How painful will the best be?

Have you ever prayed for something and wondered if you would really get it? C.S. Lewis says it this way, "We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be."

This is how I felt many days as we prayed for Jonathan to grow. Was something wrong with him? Seriously wrong? How could there be something wrong with this incredibly healthy, joyful, energetic child? ....But was there?

I prayed that God would make him grow. I prayed against Cystic Fibrosis and Celiac's and the lack of growth hormone. I prayed every night since he was born that "he would grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man." Those were God's own words from the book of Luke and His Word never returns void.....right?

And yet for months he didn't grow. In fact, when it all began, he lost a whole pound and didn't gain it back for 10 months, let alone actually gain any ground. On my best days, I had the faith of David fighting Goliath. But on my worst days I wondered how painful the best would be for my little guy.

He has always been small. He was only 6 lbs when he was born. His doctor in Colorado Springs was required to send him to a nutritionist when he was about 18 months old because he was below the 10th percentile and therefore labeled "failure to thrive". Even as she did this, she assured me he wasn't failing to thrive. But when we moved to Alabama, he lost that pound and didn't gain it back and it raised all kinds of red flags with the doctors. So many, in fact, that we just went to a Pediatric GI today. And here is the amazing part......

He GREW!! He gained an entire pound in one month. So, he has now gained 2 lbs past what he lost. My 4-year-old now weighs 29.8 lbs. Did you catch that? He is almost 30 lbs! A weight I sincerely thought was at least a year off based on his rate of growth.

I prayed.....and so many others prayed with me (thank you to those of you reading this that prayed!).....and God answered.

There is another piece to the puzzle that God used to bring about this growth. I had been trying to tell his doctor that he was constipated, but she would never believe me. In November, we saw a different Dr. for his 4-year check-up and she listened. She put him on Miralax which not only has softened his stools but has therefore increased his appetite because he has more room in there now. He used to complain of stomach aches, but I haven't heard him say that since he started the Miralax.

God heard the cry of my heart for someone to listen to my concern and He provided an alternate doctor at a crucial moment.

And today we saw this awesome Christian GI doctor who is just not as concerned as the other doctors have been this year.

Who knows what is in store for my Jonathan......Well, God does. And He hears this mommy's heart. He heard my cries for my son and He has answered. Would He be any less amazing if the report was different? No. But I am rejoicing that at this moment in our lives, He has chosen to make the best just wonderful and not at all painful.

Thank You, Lord!!!