The theme for today is: Hands.

Psalm 31. In God’s hands.

David had gifted hands. David had shepherd’s hands. Hands to hold the rod and staff. Hands to help. Hands to defend. Hands to correct. Hands to guide, to hold, and to save. David had strong hands. Hands to use a slingshot. Hands to use a sword. Hands to fight. Hands to kill. David had skillful hands. Hands to play the harp. Hands to soothe. Hands to refresh. Hands to praise. David had praying hands. Hands soaked in tears. Hands to hold his head. Hands strong in prosperity. Hands weak in adversity. Hands raised up. Hands that hung down. Hands that trembled.

Zach has gifted hands. Zach has shepherd’s hands. Hands to hold. Hands to propose. Hands to love. Hands of love. Hands of devotion to Megan. Zach has strong hands. A builder’s hands. A mason’s hands. Hands to lift blocks, brick, and stone. Hands to mix and spread mortar. Zach has athletic hands. Hands that dangled, deked, and dazzled in ball hockey. Zach has skillful hands. Hands of an artist. Hands to craft columns, arches, and patterns. Hands to create. Hands to design. Zach has praying hands. Hands to pray with us. Hands to pray on his own. Hands to pray with Megan.

Hand holding. Megan’s devotion to Zach is heartwarming and at times heart breaking. What a love to behold as she holds Zach’s hand unceasingly in faithful love and devotion. A hand to touch. A hand to kiss. A hand to hold while singing. A hand to hold while praying. Hands of commitment. Hands of love.

As you’ve been reading, and will continue to read, the doctors are concerned about Zach’s right hand. His strong hand. The hand which we heard today he will lose, most likely up to his wrist. We looked at that hand every day in hope. Maybe another miracle. It churns the stomach to imagine what Zach may be hearing and feeling. We feel so helpless. It’s out of our hands.

But it’s in God’s hands. David knew the limits of his hands. Zach knows this as well. And God willing, he will know this in a whole different way. But there are better hands. God’s hands. God’s hands have no limits. God’s hands are perfect. God’s hands are strong. God’s hands guide, hold, protect, create, design, defeat, save, heal, and love. They will always love. David knew this. And Zach and Megan know this. So do we. In Old Testament times, when Jewish children went to bed, they were taught to pray, “Into Your hand I commit my spirit.” Another child also prayed this. THE child prayed this. Jesus prayed this as his last words. We pray this as our words today. In God’s hands.

Today’s Updates:

The plastics team told us their assessment of the right hand today. They told us that Zach does qualify for surgery, and they they will be removing Zach’s entire right hand. This was difficult news to hear as we still were hoping part of his hand could be preserved, however we do not lose hope for we know our God has a purpose in this as well. Zach will likely go for surgery for his hand in the next few weeks. Please pray for guidance for the surgeons and courage for Zach as this will be a life altering loss for him.

Vascular surgery came by to look at Zach’s feet today. They are still opting for conservative treatment (no surgery yet, more wait and see). The surgeon who was in today was cautiously optimistic that they may be able to keep parts of both of Zach’s feet. Please pray for healing of Zach’s feet and for wisdom for the doctors and nurses.

Zach was very active again today and not responding to medications, so they put him on mild sedation in the evening. The doctor spoke with us and told us Zach will be sleeping for the next 24 hours if all goes well. The doctor said that although this is a setback, they are hoping that they can make some medication changes while Zach is mildly sedated so that he can rest while they figure out the best options for Zach’s pain control.

Today we received a lot of news which was overwhelming. Please continue to pray that Zach will heal, especially his brain. Please also pray for comfort and peace for Zach with these life altering losses. We also ask that you pray for peace and comfort for us as we process this news and try our best to support Zach.

“Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.” (Psalm 31:5)