The story of Jehoshaphat feels like mine today. In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah are being attacked by not one but three armies at once. As he cries out to God in verses 6-12, I think I could paraphrase his cry into my own.
O Lord, God of our father, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. ... But now we are being assaulted on multiple fronts. See how they are attacking us and defeating your daughter that you gave to us? O our God, will you not stop them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you. As the enemy bore down upon Judah, God spoke through a man, saying, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. . . . Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you" (vs. 15, 17). So King Jehoshaphat led the people into battle with men at the head of the army singing to the Lord and praising him for the splendor of his holiness. And you know what God did? He ambushed the enemies. They destroyed each other. "And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side" (v.30). Katie is being attacked from multiple angles. Her body is trying to fight a lot of assaults at one time. We have been thrilled with the care and the collaboration of the medical teams since we've been here at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. This morning during rounds, we had physicians from infectious disease, hematology, oncology, pulmonology, and intensive care speaking into the treatment plan for Katie. Evidence that she's still a very sick girl, but also evidence of God's common grace that He is showering on us and a way that He is bringing us peace and rest during this time. We know that this battle is the Lord's in whatever way He wants to win it. The pediatrics ICU doctors say Katie is stable and in a good position right now. She has completed her first round of chemo for the relapsed cancer and her counts are dropping as it is working. She is receiving multiple antibiotics to act as her immune system and to fight the infection taking up residence in her lungs. The chest tube is also continuing to pull fluid out of her lungs. She will likely be receiving blood and platelet transfusions in coming days as her counts drop. On the upside, she has been without a fever for over 36 hours now and her chest x-rays look a little bit better each day. As she improves, she will require less support for her breathing and nutrition. We deeply appreciate your prayers and love. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord (v. 4) just as you are doing. We are expecting God to ambush our enemies. We are hopeful now. We are going to take our positions, stand firm and watch for deliverance. We do not know what to do but our eyes are on upon you, Lord. Specific prayer requests: - Katie's immune system to be able to fight off this infection - The oncology team to formulate the perfect plan for her cancer treatment - The expected weaning of breathing support and her ability to tolerate that - The myriad of other small attacks on her body through the course of this - The other kids who struggle to understand and really just want us to be home Blessings, Sarah and Chad and Katie and the gang
22 Comments
Jeanne Helmick
4/21/2017 04:59:06 pm
Chad and Sarah. Please know that Lyle and I are standing with you and your whole famaily Our God is a mighty God and Love each of us Know that you are in our prayers daily and that we believe in His healing power. Love to all
Reply
JACQUELINE FERGUSON
4/21/2017 05:39:46 pm
Dear Sarah and Chad I am Praying for you and your family. I am Praying for complete Healing in the Name of Jesus. I will put Katie's Name in Prayer with the Prayer Warrior's Group that I am in and also my church. God Bless You! Sending My Prayers and My love to you and your family.
Reply
Teresa King
4/21/2017 06:09:56 pm
Continued prayers for Katie. Praying for strength for all of the family. Thank you for the updates.
Reply
Tom & Leslie White
4/21/2017 06:10:37 pm
our prayers continue.
Reply
Joe and Katrina Harmon
4/21/2017 06:45:09 pm
Many continued thoughts, prayers and blessings to you and your family.
Reply
Diane Lett
4/21/2017 07:28:03 pm
Praying without ceasing.
Reply
Barb Ratliff
4/21/2017 07:40:28 pm
I am a patient of yours and Katie and your family have been and will be in my prayers
Reply
Mike and Dee Dee Spolarich
4/21/2017 09:31:59 pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. 💜
Reply
Wendi and Paige
4/21/2017 09:42:33 pm
Continued prayers for your precious Katie and your family. Praying for complete healing and relief for Katie. Thank you so much for taking the time out of your days to update us on Katie. We think of her everyday.
Reply
4/21/2017 10:06:58 pm
MAY GOD AMBUSH ALL ENEMIES THAT ARE ATTACKING KATIES BODY AND PRAYING FOR ALL PRAYER REQUEST AND THE WHOLE FAMILY,HARD ON OTHER CHILDREN AT HOME .WILL PRAY FOR THEM.GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE.
Reply
Kim Swindell
4/21/2017 10:18:14 pm
I continue to pray for you and your family. Please know that even In your time of trial & suffering , you were able to minister to me In ways you can't even imagine. Thank you for updating us.
Reply
Cindy in Texas
4/21/2017 10:21:14 pm
My prayers have been lifted on behalf of Katie and all of you. May God continue to work through you, Katie, and her medical team.
Reply
Shelley and Patrick Coleman
4/21/2017 11:15:43 pm
I tried to comment earlier but I don't think it went through. Just said that we are crying tears of pain and hope with you. We love you guys more than you know and interceding for Katie and the whole family continuously. And to your blog post we say amen and amen!
Reply
Whitney Cox
4/22/2017 06:13:35 am
Still praying. Trying to remain hopeful with you and my heart is breaking for you as your family endures this. Prayers for healing, comfort, wisdom for the oncology team, Katie's immune system, that she tolerates the chemo well, that her lungs heal and recover, and for your other kids. We love you guys!!
Reply
DD Jordan
4/22/2017 06:55:08 am
In my heart, thru my faith, by HIS spirit, with His blood I bind every attempt upon this girl's body, mind and spirit. IBLEEV in Jesus' healing for her and will not stop bleeving❣️
Reply
Susie Cunningham
4/22/2017 09:40:37 am
Continued prayers! Thank you Lord for the answered prayers so far!
Reply
Melody
4/22/2017 12:58:35 pm
Thank you for this update. I have been thinking of your sweet Katie and your entire family. I have been praying for you all. I will continue to pray for healing for Katie and strength and peace for you and your family.
Reply
Lara Donahoe
4/22/2017 02:46:34 pm
Schoch and I are continuing to pray for all of you and the medical team caring for Katie. We are praying for God to be glorified as He fights these battles on your behalf. I am praying that He would indeed destroy these enemies and heal Katie in His perfect and most complete way. I am praying that you would all feel God's constant presence and cover you with His peace as a soothing and comforting balm. We love you and your family. We are hoping, trusting, believing, and crying out to God with you and on your behalf.
Reply
Debbie
4/22/2017 06:32:35 pm
My thought and prayers go with this family and community who hold this child in their hearts and prayers. Bless them for the Lord is with them.
Reply
Kim Saunders
4/23/2017 08:11:20 pm
Glad to hear that progress is being made! Small steps in the right direction! Prayers continue! Love to all!
Reply
Jeni Butler
4/23/2017 08:41:04 pm
Our family prays for healing and strength as you all fight against Katie's illness.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
March 2020
Categories |