Whitnee's journey with Christ

I woke up early this morning to the sounds I’ve woken up to since May 30,2020- the sounds of my mom adjusting to her new way of breathing. I never knew persons who have tracheas have so much mucus build up. Or maybe it’s just my mom.

Micah was still up so I asked him to ask his grandmother if she needed to cleaned out so I did what I do every morning- get up and take her inner cannula out. I can count on one hand how many times I didn’t have to get up to clear her trachea. Normally I can unclog her trachea and go back to sleep but this time I spent some sweet time in the Lord.

I went to Instagram and saw so many encouraging posts from various people- half in which I don’t know but I thanked God for each of them because their posts encouraged me. As it is no secret I’ve battled many years with having patience. It seems it’s been that way since I was a little girl. It wasn’t until recently I realized what the “real” struggle was. (Thank you Lord for Your wisdom)

While watching a movie with my mom yesterday a 💡 clicked on. The movie reminded me so much of Shanya and the constant struggle my husband and I have with her mom. It was one of those things that the stress was too much to bear so we gave it to God.

Every message I read was a long the basis of not giving up, not loosing hope, trusting God to make a way out of no way, and the list goes on. All of these things I’ve had to pray for and ask God to continue to strengthen me. I’m not ashamed to say I’ve prayed for that because I want to always let God know where I am- besides He knows my heart.

The picture was a picture I captured while in the hospital with my mom. For some of you who may know- my mom had a setback where she bled out for several days (the exact number is not coming to mind right now) but she never got discouraged. I remember them taking her down to the operating room to sedate her in hopes of packing mouth with gauze to stop the bleeding. I cried, oh how I cried.

She asked the transport nurse to give me a hug. We listened to “This battle is not yours” by Yolanda Adams and then my mom, myself, and two or three other nurses held hands and prayed together. My mother wrote, “For we walk by faith and not by sight”, and then she was off to the operating room.

Eventually the bleeding stopped and several blood transplants later we got out of that hospital. A two week hospital stay turned in to a 32 day hospital stay.

Every time I think of what I am currently facing, I go back to those moments in the hospital. I go back to what all God allowed me to see and experience while there with my mom. It was a test of faith for sure but I thank God for His promises to us. I never once questioned His abilities to do what He said He would do.

I didn’t then and I won’t now. Most recently some situations have occurred and I know it’s just another test of my faith BUT God is telling me to hold on a little while longer. I know He will not place more on me than I can bear. It is by His grace and His mercy alone that I’m still standing tall.

Oh how my legs have gotten weak, my body has almost given out due to being exhausted, but I’ve not one time blamed God or asked Him to “take it away from me.” I’ve prayed and asked for endurance. I’ve prayed and asked for His strength and His vision over my life. I know this life I’m living is not about Whitnee’, it’s about glorifying God.

God told me to tell you to hold on just a little while longer. Nothing we face we will ever have to face alone. Nothing we go through will we ever have to go at it alone. He is here with me and He is there with you. He loves me and He loves you. He cares for me and He cares for you.

Though we not know specifically what one faces on a daily basis and we may not know what their specific need is but we know who does know and we know who has the power to change things. So this morning I encourage you to take it to God in prayer. I’ve got a new attitude when it comes to how people can “help” and it just involves them praying for our world.

There may be a person God puts in your path today that may need some encouragement. They might be battling a lot but encourage them to battle it on their knees. They may need to hear a Word from God- encourage them to read 2 Corinthians 5:7. This spoke to my heart this morning and I pray it will speak to yours as well.

Be blessed!