An Answered Prayer

Thursday night we had a health scare when Chloe's body decided to conduct the perfect storm.  She had a yeast infection in her belly button and *ahem* nether region, an allergic reaction to strawberries, cold symptoms, and most frighteningly, a huge and swollen belly.  I called our pediatrician after hours.  She was baffled by Chloe's swollen stomach and referred us to the after hours clinic known as G.R.A.P.E.S.  When we put Chloe in her car seat she began to gag an gasp for air.  It lasted for about 10-15 seconds, but it felt like a lifetime.  We were terrified! 

The short ride to the clinic felt like eternity.  It is easy to let your mind go to the scariest places when you are a parent.  I kept thinking how much cancer must be in Chloe's belly to make it so big.  How long did we have?  Would this be our last trip with her in the car?  Seriously.  I have never been so afraid. 

When we got to the waiting room Chloe started tooting in Paul's lap.  She kept tooting here and there for the hour long wait.  When we finally got in to see the doctor, Chloe's belly had gone back to its normal size and was soft to the touch.  The doctor looked at us like we were a little crazy, but we were like no, we swear it was huge an hour ago!!  The doctor thinks she may be getting gassy from the cow's milk we have been giving her.  She thought the gagging was from the mucous from her cold.  She thought she was fussy because of the gas and her cold.  She thought the shots she had may be giving her a small rash.  I think it may be the strawberries.  But either way, there was an explanation for all of her symptoms, and to say that we were relieved is the biggest understatement in the world.

Before we left for the clinic I fell to my knees in our bedroom and prayed desperately that it was God's will for Chloe to be a healthy little girl.  I prayed that I wouldn't have to see my baby in a hospital bed until she is a grown woman holding a baby of her own.  I prayed that we were just being crazy, nervous, new parents, and that the doctor would laugh with us and send us home rest assured.  I've been so distant from God lately, caught up in our daily routine, leaving Him out of so many decisions... but there He was.  A steady rock.  I sought the Lord, and He answered me.  He answered my prayer in the way I hoped He would.  I know that prayers aren't always answered the way you think they should be answered, and I'm thankful that I am not left questioning God's plan at a time when I'm often forgetting to thank Him for His plan in the first place.  It shouldn't take moments of fear to lead me back to the Lord.  His praise should always be on my lips.  And isn't that my job as a mother?  To teach Chloe to be a faithful servant; to trust God with all of her hopes, dreams, fears, and worries; and to thank Him every day for the most generous gift of all - eternal life through Jesus Christ, our savior.