Insights From The Rocking Chair

A year ago I had no idea that a disease called T18 existed. I became aware only after it was diagnosed in the family of some friends. The little I have learned about this disease stabs me in the heart and becomes an indescribable pain. The challenges my wife and I face with our mentally challenged adult son, pale in comparison. The hopes and aspirations of these young couples are crushed with this diagnosis. Maybe at this point you are wondering why I would write of something so sad at a time when joy and hope fills the air. One reason is to remind you that joy and hope is not in the heart of everyone around us. Many dread Christmas for one reason or another. This year, others will experience their first loss of one kind or another. Another reason is to tell you that so far, of all the stories I have read, I have not found one couple (family), that has not experienced a deepening of their faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Not one! This disease has brought them to a deeper, st...

Keeping up with Magdalena's blog, made me aware of yet another family dealing with T18. Little Maxon was born Friday morning at 7:32AM and passed away at 10:15 that same morning. My heart breaks each time I read of these precious families and their babies, but I am encouraged by their common reliance on God's faithfulness in their lives. I wish I could write each of them and offer an explination why God chose them for what is a very difficult time in their lives. To do so would be a presumption that I know what God has planned. I guess the best I could say is; God has promised His presence. God has made that promise, not only to these young families dealing with an awful diagnosis, but to all of us. So during this season of Joy when there are many who are sad, remember them in your prayers and when you can, remind them, "God has promised His presence". If you would like to read Maxon's journey click on his name and it will take you to his blog site.