Where's the Bliss in This?

I know that I can seem pretty "Pollyanna" about my life when it comes to this blog.  I think it's because this is the place I can think before I write.  Process before I decide.  So, in the world of "blogging" I think anyone can make their life as blissfully wonderful as their little hearts desire!  For me, it is where I can gather my many thoughts and harness them into something positive and good.

Yesterday was a day that brought a scary, dark cloud over our happy life.  Demetri had an asthma attack that wasn't responding to our normal lines of defense:  albuterol nebs, steroid nebs, benadryl, Claritin, and a host of whole food supplements!  As the day progressed, Demetri slipped further and further away from himself.  He eventually became a limp heap in my arms, exhausted from the fight to breathe.  His color was ashen.  He was mottling (a sign of not oxygenating well) all over his little body.  To make a long story short, an ambulance transported him to Emmanuel Children's hospital.

There are many things I could write about that day.  We knew that Demetri was being well cared for.  We were thankful for the many members of the medical staff that put Demetri (and us!)  at ease and offered many creative ways to keeping him distracted from the scariness.  The paramedics were especially kind and turned the ambulance ride into a perfect preview of things to come at Disneyworld! :)  Demetri was a champ through it all and did not utter even one complaint throughout the ordeal.  Not one tear was shed...by Demetri, that is!  John and I were a mess. :)

Most of all, we are grateful to God for Demetri being able to come home with us last night.  I am grateful that as I am typing this blog, Demetri is playing Indiana Jones in the living room with our dog, Jake.  But, here is what John and I were especially grateful for:  Our family and friends.  From neighbors offering to care for Noah or taking care of the dogs overnight if needed to the countless prayers said on Demetri's behalf.  It amazed us that within 30 minutes of calling our closest family/friends to pray, the network of prayer warriors grew exponentially.  This is the joy that is found in being a part of God's family!  Prayer spread like wildfire.  It touched my heart how so many people joined their faith together in the Spirit and interceded for Demetri.  This passage from the Gospel of Matthew kept running through my mind:

Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.  Matthew 18:18-20

Isn't it beautiful?  Being a child in the kingdom of God is such an honor.  In accepting the love of Christ and His sacrifice for us on the cross, it gives us  membership into the most amazing family!  The love and support we felt yesterday was overwhelming.  Thank you to all of our brothers and sisters in Christ for pressing in and lifting Demetri up in prayer, for binding what needed to be bound and for loosing what needed to be loosed! 

Prayer is powerful.  I know that I am committing to a renewed fervency for prayer.  How many times did I tell someone that I would pray for them and that request would slip my mind?  Maybe we think that our one voice in prayer isn't enough to make a difference.  Surely, all the other people are praying... I want to sincerely offer my prayers to others.  It's not just a nice thing to say, "I'll pray for you."  When we say it, it means we are linking our faith to theirs, we are partnering with them for God's intervention, we will carry that person on our faith if needed...it means we love them and are willing to intercede on their behalf.  The most powerful way to pray is to pray the Word of God.  Let's press into the Word and learn how to pray effectively. 

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. -James 5:16

I want to be effectual and fervent in my prayer life.  When I need help with what to pray in a specific circumstance, I use the book series, Prayers that Avail Much.  The Orthodox Book of Prayers is also really useful.  Prayer can be a whisper of a few words or soul-stretching hour(s) of intense intercession.  God hears them all.

Again, a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone that prayed with us yesterday.  Demetri is well on his way to perfect health because of your prayers!  And next time I see you, let me know how I can pray for you.  :)

So, in the end, there IS bliss in even this!