Tuesday, February 10, 2009

My "Yellow" Friend...

I am always amazed when the Lord speaks to me. When He touches my heart at an unexpecteed time, like in the middle of a busy day, in the middle of the night, or in the middle of a pity party. Today was one of those times. But first let me tell you about my "yellow" friend.

The Lord has blessed me with a church body that I have come to love dearly. When my friend Kaylee's baby was born, the Lord blessed me with the opportunity to care for her and baby Lucy while they were in the hospital. It was such an intimate time for Kaylee, Bryce and little Lucy. Aside from nursing care, we were able to share God's blessings and glory with each other and a new relationship began. This young couple reminds me so much of Thane and I when we were first married and starting our family. It has brought such joy to my heart to be able to support and love them as they grow together in the Lord.

OK, so back to my "yellow" friend...So recently this family has endured much hardship. They have experienced job loss, tough economic circumstances, the challenges of being new parents, and now some serious illness. Bryce has been battling jaundice, abdominal pain, surgery and now pancreatitis. He has been seriously ill now for about five weeks, in and out of the hospital, trying to make medical decisions while trying to avoid further financial stress...all of it has been painful to watch, let alone endure. This family has been on my heart day and night. I begin and end my prayers lifting them up, praying for healing, for comfort and for provision.

So last night, after another procedure for Bryce, he headed home to get some rest at the end of a long ordeal that was suppose to mark the end of his treatment. The only problem was he got sick again. So after returning to the hospital, he was admitted in an effort to control his pain and improve his jaundice (aka "yellowness"). So when my day at work ended and I was feeling particularly sorry for myself, because I was tired, have a cold, have a sick kid, had a stressful day...waa, waa, waa...I headed up to Bryce's room to visit my friend. What I found in that hospital room was amazing, inspiring and a gift from God.

When I walked in Bryce greeted me with a smile, Kaylee was at his side smiling too. "Thank you so much", he said, "for letting us call you in the middle of the night." I asked how he was feeling and about the doctors plans for him. I told him how sorry I was for him and for all he was enduring. As I knelt by his bedside the most amazing thing happened. He started telling about the opportunities he had been given to share the love of Christ. Conversations with nurses and hospital staff centered around the faithfulness and love of our Savior. He also shared with me the strength and endurance he gains from Christ, and how he stands firm in the knowledge that this experience is part of his refining and growth. But the part that was for me, a message from my Savior, was when Bryce said, "You never know what it means to have God, until all you have is God." Wow...did I mention my "yellow" friend is 22!

Through tearful eyes I asked Bryce and Kaylee if we could pray together. Together, we asked for the Lord's healing, comfort, peace and most importantly we asked for this experience to bring glory to our Savior. Because that is truly Bryce's heart. How inspiring is that? My "yellow" friend glows with the radiance of Christ from his hospital bed. And today the Lord used him to speak to my heart, and for many other things I am sure. So, thank you Jesus, for my friend, for trials and for your unending love for me!

3 comments:

  1. Oh man! I need to quit reading your blog at work!! Thank you, Jesus for the great people you have placed in Becky's life.

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  2. AWW! It is amazing how incredibly strong they are in their faith. BTW...Griffin and I were in the walk-in clinic today. We were walking the halls waiting for our turn (for over 2 hours!) and peeked at a door witha window and saw...YOU! We said our silent hello and prayed you endured your meeting!!!
    ~Kris

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  3. Such a beautiful testimony to God's love and nurturing. What can I do on the East Coast to help?
    Love, Mom

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