on a page. Somehow it goes deep to the core of my being and tears begin to flow. 

God IS so very good and has walked with us every step of the way.  I believe that He has now given me the direction that my writing should take...sharing the blessings through the trials.

 God has a plan and a purpose for my son's life...for my life.  The plans that formulated in my heart as a young, married, soon to be mother so many years ago have taken a dramatic turn.  I would have thought by now my son would have graduated from college, be established in the profession of his (and Gods) choice, and married with one or two children of his own.  His own dream since he was 9 years old was to be a Minister, married, and have children by the time he had reached his present age.   Many times I have prayed,  "LORD, why...why have you not given him his heart's desire...surely they line up with your will?!" Just when I think none of it makes any sense God gives me glimpses of His purpose, His glory on the mountain tops, He shows me light on this valley floor. And I am once again comforted and filled with the peace that passes understanding...HIS peace.

Am I saying that God actually chose to inflict my son with this awful condition? No. We live in a fallen world that displays the result of sin. Ever since the fall in the Garden of Eden, things have been going downhill. Everything has been affected by that choice made so long ago.  What I am saying is that God, for whatever reason, has allowed this to come to pass and He has and is going to bring about His glory and His good for Brad and our family. His word promises that " in all things God works for the good of those who love Him , who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28. I trust that God is working this out.  My son loves the Lord and has been called! I just have to let go and let God work out His plan.  I have to follow His footprints, His path, for our lives.  

How does this letting go look in your own life?  You don't have to go through something so traumatic as what I have just shared in order to see the path God has for you! 

"Sometimes we have to let go of our dreams in order for His dreams to come to fruition. Are we so busy planning out how our lives should go, our dreams, our purpose, that we miss His purpose for our life? I submit that you won't be fulfilled until you relinquish those dreams to the God who created you for His purpose!" ~ Gay Idle

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance." Ephesians 1:18


9 comments:

  1. Hey Gay....so blessed to have met you this morning through the world of blogging! Amazing isn't it!

    You shared your journey with your son with such openess....You really blessed my heart. I've never walked the path you are walking but thank God that whatever we are walking through, He's faithful to walk with us each step of the way and carry us through. I loved the way you said ..."God gives me glimpses of His purpose, His glory on the mountaintops, He shows me light on this valley floor". I really needed to "hear" those words this morning....Thank you!

    I'm adding your son and your family to my prayer list!

    HE IS FAITHFUL!

    Hugs and Blessings my new friend!
    Jackie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh and I almost forgot.....I'm your newest blog follower and I'm following you on Pinterest too! :)))

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Jackie! Thank you so much for your encouraging words! I hope to get my latest blog written today with a posting of your beautiful poem. My mom was a writer(mostly poetry) and your poem was a sweet reminder for me. You are gifted my new friend!
    blessings,
    Gay

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'll try this again- went to publish and it disappeared :(
    Gay, I've learned one thing about letting go- whether it's people, places, desires, dreams, positions- whatever; (especially my children) it's that if I'm afraid to let go it's because I need to let go. He's asking me to let go and when I do it's not without weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth on my part- but when I do let go I get so much more back it's indescribable. In your son's and your sphere of influence there may be that one specific person in that one specific place at that specific time that the Holy Spirit will use you to connect with- what a privilege to be the connector for one more soul to enter Heaven rejoicing. Your writing reveals your bravery in the midst of the turmoil! Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you Nancy! So sorry about the posting struggle...I have it set so that I have to approve the comments before they show up. I received it in triplicate. ;-) God has used my son through the years and the struggles to make some pretty amazing connections...one such connection was in introducing several of his speach therapists to God...in a pretty cool way. I will save that story for another blog post! ;-) Keep pressing on! Thanks you for the encouragement!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Our simplest stories are our greatest witnesses to God's Grace. Jesus' stories never had sequels!

    But the praises that pour out of our hearts with the pure richness of spiritual pancake syrup onto the rich offering of our tales to God inevitably deliver a delicious story of God's true and amazing Grace to us and glorifies Him absolutely and totally!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am in complete agreement with your sentiments, Anon. Thank you so very much for stopping by and leaving some comment <3.
      blessings,
      Gay

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Thanks for coming over to read this Jennifer! I hope that it has encouraged you on your own journey! I am so happy that we have connected! God is so very good!
      blessings,
      Gay

      Delete

Join the discussion! I'd love to hear your thoughts!

blessings,
Gay