Yes, you read that correctly, Owen is walking...well, running in some cases. ;) Owen began taking a few steps a couple weeks ago and hasn't looked back since. The boy is W.I.L.D.
Walking has been Owen's goal since, well crawling. We have used various techniques and walkers during his physical therapy to aid in walking, but Owen wanted no part of them. He was determined to figure this out on his own. On HIS timing. And, buddy he's got it!
We are so incredibly proud of Owen and so blessed to finally experience this new phase of his life. He is doing so wonderful and although it's always on HIS timing, it's just perfect. :)
Owen's latest adventure of learning to walk has coincidentally spoken to me during my devotional time with The Lord. I've always been taught (an encouraged others as well) about God's perfect timing. And I truly believed that what I learned (and said) that God's timing is perfect, it's not our own and we may not understand it, but He's never late.
Well, I get it. I finally, really get it. My time of suffering, waiting for Owen's birth, 20 months of dialysis, testing for transplant, multiple hospital stays, lab draws, shots, it was excruciating to say the least. I've actually forgotten some of how hard our life was, simply because it's so great now. But there are times that I have flashbacks to specific moments of my life that can take my breath away. I can smell the sterile hospital smell, hear the beeping monitors in my sleep, and yet as quickly as I fall into that dark time, I am brought back by a squeal of laughter from a walking, miracle boy.
I came across this passage in my devotional this week:
"This is the blessed life- not anxious to see far down the road nor overly concerned about the next step, not eager to choose the path nor weighted down with the heavy responsibilities of the future, but quietly following the Shepherd, one step at a time."
John 10:4
When He has brought out all His own, He goes ahead of them.
It hit me. I'm here. This is what I'm living. This, "blessed life". Finally, I am content. After (almost) 3 years of anxiety, suffering, sorrow and worry, I can rest. I am resting in the arms of Jesus like never before. The last few days of my quiet time have been just that: quiet. Not many words spoken, words written or songs sung, just me and The Lord, quiet, together. It is such an overwhelming sense of peace, comfort and contentment I wish I could easily put it into words so you could experience it as well.
He's already been here. The creator of my yesterdays, todays and tommorrows, He's already lived this. He knows my suffering because He has already endured it for me.
HIS timing is so intricately and divinely created that He appointed the moment that I would finally let go, that I would finally see where this suffering has brought me. To a place of peace I could never have imagined. And that I would get it. Just get it. It's been my prayer that Owen's life would touch those that know him, that his story would radiate the blessings of God. That the followers of this blog and friends who have seen how far Owen has come would be blessed and see The Lord's hand through our journey. I just didn't realize how much Owen would change me.
I was so blessed this week to hear the song Hope Now, by Addison Road. I heard this song for this first time shortly after learning of Owen's health issues. It brought me great hope and I praised God through tears while listening to it. Music has always been one of my favorite ways to honor God, but this week the song spoke to my soul in a new way.
If everything comes down to love
Then just what am I afraid of
When I call out Your name
Something inside awakes in my soul
How quickly I forget I'm Yours
I'm not my own
I've been carried by You
All my life
I think that through my suffering, my focus (rightly so) has been on Owen. I can quickly forget that I too, am a child of God and he loves me unconditionally. Again, through tears I realized that this has been so much more than me praying for a miracle to save my son. It's been about saving me, too.
Thank you, friends for your prayers. I know that many of you love Owen and have yet to meet him. Thank you for praying for our family as a whole. You have carried us through many dark times and I praise God for the legacy Owen's life is creating.
Owen recently had some bladder testing done and although we don't know the "official results" we are pretty certain there are no major changes. We meet with our doctor this Friday to discuss the results and changes, if any. Right now we Owen is catheterized every 4 hours, with an in dwelling catheter for 8 hours over night. We are so blessed that because Owen has been cathed since birth, it is a normal part of his routine and does not bother him. Please pray for wisdom for our doctor in making decisions for our sweet boy!
Our littlest man is growing by leaps and bounds. And even through my pleas for time to slow down, he just keeps getting bigger by the day. :) He recently started tasting some solid foods and although he seems to enjoy almost anything, he is loving sweet potatoes and avocados! I've taken on the adventure of making his food and it is turning out to be a blast! He brings so much joy to my heart, he even makes waking up early fun....who could resist his full faced grin and sweet squeal?! :)
Thank you, Lord for entrusting these sweet, sweet boys to my care while on this earth!
Deuteronomy 7:6
"The Lord your God has chosen you....His most treasured possession."
I really enjoyed this post and am happy that you've reached a place of peace after all you've been through. To God be the glory for all He's done in and through you and your sweet boys!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post, and a wonderful reminder to me this morning. You and your family are a wonderful testament to God's love for us!
ReplyDeleteI am always thankful how the Lord speaks to me through your blogs! Thank you for sharing your heart, your sorrows and your joys with us. Your journey with Owen is a living testament of our Lord's faithfulness, His love and His goodness. Rejoicing with you in this milestone for Owen.
ReplyDeleteI will continue to pray for wisdom for the physicians
Melinda
What an inspiring story of your precious child! God is so good!
ReplyDelete