The theme for today is: Works in Progress.
We are works in progress. God’s works in progress. This comes with frustration. This comes with joy.
Frustration with Progress
Are we there yet? When Zach used to ask us that, we’d answer “soon” or “five minutes.” And then we hoped he wouldn’t ask that again. In this marathon, I’m sure Zach must be thinking “Are we there yet?” Wouldn’t we all. But in the marathon, the race that God has marked out for us, we’re never there yet. We’re not done yet. We’re works in progress. Gotta keep running. And that can be frustrating.
Frustrating when we have to learn something over and over because we just can’t seem to get it right. Frustrating when we are faced with the reality of our limitations, weaknesses, shortcomings, temptations, sin, and trials. Frustrating that we’re not there yet. This is normal. Be encouraged!
We’re works IN PROGRESS! We’re runners but we’re not perfect runners. Every millimetre of the race is marked out for us. We’re helped, even carried along, for every single millimetre. All the way to that finish line. Because there’s someone at the end of that finish line. Jesus Christ. Running while fixing our eyes on him brings joy both now and eternally.
Joy with Progress
We can find joy in our progress. Joy because God is acting. God is helping. God is providing. God is sustaining. God is forgiving. God is restoring. God is renewing. God is training. God is leading. God is working! “For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).
God is involved. He keeps track of our progress. He participates in our progress. God knows what we need. He knows when we need it. He knows why we need it. He accompanies us along our race, along Zach’s race, to work our circumstances out for our good. We need to watch for that as we run. And then we’ll see that we are indeed works IN PROGRESS.
Are we there yet? Not yet. But soon.
Today’s Updates:
Zach has been sleeping well (and often sleeping in) for the past few nights. He is relatively calm during the day and sometimes sleepy. Zach moves his legs around on the bed throughout the day, which could be a strategy to try to relieve pain or tension in his legs. Please pray that God will continue to grant Zach rest and that he will relieve any pain that Zach is feeling.
Zach will get quite emotionally distressed at times. When Zach becomes agitated or sad, it is hard for him to communicate what is distressing him, so it is difficult for us to know how to help. Praying with and for Zach helps the most consistently, and it seems to help him process his emotions, which is very encouraging. Pray that Zach will have what he needs as he grapples with his situation and his limited ability to communicate.
Zach continues to communicate by pointing to his yes/no papers, and nodding or shaking his head. He will also sometimes point to things in his room as an attempt to communicate, but it is hard work for him to answer a lot of questions, and he gets frustrated when he cannot say what he means. Please pray that Zach’s communication will improve in God’s timing, and that God will grant him patience when he’s unable to communicate his needs and feelings to us.
Zach tried out a new wheelchair today that was supposed to fit him a bit better than the one earlier this week. This wheelchair can also tilt back to prevent him from slipping out when he sits in it for long periods. However, Zach only stayed in the wheelchair for about a minute because the chair was much too short for his torso. The OT team is hoping that they will be able to adjust this wheelchair to his height and try it again sometime next week.
The OT team also switched back to his old splint for his left hand but have slightly increased the tension from before, since they decided that the fabric one was set at too aggressive of an angle for his wrist. Please continue to pray for healing in Zach’s left hand so that he will regain a larger range of motion.
Please pray for healing in Zach’s brain and body. Pray that Zach’s treatments will be beneficial and effective. Pray that he will experience the peace of God and that he will be able to fix his eyes on God, even in his pain and sorrow. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.”
(Philippians 2:12-18)
