Ecclesiastes. Life lessons from the Teacher. The Teacher was a ponderer. The Teacher was a searcher. The Teacher was a discoverer. The Teacher knew all about life. The Teacher knew all about good times and bad times.

Good times come from God’s hand. Bad times come from God’s hand. Prosperity and adversity. Given by a wise Father. Given by a loving Father. Both given for our good.

God gives us the expected. God gives us the unexpected. Both remind us that we do not control our future. We are fallen. We are fickle. We are frail. We are not in charge. The Teacher wants us to accept that. The Teacher wants us to understand that.

We are not in charge of our lives. The great deceiver convinces us that we are. The lies come at us every day. Sometimes in subtle ways. Sometimes in not so subtle ways. But the lies come. They come at us a thousand times a day.

The lies start with I. I am entitled. I deserve. I know better. I know best. I plan. I direct. I control. I am wise. I am good. I am in charge. The Teacher knew this. So, the Teacher gives a life lesson: “When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future” (Ecclesiastes 7:14).

The Teacher’s lesson drives it home. Scripture drives it home. Again and again. Old Testament. New Testament. God is in charge. He sends the good times. He sends the bad times. But in good and in bad, what He sends us is ALWAYS done to benefit. ALWAYS delivered in love. ALWAYS designed with wisdom.

Ecclesiastes. The Teacher. Life lessons. Life skills. Life long. Life changing. Life saving.

Today’s Updates:

Zach has had another good few days. His parents did not stay overnight at the hospital with him for the past few nights, and he’s done quite well on his own! He has had restful nights and the care team is checking on him regularly to make sure he’s getting what he needs. This is a crucial step in his independence and readiness for the neuro rehab unit. Please pray that Zach will continue to have restful nights on his own.

Zach has been smiling and laughing every day. He’s particularly enjoying balloon games and even some friendly arm wrestling! It’s great to see his friendly and competitive personality shine through. Zach is spending more time sitting up in his wheelchair. He’s enjoying rides around the hospital, which provides a welcome change of scenery and stimulation.

The speech and language therapy team continues to work with him. The next step in improving Zach’s communication will be encouraging him to use his voice more.  Zach’s formal swallowing assessment went well! An x-ray after the swallowing test showed no signs of fluid collection or pneumonia in his lungs, which we are very thankful for. The doctors are still limiting oral intake out of an abundance of caution, but Zach is now able to take small amounts of water from a spoon. We’re praying for continued progress in his swallowing ability, hoping he’ll soon be able to enjoy his favorite foods and drinks again.

Zach’s physical and occupational therapy sessions are going well.  In just two weeks, Zach has made as much improvement in his wrist extension as the therapists expected to see in two months! At this point Zach is almost able to extend his wrist and fingers to a straight position in his splint. Please join us in thanking God for this progress. Please continue to pray for improvement in Zach’s left hand so that he will be able to regain a full range of motion.

We thank all of you for your continued support, prayers, and encouragement. Please continue to pray for healing in Zach’s brain and body. Pray that his treatments and therapies will be effective. Pray that God will fully restore his mind and body and that he will grant Zach and all of us patience as we pray and wait for continued healing.

Day by day, and with each passing moment,

Strength I find to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,

I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.

He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,

Gives unto each day what He deems best,

Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

‘Day by Day (and with Each Passing Moment)’ written by Lina Sandell after she witnessed the drowning of her father.

———

“A good name is better than fine perfume,
    and the day of death better than the day of birth.

It is better to go to a house of mourning
    than to go to a house of feasting,
for death is the destiny of everyone;
 the living should take this to heart.

Frustration is better than laughter,
    because a sad face is good for the heart.

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
 but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.

It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person
 than to listen to the song of fools.

Like the crackling of thorns under the pot,
    so is the laughter of fools.
 This too is meaningless.

Extortion turns a wise person into a fool,
    and a bribe corrupts the heart.

The end of a matter is better than its beginning,
 and patience is better than pride.

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,
    for anger resides in the lap of fools.

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?”
 For it is not wise to ask such questions.

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing
 and benefits those who see the sun.

Wisdom is a shelter
 as money is a shelter,
but the advantage of knowledge is this:
    Wisdom preserves those who have it.

Consider what God has done: Who can straighten
 what he has made crooked?

When times are good, be happy;
 but when times are bad, consider this:
God has made the one
 as well as the other.
Therefore, no one can discover
 anything about their future.”

(Ecclesiastes 7:1-14)