Day 92 - September 15 - The latest
A very short post as the day winds down. First, thank you for your words in reply to my last post. Although they often bring scant comfort, they remind me whose I am.
I am back at work, where I find my stress level to be lower than when I am at the hospital. That puts me in the unusual category of going to an Air Traffic Control facility to relax. 8-0 It also lets me miss many of the new things that come up for Connor. Cherie and Joelle got to go with the boy this afternoon as he drove his own wheelchair for the first time. Like everything else he's ever attempted, Connor took to it like a fish to water. Hopefully I'll get to see it before too long.
The cultures have to wait 72 hours before the doctors make a determination about our isolation, so we won't find out anything about that until Wednesday PM at the earliest. Connor is, however, having more stuff in his lungs again, which raises the spectre of pneumonia once more. Right now it's only something to watch, but I would ask you to keep that in prayer, that he might be spared this additional burden.
Lastly, the boy has been tentatively scheduled for his pacer surgery on October 1. I am praying that God will irrefutably demonstrate that Connor doesn't need it prior to that date, and that he will be able to sustain his own breathing naturally before they do the surgery.
Tomorrow is "L". I've got nothing besides "Lord", which is how I see God already. I need a fresh perspective. Suggestions?
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posted by Eric Williamson @ 7:44 PM
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45 Comments:
Light of the World
Living Water
LOVER of my soul
Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.
Can you explain for ignorant people like me how this wheel chair
works?
I can't help but believe that being able to be a bit mobile will be a boost to Connor.
Life-Giving
Praying for all of you in TN
My "L" word doesn't exactly describe God but I do think it describes one of the best medicines ever--"LAUGHTER". Even when you are down and wondering "why us, Lord?" I would encourage you to laugh at crazy things that happen (even now) or about wonderful memories of times gone by. Remember--you are making memories today that you will be able to someday look back on and say "God helping us, we made it through". Our God is so good--He is beside us in both laughter & tears, in triumph & pain because He has walked there before us. God bless you with a restful night's sleep.
LOVE, of course!
Connor,
I happened to drive by Fresno Community Medical Center today, and as I drove by I was overwhelmed with the awareness that this hospital I drive by frequently looks so different now when I see it. I was reminded of the huge impact you made on staff, patients, and visitors there. And because of your time there, that hospital and the people in it will never be the same! As I drove by, I was impressed with the thought that your strength, your faith, and your God have made our downtown hospital a more compassionate place for all of its future patients! Thanks so much for the witness you had here in Fresno!
I echo what Laura said...CRMC (Community Regional Medical Center--Fresno) will never be the same. AND I will always think of you everytime I go to work. It has been lonely not eating lunch with you guys and catching up, talking with Connor (I was really just getting to know you!), and checking one last time at the end of my shift to pray and give hugs... You are very missed.
And for my L word...LEADER. I think of the words, "Where He leads me I must follow. For He guides me with his love." "...whatever I do, whatever I be, still tis God's hand that leadeth me." Just a thought...
Sweet dreams, peace and rest to all.
Love, Kristie for the Robinsons in Fresno
God "Lavishes" his love upon us.
Lavish means:
1: expending or bestowing profusely : prodigal
2 a: expended or produced in abundance b: marked by profusion or excess
Liberator... He sets captives free! Praise God, He does indeed!
Luke 4:16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
18 “ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (NKJV)
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. [In this case, bondage to the law.]
Romans 6:15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
Load-lifter,
May we all lay our burdens at His feet!
Leaning on Him,
Krista
Lamb...
-of God
-who was slain
-etc.
Longlasting!
Loving and Listening, I go through a similar ( clearly not the same as it is not my son ) turmoil, thinking today God, today you will heal Connor.............. and yet it turns out it was not today, so perhaps tomorrow. I still believe that God is in all of this even though his timing is not mine. God is Loving and he is Listening, so my family continues to lift all of you up in prayer and trust HIM.
Sally
LIFTER OF MY HEAD
LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, "There is no help for him in God." Selah
But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. Ps. 3:1-5
LAMP/LIGHT
Even when we're at a loss for what to do, what to say, what to think, how to proceed, or why, we can run to God and His Word which holds a particular kind of comfort because He leads us out of the darkness. All the answers may not be had this side of Heaven, but we KNOW we can trust in God to guide us rightly. We follow Him because He knows the way and illuminates our path. In this we can delight.
Psalm 119: 103-108
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.
YOUR WORD IS A LAMP TO MY FEET AND A LIGHT TO MY PATH.
I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.
I have suffered much; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word.
Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth and teach me your laws.
Ever praying for you,
Jenann
God is love. God is love. God is love. Those simple yet profound words were all my mom could speak to me after the death of my young son. At the time I felt...yeah, right. But as time has passed, the truth of these words have been a comfort and I've seen and known the love of God in the darkest of times. Nothing can separate us from his love now and forever. Think of how much your family and others love Connor. God's love for him and your family is even greater, deeper, and more perfect. God is love...that is his nature. Even when we can't understand our circumstances, love is who God is. Love comes from God. There were times where I thought well, I'll just choose not to love so deeply and life might be less painful. Wrong- how much deep and amazing joy we will experience because we love.
Connor, that's awesome you were motoring~ you are an inspiring young man. You are impacting so many lives. Praying you will have a victorious day!
By the time I get to the Blog, the word affirmations I come up with are already used and I must say, some are very very good and wouldn't have thought on my own. This is a good reminder to stop and affirm daily the qualities and strengths of our Lord.
I just wanted to say, I am here and praying. I have nothing new to say to the Williamson's that they haven't heard already. Encouragment and trust in the Lord keeps running through my mind.
Blessings,
Carolyn
longsuffering
lovingkindness-his lovingkindness endures forever
Kristie already posted LEADER (great minds!), and I can't think of another one that hasn't been mentioned, so I'll follow up on this one. :)
The 23rd Psalm says the Lord is our Shepherd, and He leads us beside quiet waters, and that He is with us when we walk through dark valleys. I think it's no mistake that we are often compared to sheep in scripture - sheep can be stubborn, have a tendency to wander, and are none too bright at times! :D
Sheep who follow the Shepherd's leading are safely carried through the dark valleys. Sheep who take their eyes off of the Shepherd tend to get lost, losing sight of the Shepherd and His guidance in the face of frightening circumstances. The sheep still gets through the dark valley, but with more bruises and scratches than if he had stayed focused on the Shepherd. Been there, done that! LOL You'd think I'd learn, but like I said, God knew what He was doing when He compared us to sheep!
Our Shepherd is faithful to LEAD you through this dark valley. When it's really dark, it's hard to see Him, but He's there. Listen for His voice. Look for His guidance. Green pastures and still waters are coming.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His Glory and Grace.
Praying for all of you!
~Amy
Thank you Michele, haha, after reading all the comments I was so excited that the one I was going to use was not taken yet, until I came to the last one, I think I will use it again and use the scripture I found while lying in bed last night and to tired to get up and post.
Longsuffering: Patient
Psalm 86:15
But You, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
Have a blessed day Connor and family, gobble up all the manna that the Lord has left with you today, it will be just enough.
Thank you, Lord!
Thanks Amy, that was beautiful!
Living
ALIVE, ALIVE, HALLELUJAH HE'S ALIVE
PRAISE AND HONOR AND GLORY TO THE LAMB.
The common translation of "Hallelujah" as "Praise the LORD!"
is about right. If we want to expand on it a bit, we might of "lauding
someone, for a superior quality or great acts".
Praise the LIVING LAMB
Life:
John 14:6 "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 6:35 "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
GOD IS LOVE. Connor may know this song. It was on my 11 year old friend Danny's favorite song list ... they played it at his life celebration after he went to live with Jesus in 2003.
Love is God and God is love no one's below no one's above
sing it like
love is God and God is love no one's below no one's above
thinkin' of my past motivates my future
will I make or break love or hate
now tell me who's the fake n who's the snake man
who can I trust so many promises I seen bust
justice never accomplished right so I gotta let that go
and keep movin yeshua illuminate my path
and keep me tuned in so much negative around for me
to still get consumed in, but I still have peace
in the misdst of confusion I still have peace in the midst of confusion
even though I know my life has purpose
I find myself down n' out feelin' worthless
and defenseless against them that rise against me
but I still call no man my enemy
cuz competition is none no competitors
Matthew 5:44 has got me prayin' for predators
turnin' cheeks on the regular so throw your dart
and chances are you'll hit the heart,
but never take me apart because I'm found in yeshua
so who can be agaist me that's what I thought
nobody
chorus:
love is God and God is love no one's below no one's above
sing it like
love is God and God is love no one's below no one's above
singin'
love is God and God is love no one's below no one's above
sing it like
love is God and God is love no one's below no one's above
singin' ...
For today...Mighty & Master.
Thank you Lord that you are the Master of everything.
Jeremiah 33:3
"Call unto me, & I will answer thee, & show thee great & mighty things, which thou knowest not."
You are in our hearts & prayers.
KC,MH
Listener
He listens as we cry out to Him - even when we think He doesn't hear.
OH my goodness Williamson family, here it is 9 AM on Tuesday and you have brought us all together thinking of names of God as you have so much worry in your own life. What an amazing family that you have brought SO many people together in worshipping, honoring, focusing on God. Every "L" word our family has thought of has been posted, untill my 11 year old daughter said "Loud" I asked her to explain and here goes, "God is Loud in this situation (connors injury), He has made a need known and drawn us to him in a "Loud" way. He is demanding us to pay attention and be drawn back to him. In this world of "me, me, me" God has made me think of others, how quickly family can be changed and how I need to be closer to Him." Out of the mouth of a 11 year old!
My husband Tim came up with: God is our Lifesaver, Light, and life line. I feel your family has been an example and will leave a Legacy for generations to follow.
As always we will check your blog and continue to pray with you, we will pray that once again the correct people will be involved with Connors case and that the Lord may bring into your life today those that can bless you as you have all blessed us with your example of faith.
Hugs,
Myers family
Again, the kids have insight!
"Loud" reminded me of this Psalm:
Ps 29:1 A Psalm of David. Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, Give unto the Lord glory and strength. 2 Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The Lord is over many waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; The voice of the Lord is full of majesty. 5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars, Yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire. 8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; The Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth, And strips the forests bare; And in His temple everyone says, "Glory!" 10 The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood, And the Lord sits as King forever. 11 The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.
Jenann - amen and amen!
He is the "last"
Re 1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,
Re 22:13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
Leap of FAITH; long-lasting, loving, light,LORD!
Love you!
Evalena
God is the LIGHT when we feel as though we are in the dark
i love you guys and know u all have changed my life for the better and more than u could ever imagine so thanks so much for loving God as much as you all do you have been great witnesses to me and im sure to many other people but know u have changed my life for the better love u all =o)and God has used you all to be a light to my life when i feel im in the dark see u soon connor luv ya buddy =o)
LOVING LIFELINE.......
"LEARNING"... I have learned a lot by following your journey - about love, faith, community, kindness, weakness and most of all - strength! You would be amazed at what this "Baptized Catholic, Confused Christian" has learned from you Connor and your family! THANK YOU for sharing this journey with us all!
Just a few more words...
LAMBENT - bright, beaming, brilliant, radiant (as in His glory)
LARGESS - generous bestowal of gifts (who has given more to us, and what more precious gift than His own son?)
LAUDABLE - worthy, admirable, commendable, praiseworthy, thankworthy
LEGACY - heritage, birthright, inheritance (because we are adopted into His family as sons and heirs, we receive the most precious inheritance of all -- eternal life)
LIMITLESS - boundless, endless, immeasurable, infinite
LENIENT - gentle, forbearing, charitable, merciful (He doesn't treat us according to what we deserve)
LOVELY - beautiful, attractive, captivating, engaging (He draws us to Him...and the more we know of Him, the less attracted and attached we are to the things of this world)
Praying you can focus on God today, meditate upon His word, and worship Him for all that you know Him to be and for the things you have yet to discover about His character...
Love you all,
Jenann
I asked my 7/8 grade history class at Vine today to come up with some attributes of God to post on the blog. Here is their list:
merciful
magnificent
mighty
majestic
magisterial
loving
laudable
logical
long lasting
and my personal favorite-lean! Not sure what they were thinking with that one, but I know we can lean into Him, lean on Him and He will bear the weight of all our sin and pain.
love,
Michele
He is the "Lame-Healer!"
Wonderful words, all! (Though if I'm particularly encouraged and blessed by the words offered by my lovely wife, I hope you all don't mind!)
Speaking of which, Jenann, your words brought the following to my mind:
LEONINE (like a lion)
Revelation 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?" 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. 4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals."
6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth." 11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!" 13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!" 14 Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever. (NKJV)
Doesn't that just give you chills?
Oh - and these verses to go along with LOVELY (along with Ps 29, which I already quoted above):
2 Chronicles 20:20 So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper." 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: "Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever." (NKJV)
That's right - Jehoshaphat appointed people to sing to go at the head of the army so that they would go into battle praising God - specifically, that they praise the beauty of His holiness. Guess what happened in the battle? God won the victory without even requiring the army of Israel to lift a hand in combat!
Obviously, victories such as this will not always be the rule - there are many examples that are not like this in Scripture... but this model for going into battle, which we're actually following here on this blog, is the way to enter the fray - praising God for His attributes, and in particular, His beautiful Holiness! This holds true especially in the case of those battles fought in dark valleys against the Giant Despair and his cohorts.
I really need to read the postings at night because by the time I get on here, all the words that I can think of are used. :)
My brain cannot think right now, but I did want to let you know that we are still praying for you. There is not a day that goes by that your family does not cross my thoughts.
May God give you a miracle today.
Lee,
I've heard of a "Read the Bible in a year" program, but I've never heard of a "Type the Bible in a year"!!!
8-)
L-Living Bread
Jesus said..
"I am the living bread, which came down from Heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." John 6:51
Please be encouraged...the work that God is doing through your family and through Connor's life is bigger than you could ever know! Even the way God is using His own children to rename his attributes is AMAZING! What a Mighty God we serve!
I read this today and thought of you all...
"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, expecially those who are of the household of faith." Galatians 5:9-10
God is changing lives through your faithfulness...even when things on your end seem hopeless and futile.
So many good "L" suggestions!
How about : Lamp unto our feet and Light unto our path? He is giving you daily what you need to sustain you, even though the days ahead seem so dark. It is reassuring (to me) to know that we are only intended to have light enough for our present circumstances and that God gives us both faith and grace to endure today,as well as trust that He'll give us what is necessary to face tomorrow.I sure hope this doesn't sound trite. I know for my family's present circumstances, I'd love a beacon to shine over the next several weeks, to see what's coming! I recognize that God uses my anxiety- provoking circumstances to build my faith,which I'm obviously short on.
I have prayed for you all,asking that our father would grant you much grace to endure for these long days and weeks. God has given us a love for your family during this time.
May God bless you richly and answer prayers today!
Kim for the Kenyons
Eric,
Not to worry, I'm not wearing out my keyboard - I make extensive use of cut and paste! ;-)
Lee
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