Started reading “Viral” by Leonard Sweet. Good quote about how people approach their faith. Some see it as an opportunity to connect while others look at it as a position to defend.
This is what he writes on pg. 14:
“Trust me, 520 million-plus human beings from around the world do not log onto Facebook so they can get into an argument. They do it to connect to other people.”
One of my wife’s friend had a baby who was born prematurely. She was not expected to survive to delivery and is surprising the current medical staff that she is still alive. Quinlan’s time on this earth will be short-lived and the family has come to terms with that truth.
Yesterday my wife visited the hospital along with a photographer to capture some pictures of Quinlan. Due to her struggles with breathing that day, they were not able to take photos of her. The photographer did take a few pictures and posted them on her blog. I’ve met the mother once, have not seen Quinlan other than in pictures, but her story is powerful.
I’ve pasted what the photographer wrote on her blog, but please visit her website to read it again and the see the pictures.
Type. Delete. Type. Delete. Repeat. What can I say? Nothing that holds the meaning and truth spoken by Quinlan’s mom, Jen, whom I had the utmost pleasure meeting this afternoon.
In a couple days, I’ll have the honor of introducing you, via blog, to Quinlan Faith. Many of you know this family. I did not until I got a phone call Monday from Jen’s friend Julie. She had asked me if I would come to the NICU at Children’s to take pictures of sweet little Quinlan. I know many of you are praying and must be amazed by the daily miracles God is bestowing on this family. For those of you who don’t know, but are willing… please pray for this dear baby.
Here is what I know. I realize this is such a small portion of Quinlan’s story (and if I am incorrect on some details, please correct me). Jen shared a lot with us this afternoon, smiling through her adversity and simply rejoicing in the details of her story.
Quinlan was born at 31 weeks with Triploidy. She has 69 chromosomes versus 46. Most babies with this syndrome are naturally miscarried in the first or second trimester. Those who make it to term (or near) are usually born stillborn. Quinlan was born January 13, 2012! Monday she was taken off of her ventilator and today she was breathing beautifully while laying on her tummy. Rejoice and AGAIN I say REJOICE!
I wasn’t able to photograph Quinlan today as hoped because she had to stay inside her incubator with a cover. I am going back Thursday or Friday to visit and photograph. I cannot wait. Jen and her husband want their story shared. Quinlan is touching lives and needs anyone who knows her story to pray for her.
I did spend time with big sis, Heather, and we photographed some of the special items around Quinlan. Sidenote: Heather is one impressive 8 year old!
There’s been a couple of things I have been praying about and have been trying to determine God’s direction. As I was reading in my YouVersion reading plan a few days ago, I came across an interesting passage in Mark 9.
A man brought his son to Jesus. The problem – the boy was possessed by an evil spirit. A bigger problem – the disciples tried to get rid of the spirit, but couldn’t.
The father is brought to Jesus and He asks the father how long the spirit has tormented the boy. The father answers the question and then says, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
Jesus responds, “If you can? Everything is possible for him who believes.”
Then the father makes a great request of Jesus: “I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief.”
I think all of us have those “if” moments. In our head we know that God is bigger than whatever it is we are facing. He sees more, He knows more, He can look beyond the current situation and can see what is yet to come. We know it in our head; but we don’t always feel it. Our current circumstances and the emotions they stir up can over shadow the truth we know in our head. It is in those moments we may need to repeat the words of this distraught dad – “help me overcome my unbelief.”
After Jesus heals the boy, the disciples come to Him privately and ask why they couldn’t get rid of the spirit. Jesus said, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
Perhaps we need to recognize our continued need to keep our struggles before God in prayer so that He can do what only He can do and we can get the help we need to overcome unbelief.
Thoughts from a Hoosier Fan in the Buckeye Land 