"Going Through the Fire"

My youngest daughter will face open heart surgery in the next couple of months. If I allow my repressed feelings and emotions out, I admit I just don't want my baby to hurt or be scared as she is in a room full of strangers and can't see me. I want to tell the surgical team that the 'abc song' comforts her. I want to tell them to please think of their own children as they prepare our Savannah Lanier for surgery. I want to tell them to please try to comfort her with love and compassion when she's crying as they place the IV in her arm. What I fear most, is not being with her after strangers take my baby behind closed doors... out of my secure arms and out of my sight. My prayer is not only for Savannah to be overwhelmed with comfort, peace, and minimal discomfort; but, for guidance, knowledge, and sensitivity to overwhelm the surgical team. I pray the "Great Physician" will guide every movement, as the surgical team will literally have my daughter's heart in their hands. 


I am only as happy as my saddest child. I am only as well as my sickest child. I know in my spirit, Savannah will be just fine, actually better and stronger for it! Like anything in life, while going through the "fire", we are more aware of God being at work around us. We feel His comfort and sense His presence. My prayer is while we are in the hospital and thereafter, we can be an encouragement and inspire another like moldable clay in "The Potter's" hands.

I think of the verse:
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O Lord, you are our Father.
We are the clay, and you are the potter.
We all are formed by your hand. (Isaiah 64:8, NIV)

​Sometimes we feel like the undefined lump of clay that the potter drops on the wheel. But the potter knows there is beauty in that lump of clay just waiting to be developed.
Two things need to happen to make the pottery strong and usable. The clay must go through the fire of the kiln to be strengthened and it must be glazed. 


Going through "the fire" and trials of this life that do not feel good, can and will make us stronger! It places us on paths we otherwise wouldn't be on, strategically placing us before individuals that may need a smile, a word of encouragement, or to hear how good our Lord is as we journey through life. This upcoming surgery will forever change us, just like the clay after it's molded and fired, it's no longer the same. 


My prayers, since our prenatal diagnosis, have been that God would heal Savannah's heart. Her heart will be healed! It will be healed through surgery. My prayers will be answered. Savannah will be stronger and healthier. I will continue to trust my "Potter", my "Great Physician". Savannah Lanier is already strong, but she will be even stronger! She is lovely, precious clay that is not only being molded, but is being used to mold me. All of my children inspire me to be better. They inspire me to leave a legacy they can be proud of. I will always fight for them and protect them with my life. They will always know they never have to go through "the fire" alone and together we will come out stronger than before!

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