"But God has surely listened and has heard my prayer." - Psalm 66:19
It's taken me a few days to find the words to write this post because I haven't been quite sure how to approach it. On Wednesday we received some crazy, unexpected news at Elliot's cardiologist appointment. For those of you who have followed our journey, you know that when Elliot was first born we were told that he would need heart surgery before he was six months old and then at each cardiologist visit that timeline kept getting pushed back. Through it all though, we've been told that surgery is inevitable - that this kind of defect does not resolve on its own.
So when we went in last week we fully expected the same results from the echo, even bracing ourselves for a bigger discussion on what comes next since we were closing in on a year until three years old. But then, his cardiologist started talking about how his holes are closing and his cleft valve isn't leaking. And with a smile on her face she says, "I'm not recommending surgery and I don't think he'll ever need it now." She said she does still want to see him once a year to be cautious, but that his heart is now functioning like a normal heart.
I'm honestly still in a bit of happy shock. From the outset, I've been preparing myself for surgery and praying for healing thinking healing would come through a long, nerve-racking operation. It's not that I don't believe in miracles, but when a doctor tells you your son is going to need surgery eventually, you accept that reality. And when you're told your son isn't going to need surgery after all, you are so thankful, yet so bewildered at the same time.
In my short life as a special needs parent, I've been exposed to a new world. I'm a part of a wonderful online support group for new moms through the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network and in that group alone I've seen moms and their little ones go through open heart surgeries, a leukemia diagnosis, long hospital stays due to RSV and flu, and sadly a couple of losses.
So when I hear, "I'm not recommending surgery," I can't help but think of all the parents that don't hear that, and while deeply grateful, I wonder why God chose to pick our son to bless in this way.
What I've surmised through prayer this week, is that first, God obviously knows way more than any doctor even awesome ones like Elliot's cardiologist who we love! Psalm 147:5 tells us, "Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure." We should never give up hope because God has the final say. You can have the best medical team in the world, but God establishes your steps. I might never understand in this life why God chose to heal our Elliot in this amazing way, but what I do know is that his plan is perfect.
I've also realized that this isn't about Elliot. This is about God's glory being shown. Absolutely God loves Elliot and wants to see him healed, but he loves every child just the same - healthy kids, kids that need surgery, kids who are healed in heaven - God loves each and every one of them completely. So, when God acts in a miraculous way, I think it has way more to do with him showing his power and glory than anything else. Ephesians 3:20-21 says, 'Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
All of that to say, I am beyond words thankful for God's great covering and provision over Elliot's health. God continues to leave me flabbergasted over his care for Elliot. But I have to add, I know that God would have seen Elliot through surgery. I know that God will see Elliot through anything that comes his way. But with every hurdle overcome, miracle given and goal accomplished in Elliot's life, it will always be my prayer that to God to be the glory.
Top photo: Erin Co. Photography
