February 2025
There are very few things that overwhelm me.
Sure, from time to time the Lord has a day planned where it feels like there is a little too much going on. On those days, my body normally handles the stress by giving me a headache. But that’s it! …Well, that’s not true…I may get a little cranky or I may “stress eat.” Wish I was one of those that stops eating instead though!
Anyway, something I’ve learned about myself through these 5 years with Ela is that my breaking point is seeing her in intense pain, hearing her cry for help, and not being able to do anything about the situation. Those are the times I feel overwhelmed. You might know what I’m talking about. Your stomach drops. Your chest hurts. You look around to see if there is something behind you or next to you that will help the situation (even though you know perfectly well that there’s nothing there). You shut your eyes really tightly, place your hands on your face, and beg the Lord for some kind of help. Do you know what I’m talking about?
That was much of this last Friday night, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. There has been a lot of tears, a lot of discomfort, a lot of sobbing and screaming from Ela. It started out with high fevers but at some point she very rapidly developed—what seems to be—an abscess on her rear end (the cause of most of the pain). Turns out, after bringing her to the hospital and running some tests, that she has sepsis.
Although we have hated every second of Ela’s pain, Leslee and I have been talking about how thankful we are that this manifested itself quickly, since sepsis can be fatal if you wait too long before treating it. We’re still a bit shocked at how quickly things progressed. One day she was fine, the next she had a fever of 103, the next day she had something growing with pus and blood coming out of it, and before we knew it, we were back in the hospital dealing with IV’s, pain meds, antibiotics, steroids, and everything else!
Two thoughts have captured my thinking since things have calmed down.
- The Father must have experienced intense emotional turmoil when Christ was on the cross. Technically speaking, God the Father couldn’t do anything about what was happening to His Son either. Stopping the pain and death of the cross would have meant no redemption for mankind. And since God made certain promises, He was bound by His own divine character to keep them (Isa. 53:5, 1 Pet. 2:24). So there…the Father couldn’t stop what was happening…even when His own Son cried out to Him in agony. My guess is that He was deeply troubled by this event…if God is not pleased by the death of the wicked (Ezk. 18:23), He surely found no joy in the death of the only perfectly righteous Man that ever lived.
- Christ’s sympathies are more comforting than what we often give them credit for. Our high priest is not unable to sympathize with our weaknesses (Heb. 4:15)…that is, Jesus understands our pain perfectly well. Both, the pain that Ela is enduring in her body and the pain that Leslee and I endure internally when we see her hurt. If Jesus were to tell me: “Hey, I know”…or…“I understand”…then He truly does. He experienced bodily pain and emotional pain of the highest degree. And that experiencial knowledge is the grounds upon which we can ask for mercy and grace in our times of need. Jesus understands pain. Jesus is a gracious and merciful intercessor. These are comforting truths.
Ela is on an antibiotic regimen that seems to be helping and things are trending in the right direction. Our hope is to be home by the weekend but we don’t know for certain yet. What we do know is that she’ll need some time to fully recover once she is discharged. My apologies for the length of the post, writing helps me reflect upon what is happening and helps me keep my attitude in check. Thanks again for the prayers.
Your insights are something I had never thought of before – God the Father’s reaction to his Son’s pain! Prayers that Ela will recover quickly!
we so appreciate your updates and thankful sharing your heart helps in this stressful time. our prayers continue.
We are praying for Ela’s speedy and total recovery! God bless her entire family!
No apologies required… never! Praying for little Ela and all of you!
Have been praying since last weekend, along with my clans of prayer warriors, who bring you before the Throne. Thankful you and Leslee are there together. So excruciating 💔♥️.
Praying! Thank you for sharing honestly and openly and for encouraging us even in the midst of your trials.
Hope she recovers quickly!
Two years ago I was in hospital with my son battling an ecoli infection that was shutting down his kidneys. We were in hospital for 17 days. Not anywhere near as serious as your daughters, or as lengthy, but I absolutely know what it feels like to watch your child in a life threatening situation and be in intense pain and feel completely helpless.
I don’t know you or your daughter but I will continue to pray for you both. God was faithful as my son made a full recovery. I pray that one day this will all be a distant bad memory.
Miguel, never apologize for the length of your updates. You are pouring your heart out and we are grateful that you are letting us be part of your family’s journey with sweet Ela. Many prayers and love coming at you! Bonnie and Buddy
Prayers for healing. And strength. Im so sorry Ela is going thru this!
Miguel thanks for reminding us of the suffering God must have felt when Jesus cried out. Never apologize for anything about your feelings. Your church family are here to support you and your family. Praying for Ella.,so hard to see your babies in pain.?God Bless you all.
Thanks for the good update. Sorry that Ela had to go back into the hospital, but glad to hear things are trending in the right direction! Will continue to pray.
Están en nuestros pensamientos y oraciones. Gracias por compartir la realidad de lo que está pasando en tu vida. Lo que estás compartiendo nos ayuda tanto en ver cómo Dios trabaja en la vida de una persona que está sufriendo en esta manera. Nos ayuda comprender cómo El puede consolar aún en las circunstancias más difíciles. Estamos pidiéndole a Dios que sane a Ela completamente. Tenemos mucho cariño para toda tu familia. Qué Dios les bendiga aún en todo esto. – The Payton’s
Praying for you guys, especially little Ela! Your hearts as parents are so revealing of your faith and comfort in our heavenly Father who cares deeply for this situation. I am awed by your testimony during the most difficult of times. Holding onto His faithfulness to His people for you as you walk thru these valleys!
We are thankful for your words and insight, and thankful we can pray with you.
With love—
No puedo evitar mis lágrimas a leer lo que están sufriendo, pero que gran paz siento al ver a Dios sosteniéndolos y dándoles fuerzas, gracia y provisión en medio del dolor. Que bueno es nuestro Padre !
Prayers going up.🙏
Questions going up.
Prayers going higher.❤️
Oh my gosh. This is so sad to read so so sorry. Poor Gabriela. And yall. Hope shes better very soon. My daddy unfortunately had a terrible bed sore on his bottom and sepsis along with other bad things last year and its scary and. painful. Its hard to see your parents like this. Cant imagine how hard for your child. Love & prayers as always. As others have said thx so much for sharing as youre going thru all this. We appreciate it more than yall know