Psalm 139:13-14
For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (NIV)
I have never been more convinced of the validity of those words written by David thousands of years ago. As I have researched the medical conditions with which Mackenzie has been diagnosed, I have learned how fearfully and wonderfully made we are.
This week, as a result of the tilt table test done on Monday, Mackenzie was given another diagnostic label—postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome or POTS for short. All this means is that her body does not tolerate standing up too well. Her heart, in an effort to maintain her blood pressure and pump blood to her brain, beats too fast when standing. There are two factors contributing to this in Mackenzie’s body: first, her blood vessels may be weak and unable to function properly due to the Ehlers-Danlos, and/or second, the brain stem, which controls the autonomic nervous system (heart rate, digestion, respiration, etc.), is compromised due to the cranial settling and possible tethered cord. It all works together because we are fearfully and wonderfully made! When one system is dysfunctional, other systems are affected.
As I was thinking of how intricately connected our bodies are and how well designed by our Creator, I was reminded that as believers in Jesus Christ we are all part of a Body—all connected, no independent systems, dependent upon one other to accomplish Christ’s purposes in the world. (I Corinthians 12:12-30)
God has shown us over and over again during this part of our journey that He uses His Body in our lives for comfort, encouragement, and sometimes medical help. Listen to this . . . a few days before Meghan, Mackenzie, and I left for New York one of the other mothers from Oakbrook had an administrator of the school give me her number. The Moms-In-Touch group had been praying for Mackenzie, and she just could not get her off her mind. Her husband, a local cardiologist, told her to call and offer their prayers and any assistance they could give.
We finally talked; I was greatly encouraged by her kind words, but honestly, I hung up the phone and thanked the Lord that WE DID NOT NEED A CARDIOLOGIST! Well, of course, it turns out we do! God provided in advance . . . again! And oddly enough, this doctor specializes in electrophysiology (the kind of cardiologist Mackenzie needs) and has two other patients with Ehlers-Danlos. We have an appointment with him on January 19th! The Body of Christ also is fearfully and wonderfully put together to accomplish His purposes! In fact, we were put on the right track to a correct diagnosis by God using His Body—our brothers and sisters—to point us in the right direction. He is so good and so faithful!
We are just amazed by His grace, and we pray that you are as well. Mackenzie’s story is just a small story, a small thread in the tapestry of God’s grace. We pray that this week God would show all of you how He is the Master Weaver in your lives as well; He is fearfully and wonderfully weaving “His story” strand by strand, and it is beautiful!
We love you all, new friends and old!
Lisa & Mackenzie
For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (NIV)
I have never been more convinced of the validity of those words written by David thousands of years ago. As I have researched the medical conditions with which Mackenzie has been diagnosed, I have learned how fearfully and wonderfully made we are.
This week, as a result of the tilt table test done on Monday, Mackenzie was given another diagnostic label—postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome or POTS for short. All this means is that her body does not tolerate standing up too well. Her heart, in an effort to maintain her blood pressure and pump blood to her brain, beats too fast when standing. There are two factors contributing to this in Mackenzie’s body: first, her blood vessels may be weak and unable to function properly due to the Ehlers-Danlos, and/or second, the brain stem, which controls the autonomic nervous system (heart rate, digestion, respiration, etc.), is compromised due to the cranial settling and possible tethered cord. It all works together because we are fearfully and wonderfully made! When one system is dysfunctional, other systems are affected.
As I was thinking of how intricately connected our bodies are and how well designed by our Creator, I was reminded that as believers in Jesus Christ we are all part of a Body—all connected, no independent systems, dependent upon one other to accomplish Christ’s purposes in the world. (I Corinthians 12:12-30)
God has shown us over and over again during this part of our journey that He uses His Body in our lives for comfort, encouragement, and sometimes medical help. Listen to this . . . a few days before Meghan, Mackenzie, and I left for New York one of the other mothers from Oakbrook had an administrator of the school give me her number. The Moms-In-Touch group had been praying for Mackenzie, and she just could not get her off her mind. Her husband, a local cardiologist, told her to call and offer their prayers and any assistance they could give.
We finally talked; I was greatly encouraged by her kind words, but honestly, I hung up the phone and thanked the Lord that WE DID NOT NEED A CARDIOLOGIST! Well, of course, it turns out we do! God provided in advance . . . again! And oddly enough, this doctor specializes in electrophysiology (the kind of cardiologist Mackenzie needs) and has two other patients with Ehlers-Danlos. We have an appointment with him on January 19th! The Body of Christ also is fearfully and wonderfully put together to accomplish His purposes! In fact, we were put on the right track to a correct diagnosis by God using His Body—our brothers and sisters—to point us in the right direction. He is so good and so faithful!
We are just amazed by His grace, and we pray that you are as well. Mackenzie’s story is just a small story, a small thread in the tapestry of God’s grace. We pray that this week God would show all of you how He is the Master Weaver in your lives as well; He is fearfully and wonderfully weaving “His story” strand by strand, and it is beautiful!
We love you all, new friends and old!
Lisa & Mackenzie
1 comment:
Mackenzie, Lisa and the entire M&M gang, You've been in my thoughts for the past month. Thank you for sharing your inmost thoughts about the journey the Lord has you on at this time. Your approach to the journey is an encouragement to me and I'm the one supposed to be encouraging you. (: I will be praying for comfort and knowledge and strength. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE to call if your mom needs to have a place for your brother to stay while she is at appointments and such. We have lots of boy things around our house, a place for him to do schoolwork, just around the corner and Austin would love to have him over to play at anytime. Our family will be praying for yours. I'll check back on you via your blog. In His Love, Ramona Eubanks
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