From the Heart

When he was 8 weeks old, my grandson Alan was diagnosed with liver disease. For the past 22 months our family, supported by God's grace and the prayers of a multitude, has stared down a beast known as biliary atresia. There have been many dark valleys, many hospital stays, too many emergency room visits, ambulance/careflight rides, ICU days, and countless procedures.

On Dec 30, we will celebrate Alan's 1 year liver transplant anniversary. We are on the mountain today, but we know there will be more valleys ahead, hopefully none as dark as we have seen.

Make no mistake, our entire family has been held in the grip of this beast, but standing on the front line 24/7 was my daughter.

Today is her birthday. This card is a tribute to her from my heart.

The text you see peeking out is the lyrics to a song that she sings, a song that she learned before Alan was born. She doesn't need to see them--she knows them by heart because she believes them, she lives them.

Happy Birthday, Amy.

The pathway is broken

And the signs are unclear

And I don't know the reason why You brought me here

But just because You love me the way that You do

I'm gonna walk through the valley

If You want me to

Chorus:

Cause I'm not who I was when I took my first step

And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet

So if all of these trials bring me closer to you

Then I will walk through the fire

If You want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen

When you lead me through a world that's not my home

But You never said it would be easy

You only said I'd never go alone

So when the whole world turns against me

And I'm all by myself

And I can't hear You answer my cries for help

And I'll remember the suffering that Your love put You through

I walk through the darkness If You want me to

If you want to hear it, click here.

Thanks, Barbara for inviting me to This Thurday Its All About. This week's theme is "Art from Your Heart".