March 13, 2011 6:30 PM
Matt Maher - You Were on the Cross
Matt Maher- You Were On The Cross
My oldest son Josh sent this to me. I'm not gonna lie - it made me cry in the context of his life.
Josh and Hattie got married 4-1/2 years ago and shortly after their first anniversary Hattie - after months of pain which was never properly diagnosed - lost the ability to walk. In a dramatic series of hospital transfers, including being medivacced to George Washington Hospital in DC, they found a tumor on her back. When she woke up from surgery over three inches of her spine had been replaced with titanium.
She was still learning to walk again when they found another tumor on her thyroid. Along with having that removed, Hattie had to have radioactive iodine treatments. Since then, because they keep finding more tumors, Hattie has had several other surgeries and lost half of a lung. She has been on a couple of chemo drugs which had side effects so bad that she had to be switched.
Right now she is in between chemo treatments and she and Josh have left for a very short cruise. I think they're starting to feel like they can't keep putting off things until she is better.
Josh and Hattie are blessed to have been raised in strong Christian homes. Having been through prolonged medical problems in the first 18 months of Jonathan;s life, I am feeling their anguish each time they get another piece of challenging news. I don't know how people who have no faith can handle burdens like these.
Two lessons for young parents to draw from this:
1) Raising children is serious business. Their lives may not always be comfortable. They may be faced with terrible trials. They may be called to make tremendous sacrifices. We need to give them a rock-solid foundation and a trust in Jesus that will see them through the darkest hours.
2) We need to convince our children to marry serious, like-minded believers who believe in the sanctity of marriage and who will always keep their vows. I thank God that Josh has had what it takes to weather this storm with Hattie and to trust in God no matter what.
My kids have also seen examples of this with children we've adopted. In some cases, when faced with the prospect of a baby with Down syndrome, there were different reactions from the husband and wife. We've stressed with our kids the importance of knowing that you are both on the same page about these important issues before saying "I do."
Please continue to pray for Josh and Hattie.
Posted in Family, Music, Parenting | Permalink
Comments
Oh, Barbara. Prayers are going up.
Posted by: Sue from Buffalo | March 13, 2011 7:20 PM
Thanks for the update and wise advice. I'll remember to keep prayers for Hattie's healing in my prayers, and strength for Josh and all the family. May God bless you all!
Posted by: Julie | March 13, 2011 9:15 PM
Precious Hattie will remain on our prayer list!! Hope they have a great time on their cruise!!:)
Posted by: Eileen | March 13, 2011 10:09 PM
Thank you for that gem of wisdom, Barbara! Josh and Hattie are blessed to have a mother (and in-law) like you. Our family will definitely keep them in our prayers.
Posted by: Rachel | March 14, 2011 1:15 AM
May God heal Hattie and until then may He give you all strength to face this heartbreaking trial.
Posted by: Judy | March 14, 2011 8:40 AM
A beautiful song and an important message. I will keep Josh and Hattie in my prayers.
Posted by: Diane | March 14, 2011 2:18 PM
What a beautiful picture. And such wise words, Barbara. So true. So heartbreakingly true. I admire you and Tripp in raising this fine young man. He and Hattie are in my prayers.
Posted by: Cath Young | March 14, 2011 2:32 PM
