“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.”
Ian sat in a “normal” chair tonight- a wing back chair that we’ve had in his room. He did really well. It was his first time in nine months not sitting or laying in something weird like a wheelchair or a hospital bed. He wasn’t supported by any straps and he was able to put his feet on the ground. That must’ve felt so good for him.
We noticed however that Ian seemed to be having a challenging day. He gave me two long, deliberate blinks tonight when I asked him if he was discouraged. We don’t know what he’s discouraged about or if he definitely is discouraged. His therapists tonight suggested that as he becomes more awake, he will become more aware of his current disabilities- what a challenging thought that is. I don’t know what all he is able to process and understand or how aware he is of his condition. But he knows who we are, he knows how to hold our hands, he knows how to swallow food- he must be aware that his body is not doing what it used to do. I can’t imagine not being able to do the simplest things for nine months. I think about how limited he is physically and I can understand why he might feel discouraged. What makes this more challenging is that it is not Ian’s character at all to be heavily discouraged by anything. I remember asking him if he wanted to be healed and he said “yes”- he knows that he needs God to heal him.
Only the Lord can encourage Ian. And we are blessed in that Ian is an object of God’s love and mercy, not His wrath. We do not know his specific struggles or needs. And even if we did, we could not satisfy those needs. But the Lord does. This all is for the Lord’s glory and this, this little trial that we face in our thoughts tonight is working for us a greater good and is sanctifying Ian. For Ian to have one glimpse of the Lord’s face tonight would would bless him in a way that none of us could fathom.
Please join us in praying that Ian would deeply experience the Lord’s presence and encouragement tonight. Ian lies tonight in his bed at the foot of the cross, at the mercy of our Lord, in the hands of our savior.
Larissa
anonymous
June 27, 2007 at 2:56 am
My prayer is that God will reveal himself to Ian tonight in a way that he will feel God’s presence and know that he knoews his heart and hears his every prayer. I also pray that God will comfort him and take away the discouraging thoughts….so that Ian can once again raise his hands in praise and worship of our gracious Lord.
anonymous
June 27, 2007 at 11:34 am
Larissa,
Thank you again for reminding us of the constant truth that God alone is our comfort and hope.
Lord, would you pour out your mercy on Ian today and lift up his soul! As You are healing him, Lord please call Ian to fix his heart and mind on You.
anonymous
June 27, 2007 at 11:34 am
Praying today
anonymous
June 27, 2007 at 11:35 am
Thank you Lord that you can speak to Ian by your Spirit and meet him in his need right this minute.I pray that Ian may feel your loving arms around him as he becomes more awake.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV
I pray that both you and Ian will know this peace which surpasses all understanding and that you are
wraped in it at this time.
I read this blog and pray for ALL of you every day God richest bless upon you.
Mike & Leigh
June 28, 2007 at 1:06 am
Larissa,
We are praying for you all. We pray Ian will seek the Lord for strength and encouragement. All things are possible through Him.
Mike & Leigh Dowgiewicz
anonymous
June 28, 2007 at 5:31 am
continuing to pray for you guys daily Praying for you Ian.
mike
Tim
June 28, 2007 at 2:39 pm
I am praying today that Ian would know and experience the comfort and presence of the Holy Spirit, pouring out the love of God in Ian’s heart (Romans 5:1-11). -tim
anonymous
June 28, 2007 at 11:38 pm
On top of all his physical challenges, I can’t bear to think of him feeling discouragement. Having experienced discouragement myself I will pray all the more earnestly for him. What will he be able to tell us when he “wakes” up!