From daddy's heart By Christina Willis — 12 hours ago
Christina has done a masterful job in providing an untampered-with version of our journey. She is truly an artist in how she cares for Noah and our family as a whole. It is a spiritual gift that is being used to it's fullest potential throughout this struggle. Thank you sweetheart, you are a blessing and a wonder to me and those around you.
Not to worry folks, this isn't a changing of the guard in terms of authorship here. That would be a rough transition as Christina and I have very different styles... please forgive my wordiness, it's the only way I know.
What a whipsawed few months. A 'blip' in the spectrum of an expected lifetime, but this has felt like an entire lifetime on it's own. We've experienced suffering, loss, gain and joy in numerous instances and often all at the same time. In a time not that long ago we would have already said goodbye to Noah because the original tumor wouldn't have been known, diagnosed or treated. I thank God we've come far from that place. We are saddened by the recent news to know his body is losing ground despite our best attempts to beat the disease back. We remain hopeful that we have another option, albeit one with many more potential trade-offs that are intimidating, but we get to keep fighting! All the while knowing fully that our ultimate hope is in Jesus, not in man and not in this life. We are to fear God, not cancer and certainly not death.
A host of emotions and thoughts flood in at various points as we try to make sense of this and these could be potential footholds for the evil one, but thus far he's found very few. In part to your prayers. Many of these initial "natural reactions" are not to be trusted. They must be weighed and vetted because our nature behind our natural reaction is sinful. I lean heavily on Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways." My spirit falters at times and have to 'fake it till I make it'. Meaning that I try my best to remain obedient even though I may question. God has more than enough patience to wait for me and speak quietly to my spirit until the divide is restored. Most often it doesn't come with a definitive answer. More of a submitting again to His ultimate sovereignty and that He alone is worthy to be praised. Isaiah 26:3-4 "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal."
I love my son. I take joy in his heavy-breathing while he sleeps right now. Noah is a precious gift that is more valuable to me than my own life. I ask God to spare his life from this horrible illness. And as Christ in the garden of gethsemane was asking his Father to let that cup pass, but finished by saying "not as I will but as you will."
There are a thousand more steps to be taken in this. We know that are not walking it alone. I feel a little like Howard Dean before his infamous scream, but honestly we have brothers and sisters praying from IL, TN, PA, FL, CA, ID, TX, WI, AK, DC, OK, IA, CT, WA, MI, LA, NH, NY, MS, OH, IN, Canada, Germany, Japan and Africa!! If I missed you, please comment below with where your located! This is a vast global network that God has mobilized and it is breathtaking.
I said this to a dear friend on March, 16th, the day of Noah's surgery. "If this is satan's attempt to trip me up, he is no doubt recognizing the colossal mistake he's made. I'm taking evert opportunity along this road to sink my roots deeper and deeper." Please do not read that as an arrogant statement. It's said as a bold proclamation of my God's steadfast goodness. God knit Noah together in Christina's womb and loves him infinity more than I'm capable of. If I can't trust that God's plan for Noah is better than any that I can cook-up in my feeble little finite brain, then the whole belief system if fatally flawed. I promise you friends, it is not fatally flawed, it is immaculately holy and perfect. Even though I plead every day that we get to love Noah here in-the-flesh for many more years, my hope isn't pinned to Noah's outcome here on earth. The future i have hope in has no uncertainty in it.
Psalm 27:7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. Thank you to all who petition with us and pray over us. God is good. Sam
Thank you for the post. Rest assured prayers continue for Noah and family. We pray God’s healing love will prevail!
You’ve done all you can. Let God take the wheel.
Prayers for sweet innocent Noah. God Bess.
Be strong Noah. Our Prayers from Georgia will continue.
BTTT
Prayers for him. May God watch over him.
Keeping up the prayers in SC. Thanks for the update.
Beautiful sentiment. God bless this family.
Amen!
Lord Jesus, give strength to little Noah and his family.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, amen.
Lord hear our continued prayers for Noah and his family.
LORD ALMIGHTY
You are Creator and Ruler of the Universe
You know every speck of dust and every being
All life comes from you, all mercy is yours
Look upon little Noah now, we pray
Look upon your creation and cradle him,
all life is Yours to give and take, all
glory and mercy and love are Yours
LORD our GOD please hear our prayer
Amen Amen Amen.
On several prayer lists here in NC
Those are absolutely beautiful words. Words worth repeating; remembering; writing down, and cherishing! Truly an example of what faith, hope and love really mean. Thank you for posting and God bless you!
Grateful
prayers going up from Iowa- psalm 3o
Praying in Missouri for Noah. Blessings.
Prayers continue.
My family is keeping Noah in our prayers. May God keep Noah and your family in his loving arms at this time. P.S. I’m in Wentzville, Missouri.
God Bless You and Your Family, You can add Georgia, GA to your List.
Inspiring faith. More prayers coming from North Dakota!