Freedom and Friends

I feel like my title may more appropriately fit for the Fourth of July, but I'm talking about freedom in Christ and sisters in Christ. 

It's been a rough week for us.  Mostly as a pregnant mom of a toddler.  There are by far worse things, of course.  Emilynn developed a rash last week that we finally figured out what it was this week.  But it felt and seemed quite weighty over the past weekend, and google and I were bosom buddies.  Her rash is a syndrome (Gianotti - Crositi syndrome or papular acrodermatitis) that develops after a viral illness... Okay...that sounds doable.  It can last 2 - 8 weeks or longer.  It could be a multitude of viral illnesses that caused this but one possible one is CMV...not good for pregnant women and their unborn babies.  Ahh..deep breaths.  Bottom line, there is nothing that we can do.  More than likely this is not my first exposure to CMV (if in fact it is CMV) because I work at a children's hospital.  And even if it's my first exposure, there is nothing we can do. 

There is nothing that we can do.

Honestly, with all the technology, medicine, modern inventions that we have, it is not very often where we are truly in a  place of NO control on earth.  It's been a great place, though.  In the midst of processing all of these things, I have been dealing with a willful toddler who is finally saying no outloud and often disobeying. 

For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross. 

"What is the joy set before me, Ross?"  The question I asked after coming home on Monday night.  "I mean, the salvation of all people is a pretty big joy...is that my joy?"  Ross replies, "No, it's the same joy as was Jesus'.  It is to see the kingdom come and things be made right."  Yes, it is that.  I do want to see the Kingdom come and things be made right.  Rashes, temper tantrums, the mom lost feeling are all fully worth this JOY!!!

This last week, I have fully recognized my need for salvation daily. Now, I'm not saying this to get into a theological debate.  I believe that when Jesus died on the cross, it was finished.  I have received that grace and believed in Him...it is done.  However, as I was walking out of the hospital the other night, a mom and dad, with a precious little baby girl, were in the midst of crisis.  They were being admitted to the hospital.  And while they looked very put together, fully prepared, and ready from the outside, the mom was sobbing.  She needed to be rescued in that moment...

Maybe not the kind of rescue where someone flees the scene with you in tow, but the kind of rescue where your heart is at peace and you know that the Maker and Creator of heaven, earth, and all things is there meeting you and with you.  He is supplying you with all that you need.  I need that kind of rescue, salvation, often...many moments out of the day. 

One thing I've been super thankful for is the sisters that the Lord uses to help rescue you in those moments.  On Sunday I took Emilynn to church, rash and all.  Ross was on-call.  So I knew we were just going to worship and then leaving becasue I was unsure of the incredible rash and its contagiousness (not contagious, btw).  I'd asked the Lord all morning, "Is it worth it to go to worship???"  But the moment I walked in the door, I spotted a friend, a trusted confidant.  I took one look at her and began to bawl..."Can you pray for us???  Emilynn has a rash..."  She immediately prayed.  When we went into worship another precious friend came and prayed over us several times.  Yes, it was worth it to go to worship and be among the saints...always worth it.

I read the following last night...

"I wallowd in the frustration of my inadequacy until the Lord led me to call a friend.  Not just any friend mind you, but a woman who has permission to walk around in my soul...She gave me grace and tenderly led me to the mercy of Jesus.  With my burden shared, I was stronger.  With my tears dried, I could see clearly.  With someone to run beside, I felt my pace quicken and my energy return."
- Angela Thomas, Tender Mercy for a Mother's Soul

I love those women that have permission to walk around in my soul.  It's beautiful, needed and a place of rest.  I am so thankful for these women in my life.  We need each other...to share the burdens of rashes, temper tantrums, ER visits, potty training, and all that comes with gracefully training our children.  Thank you, Lord, for giving us each other.