The Tree

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

--Lamentations 3:22-23

I am the tree.

Very much so.

The "tree" in this song.

 . . . He loves likes a hurricane, I am a tree.  Bending beneath the the weight of His wind and mercy . . .

We traveled to Inova Fairfax Hospital early this morning for Jackson's spinal MRI.  Isn't is strange and wonderful how innocent our children are?  He was clapping as we got him out of his carseat in the dark parking garage.  I wonder if that's how God sees us sometimes?

The procedure took a full two hours once Jax was under anesthesia.  I am so thankful for the team that was in the MRI suite with us today.  Both technicians and the anesthesiologist were incredible.  They were immensely calm (unlike us), confident and knowledgeable, yet soft spirited and kind.  Considering the anxiety surrounding the whole situation, they made it easy to trust.

Jackson did beautifully.  He awoke quickly from the anesthesia in the PACU and was almost immediately ready to eat.  No surprise there!  He has a little rash on his face from the medical tape, but, really, who can complain about that?

The rest of our day was, albeit, grueling.  Justin and I found ourselves tearfully lying in bed a lot.  Waiting is always the hardest part, I think.  Especially waiting for news that could be so very devastating or joyous. I'm not sure exactly how many people understood what we were facing--the possibilities were a spinal tumor, a tethered spinal cord, a brain malformation, or a cyst of trapped CSF.  There was also a possibility of everything being normal.

And it was.

PRAISE BE TO GOD; OUR (and your) PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED TODAY!

Jackson's MRI came back clear of abnormalities of which we were unaware.  Yes, he still has Progressive Infantile Scoliosis.  Yes, we will still be beginning the serial plaster casts in a month's time.  Yes, there is a long road ahead of us.  However, we are utterly rejoicing tonight.

Hug your children extra tight.

Make a joyful noise onto our Lord.

His mercies are new every morning.