Abby and Eason,
Having a sick child is extremely difficult. I think Abby would tell you that being a sick child is even harder. And, Eason might say that supporting a sick sister is stressful.
This summer that stress became reality.
We all knew that Abby’s body didn’t like COVID. And somehow she catches it every time it comes around. (Hopefully the three times she has already caught it will be the only three times she catches it).
Last September, COVID caused havoc. I didn’t even think Abby could catch it again because she had just had it in April. The doctor said her antibodies should be good for six months to a year. But, she did catch it.
And it was hard. But, we were grateful that it was only hard. Walking around hospital hallways makes it very easy to be grateful that what you’re facing is minor compared to what could be happening.
The aftermath of COVID was heart problems, specifically tachycardia. Initially, it seemed inconvenient and severely limited Abby’s activity, but this summer it transitioned.
Tachycardia and hot Texas summers don’t like one another. Tachycardia is made worse by dehydration. And summer equals sweating in Texas.
So this summer, I watched Abby move from somewhat in control tachycardia to frequent AFIB events.
Abby, I admire your dependance on Jesus. Paramedics, hospital staff, and doctors all commented on your ability to remain calm. Not only did it help your heart stabilize after each AFIB incident, but it reflected your trust that Jesus would take care of you.
You learned this summer how to know when you needed help. You learned to remain calm and accept the help that others were giving you. But, mostly you learned that your identity is not in things happening to you but in the One whose child you are.
When something comes into our lives and begins to consume us, when that thing threatens your survival, when it feels bigger than who you are, that thing tries to give itself power. It tries to take the position of “who we are” instead of its real place of “just” something that is happening and we are going through.
Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ – not death, or life, or principalities, or powers, or rulers of the darkness of this world. (Romans 8:38 paraphrased) You were bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20) and belong to Jesus.
I don’t think for even a moment that Jesus intended for you to face COVID and heart issues. We can look at the garden and see the heart of God in creation. Sin entered our world. We now live in a world, away from the garden, that bears the consequence of sin entering. But even in the brokenness of this world, Jesus became the Light of the world. He reconnected us back to God by bearing our sins through life, death, and resurrection.
And, that is who you are. You are God’s child. Your story is written – both today and into eternity.
So, as we live through this. All of us will face the struggle of the fact that heart challenges want to define who you are. But, that simply isn’t true. You were created in the image of Christ. Our bodies here are impacted by sin. But, our identity and adoption by Jesus is greater than that. We are children of God, and nothing that happens here can separate you from the love of Christ. Your eternity is secure and complete in Him.
As you struggle through this illness (and you will…. It’s normal), talk to Jesus. He understands the struggle of living in a sinful world. He knows how badly you long for your body to be whole and complete. He longs for it too. He gave up His body so that yours could be made new in eternity. He can understand the pain of being 14 years old and dealing with things that you don’t want to face. And, He will listen – as you cry, as you question, as you trust, and as you celebrate.
I love you both. Eason, thank you for being a great brother as you deal with a lot of emotions through this also. (The next letter is for you!)
Mom