WFW: Stick Close, My Friend

"There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24

You probably all recognize Little Guy in this picture, but the other member of the family that you haven't met is "Soft Tailed Baby". Soft Tailed Baby joined our family when Little Guy was only about 10 weeks old. He was born with esophagus problems which meant he had to be hospitalized for an extended stay. Hubs' office sent Little Guy this sweet little leopard with a big bunch of balloons attached. Little Guy would sit and stare at those balloons and just touch the soft fur of the leopard. When we came home with the NG feeding tube, Little Guy would endure the weeks of feedings, tube placement checks and a anxious mom by staring at those balloons and touching that little leopard.

Little Guy is now seven and he and Soft Tailed Baby are still "buddies". Especially when Little Guy isn't feeling well or is tired. I remember the first time Little Guy was old enough to be aware when I had to give Baby a bath in the washing machine. He was frantic that Baby was going to drown. I literally had to hold his head above water and hold his nose while dunking him under the water to make sure he got a proper bath.

God comforts me the same way that Baby comforts my Little Guy. He is willing to listen when I am distraught. He talks when I need help or words or love and encouragement. He gives me a shoulder to cry on or His big arms when I need a hug. He holds my hand when I am scared. And I believe He jumps up and down in excitement when I am excited about something.

I have also discovered that God has given me friends to stick close to me as well. This week I made a decision that I have regretted. I second guessed myself in blogging about a prayer request that I wanted you guys to pray with me about. The reason I did this was because the last time I shared with all of you about a prayer request, I received a rebuke from someone in my family who felt I should just get a journal and quit sharing my life on my blog. When this situation came up this week, I decided not to post my request because I didn't want to frustrate my family member. However, what happened was I went through the experience without all the support I knew I would have had. (Trust me, I had support from my husband, wonderful sister and best friend.)

Despite the fact that most of us have never met, when I have my prayer time I spend time praying for Black Betty and Alice's babies, Willow and Wifey's new job-to-be, Sandi's new job, Mayberry's health, Felicity and Wyatt's new relationship with God, Lizzy's financial situation, Belle's approaching one year death of her father and so many, many more.

So, now I tell you, my friends who stick close. Last night the doctors called and told us that the tests are ALL CLEAR! Praise God! Big Guy had a tumor removed from behind his ear two years ago and he had been having some symptoms over the past week that led us and the doctors to be concerned that it could be growing back, but this time underneath the skull instead of outside like before. We had scans run this morning and when they called tonight they said that there were no tumors, no brain bleeds and no signs of problems. Have I said "Praise God" yet? They told us to come Thursday to check for possible nerve involvement from the previous surgery that might be causing the symptoms, but THAT I can handle much more than our previous fears.

Thank you my blogging friends. For being here even when you didn't know you were. And for the small group of you who actually knew about what was going on and kept me sane the last two days. Thank you for truly sticking closer than a brother.

My God is great and greatly to be praised!!