Is this Heavy or Light?

The “Preacher” of  Ecclesiastes says in 8:6,7: “ For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him. For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be?” Yes Preacher, you nailed that one 3,000 years ago!

Heavy is my heart, nauseous is my stomach, and tear-filled are my eyes. Last evening, we got the phone call from our son Jeremy and Sarah that we were hoping won’t come for a very long time. But their adorable 20-month-old daughter Elia (our sweet granddaughter – who calls Ron and me “Guckie”) didn’t exactly pass her echocardiogram today. She was born at CHOP because they thought she may need immediate open-heart surgery, but we celebrated then because she came through strong, not needing it and was home snuggling with her parents on Christmas Day! Now the heart is indicating change and in two months she needs further detailed heart evaluation. Depending on what that shows, the heart surgery will happen sooner. In the meantime, they are to watch for signs of heart failure. No parent, (nor grandparent) wants to get this news on a daughter they love dearly! HEAVY feelings!

So please pray for them, especially Sarah who is carrying their second daughter – due in October. She is doing great, baby too, but none of us like the added stress for Sarah these last 10 weeks as she prepares to give birth. Soe, for those of you who are grandparents understand why (when I heard the news last night), I didn’t know if I should vomit, cry, holler. Ron, fortunately, suggested we pray. And I have been pretty much doing that ever since and now I am asking you too! HEAVY prayers!

I also have not been talking much about the journey we have been on with Kari over the past 6 months. So complicated! But praise God, we do believe we have targeted it to the VNS – a implant in her chest with leads going up her vagal nerve. Kari has intractable seizures and 18 years ago while living in IL, a neurologist strongly advised to have this new device placed to get her seizures under control. And for 17 years, we believe it has worked well. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and we believe that is where Kari is regarding this device. This journey is now leading us to a neurosurgeon on August 30th. If there is a problem, which we are all highly suspecting this “hardware” guy must get it out. And when dealing with the vagus nerve, this is not an easy surgery.  HEAVY path Kari trods and we with her.

II Corinthians 4:18 says, “So we do not lose heart….for this LIGHT and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” Maybe 2,000 year old Paul didn’t get the idea that these things are Heavy? Hmmm, but he was inspired by God too! Maybe I need a little more time to dwell on eternity ‘til I can sense the “light” that the Apostle Paul experienced. As I think about the trials he went through, and the terrible trials I see in contemporary humankind, I do not think I should complain. God has blessed me with so much. I still have my home, my identity, my sweet family, food, clothing and an eternal inheritance because of Jesus. Yes, my heart grieves big time because of my Denlinger ladies, and right now that is appropriate. I love them so much! And it does lighten my heart to know that God loves them even more and He’s got them all in His hand. He is going to carry this heavy burden and make it LIGHT!