Memories

Originally published July 14, 2011

I walked with a friend today who witnessed her child having a seizure for the first (and hopefully only) time.  It brought back alot of memories for me.  The panic, the fear, the ER visit, worried friends and family, and all the tests.  My heart went out to her.  She kept saying to me, “I don’t know how you do this”.  But experiencing one for the first time is an entirely different world than the world I live in.  It was a million times harder for her today than it is for me when Shelby has a seizure.  The main difference is familiarity.  I am quite accustomed to seeing seizures.  I still hate them and the havoc they wreck on Shelby and our family, but the extreme panic and fear are no longer there.  Unfortunately, after only one seizure, it is often times impossible to pinpoint the reason for the episode or predict whether or not it will happen again.  The anxiety can be excruciating.  We may not know what will happen tomorrow, but we can count on the promises of God.  “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8  

My first prayer for this little girl is that she would be well and that she would never experience another seizure.  But even for Shelby I have the hope and promise of wholeness.  “For I will restore you to health and I will heal you of your wounds,’ declares the Lord,” Jeremiah 30:17a  If not in this life, then in the next, her brain will work exactly like it should.  She will be able to dance in the presence of Jesus and sing and shout her praises.  And I will be there to witness it.  Oh glorious day!  

My second prayer for my sweet friends is rest.  Emotions are high.  Bodies running on adrenaline have trouble relaxing.  But God can comfort and bring tranquility where there was turmoil.  My prayer tonight for all my friends dealing with seizures is Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”