Our Sweet Elijah

Yesterday, Elijah was bitten in the upper lip by a neighbor's dog. Even though the whole event was scary and difficult, it is with grateful hearts that we can report that he is doing well. We spent the night in the ER where his face was repaired. He has two gashes and a puncture on the inside of his lip and some bruising on his face. Today, besides a little discomfort, swelling, and questions about the details of what happened, he is on the mend. He has been so brave and compliant. Even when he had trouble understanding all that was going on around him, he seemed peaceful and trusting. Today, every time I ask him how he feels, he answers (with his life-long "how are you?" answer), "Great~".

After the dust has settled, the ages-old battle of thinking on things that are true has been at the forefront of this day for me. We are all in the recovery/healing phase in some way or another. It is during times like these when there is no clear explanation as to why God allows things like this to happen, I have to constantly remind myself that all I know of God- His goodness, mercy, justice, care, graciousness, sustenance- never changes despite difficult circumstances. Things like this would happen more often or be much worse if He withdrew His protective hand for just a second in our tragically messed-up world. It is a good reminder to both Micah and me that Elijah is always in God's hands and that He loves him far more than we do, even when He allows suffering. Jesus is the One who offers the remedy for all the messed-upness. Again, we carry Elijah to Him for healing.