When Life Doesn't Listen

In life, normally without meaning to, we picture things happening a certain way. And normally in life, things don't go the way we pictured. When they don't, when things don't follow our plan, we spend some time mourning the loss of the normalcy we never really had. Our vision, the good and perfect way things were supposed to go, is shattered and it's easy to feel a bit lost. 

I've been feeling a bit lost. Baby Girl is awesome and fun (though I sure do wish she would sleep more) but things haven't exactly gone the way I had planned. She was born with big blue eyes and a head of light colored hair and a hip that can't seem to stay in socket. She has hip dysplasia (the cool kids call it a "hip click") and the hip socket isn't fully formed. The doctor said it just happens sometimes. She was diagnosed at her initial "welcome to the world" examination and we were sent to an orthopedic specialist the day after we were released from the hospital. The doctor called it "significant." We left the orthopedic office with a cute baby girl in a full body harness. It goes over the shoulders, crosses the back and stretches down her legs ending with her feet in booties. Velcro straps pull her hips out and up so it always looks like she is sitting even when she is laying down. The doc said it hurts us more than it hurts her...and she is right. Plus it makes everything more difficult. Diaper changing requires weaving through a maze of straps. Bath time is an hour long ordeal of unstrapping each pieces, wiping her down then refastening before moving on. 

This week we went back to the doc to check the progress. Once again I had envisioned things going one way and I was sorely disappointed. There hasn't been any progress...no improvement. We go back next week for another check and if there isn't any improvement we will move on to a more rigid metal brace which will be more uncomfortable for her and a little more heartbreaking for us. Our prayer is that next Tuesday when we go back to the doc, the amount of improvement will astound her...that there will be no choice but to attribute the change to the big and awesome God we serve. 

It's not that I doubt God. I've seen Him do so many things, big and small, and I trust and believe He can heal a silly little hip. But I also know if I'm not mentally prepared for a deviation from my plan, it's easy to fall into a slump of doubt. If the braces don't work, Baby Girl will be put in casts that will cover both legs and extend halfway up her cute little belly.  That will be painful for both her and us.  Initially I hated her stupid harness.  Such an inconvenience.  But now, after the visit on Tuesday, I pray she can stay in it.

 Someone said, "Well at least it's not leukemia." True. We are blessed. And the people who are dealing with that situation need prayers by the truck load. We are thankful that she is here with us, breathing and smiling and pooping (a lot) but we are also praying earnestly that God...the God I tell kids about at church...the one who heals and saves and redeems and loves...we are praying that He will hear and answer. 

So if you have a minute, it would be awesome if you could thank God for this cutie muffin and also throw a prayer in there...maybe even two.  It's nice to know that God listens even when life doesn't.