Day 109 - October 2 - The saga continues
I got a call from Cherie this morning that Connor's heart rate was dropping while he was asleep, down into the low 40s. It's back up into the normal range now, but it's just another thing facing my son. He is so big, and looks so strong and healthy, that I forget quite easily how fragile Connor's health really is.
I was particularly weighed down this morning with a thought that had struck me yesterday, so I'll mention it. I was thinking about the phrase that God "gives and takes away", and I was thinking about how God gave Connor breath, and now He has removed it from Connor while continuing to sustain his life. That leads me to believe that God has greater plans for Connor than this current state - if He had wanted to take Connor home when He took away Connor's breath, the necessary equipment to sustain his life would not have been available at the right times. Does that make any sense?
The difficult thing for Connor, and for us all, is that it is Connor's great desire to be able to sing again. Even had the pacer surgery worked, that in and of itself would not have let Connor sing. Speak, yes, but not really sing the way Connor desires. So God has taken away Connor's breath, the breath He Himself gave in the first place, and put Connor in a place where he cannot give voice to his praise and his prayers - until God gives the breath back.
So today, I would ask that you make special mention of Connor's longing to be able to sing praises again as you pray.
God bless you,
Eric
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posted by Eric Williamson @ 11:43 AM
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15 Comments:
Eric, you continue to leave me speechless; hoping and praying for all of our hearts desires to be fullfilled in relation to Connor's needs.
My heart is so burdened for the pain and fear you are going through. I can only promise you my prayers, my love and all the stamina I have to help hold you and your family up. May God fill your heart with sweet peace tonight.
God Bless you Eric...Love you SO MUCH!
Evalena
Hi Eric,
Thanks for updating us. What a scary call to get from Cherie. We will sure be praying for Connor to regain his health again, and will continue to pray for complete healing.
And also that one day he can sing again. One person on the other post, mentioned that for now, he can be singing with his words, heart, and mind. I agree. That's a nice way to look at it.
And someone else mentioned that we should be mainly looking at the Word, and not rely on our "feelings and emotions." I agree that reading the Word is the most important, and has soooo many verses to look at to encourage us and show us how to live.
I'm not saying anything about this person, I have no idea who they are or how they really think, but I do know a couple people that rely ONLY on the Bible, and they have tons of "head" knowledge, but it doesn't get to the heart. We need to "live out" the Word. And that would mean, we need to put our "feelings and emotions" to our "knowledge."
Jesus lived out His faith by His feelings and emotions. He was so extremely compassionate to people, it says through the Bible the He understands how we "feel," He showed love and care for all kinds of people. He even wept when they died, (Lazarus), when He knew all along He would be healing him. That's how much "feeling and emotion" He has. But of course, He has all the "knowledge" in the world.
I agree we shouldn't be run by either one to the extreme. But we definitely need to have both. We need to have the Word in our hearts, and we need to live it out though our "feelings and emotions."
Didn't mean to get off on that, it's just that someone has really caused me to be thinking this through extensively recently.
We need to know the Word, some great verses have come to me when I need them most.
You are all in my heart and so in my prayers.
In Christ!
Kim
As a Believer myself, I couldn't agree more Kim. Thank you for your heartfelt words. God gave us feelings and emotions, they were created by Him. He gave us His Word (The Bible) to try and figure out what to do when we are overcome with emotion and don't know where to turn. From day one of the blog, there have been numerous scriptures posted that are to help and encourage the Williamson's deal with their emotional roller-coaster ride, and Praise God, that will not change any time soon. Continuous prayers from Hollister, CA. We love you all!
Dear Eric, I can only imagine how it must feel to experience each hope dampened by yet another obstacle to overcome and how it must perhaps feel a lot like what even our Lord felt as He cried out to the Father - "My God My God, why have you forsaken me?" Yet as you have so eloquently stated, God must indeed have "greater plans" for Connor.
You and your family will continue to be in my prayers. My parental heart aches for you as parents Eric and Cherie. I am also continuously blessed by your steadfast faith and trust in God to provide and know what is best.
May our Lord continue to sustain your faith and trust in Him and give you peace. May He continue to be glorified and honored by your obedience. Amen.
I was watching "America's Got Talent" this morning before I left for school. There was a man on there, Donald Braswell, who came in third (or fourth) place for his singing ability.
The amazing thing about this is that eleven years ago he was in a car accident, and lost his voice. He was not able to sing for so long, and missed doing what he loved best.
Yet, you should hear him sing now. He has a beautiful voice. I am not sure if he is a believer, but he acted like one. He won the hearts of many Americans by his amazing "miracle."
I believe Connor will have that miracle too. We will be praying that he does.
P.S. You can probably check Donald's story out on line and hear him sing.
Isn't it interesting how we read the same words and yet we can think about them differently?! I just read some of the comments about our "feelings and emotions" with regard to a post someone sent in, and I got a completely different take on the original post! I thought the person posting was saying something to the effect of, "Keep the Word before you so you know what God has to say about the things you struggle with and you won't be sidetracked with the false things that the enemy whispers. It's the enemy who stirs up feelings of despair and hopelessness and fear, so hold the Truth up and stand on that rock solid foundation." Call me crazy, but that's what I thought it all meant! (I thought it was good stuff!)
Connor, I am continually amazed at the depth of your faith! I pray you will again sing His praises with your strong voice.
However God restores Connor's singing voice will be music to your ears I am sure of that. Always in service, if Cherie wasn't on stage singing, I could hear her sweet, sweet, powerful voice where ever she was in the santuary. I surely don't have that ability, but I still sing praises.....loud too, and I know Connor will sing someday, his desire will overcome what sound comes out, especially having a coach like his Mom and sister Joelle.
Blessings to you always
Carolyn
Carolyn A.,
Please don't take me wrong, I didn't mean in any way, what the person posted was wrong or bad. Like I mentioned, I've just had something personally happen with someone, who did take the extreme stance, and I've been doing a lot of thinking and reading on it.
The person who posted is right, that if we're not grounded in the word, Satan can get to us through our emotions, etc.
On the other hand, if we're "only" in the Word, and have "only" the head knowledge, boy can Satan get in there and cause someone to fall. We have to have both.
So no, I wasn't trying in any way to be critical of the person's post, but it just reminded me of what I've been thinking, reading, and praying about.
Praying with you all for the Williamsons!
Kim
Connor~
Hang in there with the singing thing. I call my "singing" a joyful noise...always have! But don't stop trying, don't stop singing. I'm reminded of Joni and her beautiful voice, she sounds like an angel and I'm quite sure that had to be developed. So I just want to encourage you!
I've also been reminded and challanged by a previous blogger that we need the Word and agree. Understand the Kim and a previous statement regarding our feelings and emotions. But here is something to consider and it is really not me who thought of it...but...
...my very wise husband has been know to address it like this... "I have to keep the Facts first, that is the truth of Gods Word, I put my Faith in the Fact of the Word, and the Feelings will follow." Another described it this way...like a train. Fact is the engine (Gods Word), Faith is the cargo (Me and my response to the Word of God), Feeling is the caboose (the action I take). If I put my feelings first it is like trying to drive a train with the caboose...just a thought I've grown in.
So, here is some of the Facts/the Word... that I was able to find on singing. Hopefully, prayerfully, Connor you will be encouraged.
1 Chronicles 16:9
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
1 Chronicles 16:23
Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day.
1 Chronicles 16:33
Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
(the forest sings!)
Psalms 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Psalms 21:13
Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might.
(we sing and praise Him in His strength!)
Psalms 30:12
that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.
(Don’t be silent…sing with your heart!
Psalms 32:11
Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Psalms 33:3
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
(it’s a NEW song…may not sound the same as it use to)
Psalms 57:7
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
(it’s all about the heart…as I mentioned my voice is a joyful NOISE!)
Psalms 59:16
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalms 61:8
Then will I ever sing praise to your name and fulfill my vows day after day.
Psalms 63:7
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
(IN THE SHADOW OF HIS WINGS)
Psalms 65:13
The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.
(the meadows and valleys shout and sing)
Psalms 71:23
My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you-- I, whom you have redeemed.
(my reason for singing…Redeeemed)
Psalms 96:12
let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy;
(the fields sing…)
Psalms 98:8
Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy;
(the rivers clap…the mountains sing…)
Psalms 149:5
Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.
Proverbs 29:6
An evil man is snared by his own sin, but a righteous one can sing and be glad.
1 Corinthians 14:15
So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
(verse to support previous blogger…sing with my spirit & my mind)
Ephesians 5:19
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
Hebrews 2:12
He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."
Just to name a few…I enjoyed that! Sorry if I got a little carried away...just so many! Wow! Such great Words to us all. Be Blessed Connor, be encouraged to keep keeping on and know that we are prayin for ya!
Shine On!
The Shipe’s
Dear Tonia S.,
Great stuff!! Couldn't agree with you more!
In Christ!
Kim
Connor,
I hope and pray for the day to come that you will sing, but remember you sing in and from your Heart! So even if your voice can not sing out right now, your song is in you Heart! Plus your mom and I will sing for you right now, k! Believe and invision yourself walking, talking and breathing! See it, feel it, believe it, no that it is happening now. Your mind and God is going to heal you. I know you trust in God, but don't forget how strong you truely are and how your mind and thoughts can make many changes in your life. I hope that makes sense. Love you guys! See you soon...Sara
Dear Williamsons,
Checking in tonight as usual to see how you all are doing. I so appreciate you sharing your burdens with us here so we know just what to pray for. Your family comes into my thoughts so many times throughout the day. I think about what you are facing and your honest sharing, one foot in front of the other... it has really stretched my faith. I don't understand so much, but I know I do believe. Praying for you all tonight.
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Amen
Sandi
Gilroy
Tonia S, your husband is very wise, the caboose thing makes perfect sense! From a not so legalistic believer, but a touchy-feely heartfelt friend in Cali. God Bless You All!
Wow Connor,
This is why you are my hero. You want to be able to breathe on your own and have your voice back, not for selfish reasons, but to sing praises to the Lord. What a testimony. I am so proud of your strength and faith. I love you.
Aunt Tonya
Tonia is not alone when it comes to that joyful noise, I often tell the people who sit in front of me in church that that is just what they are going to get from me :o and that's ok I love it and I know the Lord is blessed. Tonia had many good verses, the one I like the best is,
Psalms 30:12
That my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.
(Don’t be silent…sing with your heart!
praise Him, praise Him, praise Him Connor, He hears every sound your heart is making, God is so good all the time, Amen!
Hey, we are not all knowing but even we can hear you praising Him through these blogs :)
God keep you through the night.
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