The theme for today is: Backward or forward?
Zach has been running heavy the past two weeks. Running with pain. Running with fear. Running with anxiety. Running with anger. Running with agitation. Running backward it seems.
Zach is running with weight he cannot carry. We pray that God will help him run lighter. We know that God will help him run lighter. He promises to do so. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Running is easier when you’re lighter. God promises that we can give him all, not some, of our anxiety, fears, worries, anger, and frustration. We can give him all, not some, of the weight that is slowing us down.
Keep running Zach! Look to Jesus. He knows your pain, anger, fear, and frustration. He’s got this. He’ll carry your weight. He’ll make you a light runner. The race is marked out for you. You ARE running forward. You ARE running to Jesus. He’s waiting for you. He will carry you. He will care for you. He will cling to you. Forever.
Today’s Updates:
Zach had another rough week this week. Since Sunday, he has been quite agitated, especially with nursing care. He fights regular care like getting his blood pressure taken, and has strongly resisted bloodwork and getting an IV this week. For most of the week, Zach has wanted to stay in his room, and so he didn’t have many of his regular therapies. Zach is still refusing to eat and drink most of the time, even when presented with choices like pudding and ice cream, so they put him back on the tube feed early this week. Zach will sometimes accept some water or applesauce on a sponge, but generally will refuse to take anything.
Zach’s care team has continued running tests and scans to determine if anything specific is bothering Zach. So far, nothing unusual is showing up. Zach was too agitated for an MRI this week, so they may try it again next week, potentially under sedation to keep him still. Please pray for wisdom for Zach’s care team as they investigate his situation and care for him. Zach’s doctor says that his agitation could just be because he is feeling depressed or angry about his situation, or it could be part of the regular ups and downs of Zach’s brain injury.
We also got the disappointing news this week that Zach’s appeal to the long term neuro rehab facility in Ponoka was rejected. We are saddened by this news, as it means that Zach’s opportunity for rehab care will be coming to an end soon. Zach’s care team is currently looking at long-term options for Zach, like institutional care or setting up home care. Please pray for wisdom and strength for us and Zach’s care team during this time of decision making.
Pray also for Zach. Pray that God will heal him and grant him strength and hope. Pray also that Zach will feel God’s nearness and love, even when he is agitated. Thank you for your prayers and support. Have a blessed Sunday.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For,
“In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”
But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.
(Hebrews 10:36-39)
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
(Hebrews 13:5-6)
