Bella’s Heart – The Decision

Photo credit: Stephanie Nunley Photography

The phone rang tonight just as we were sitting down to dinner at my in-laws, just before the first bite was shoveled in. Hunting for the ringing phone under boxes of takeout, I met Jeff’s eyes, “I wonder…” I rushed out of the room, hand trembling just slightly. Answered. Nothing. Hello? Hello?

A minute later the phone rang again, another new number.

It was the call we waited for all day. It’s the reason the phone was never more than a few feet from me.

Our cardiologist, as methodically as ever explained how the team met on Tuesday and I bit my tongue to keep from saying, “AND???”

“They decided she will be able to wait at least a year or two for surgery.”

Selah.

One piece of news, however, was a bit different than expected. We were told at the last appointment that if surgery was postponed, we wouldn’t need to be seen for six months.

Turns out we’ll need to be seen in one month.

Because they’re going to try to wean her off the diuretics.

She’s doing so well that not only are they pushing back surgery, but they’re going to see if she’ll continue to thrive without any medication. We’ll start with eliminating one of her two doses, see how she does and go from there.

Selah.

Way back in the shadowlands of diagnosis, I wrote how I could understand why the doctor recommended termination…because he didn’t know my Jesus. Tonight, I have to ask, do you know my Jesus? Do you know the one who binds up the broken-hearted and causes them to thrive? Do you know my Bella’s Jesus? If you don’t, then please, please run hard after Him until you find Him. Chances are He’s already chasing you hard. Run after Him not because of the happy ending He could give you today, but because He is enough not only on the day of victory, but also on the darkest day. He is more than enough. He is oh so good.

For those of you who have been striving in prayer for our Arabella…pour a glass of wine, cut an extra sliver of cake, celebrate with us tonight. Turn the praise music up loud, and bend your ear to heaven. Do you hear it? Do you not hear it?

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”