“To Jace, Keep the Faith! I’m your fan, Christian Colonel, Joshua 1:9”
We immediately looked up the scripture, and the boys took turns swinging the awesome gift. The scripture hit me hard, and as Hayden handed the bat over to Jace, they noticed my tears. “Mom! Are you crying?”
“Nope,” I said. “Not crying.”
“Then why are your eyes wet?”
It’s been almost a source of embarrassment for me over the last months, because now more than ever before I realize the average person doesn’t cry nearly as much as me. I WISH I didn’t cry so easily! It’s SO humiliating sometimes. I find it interesting though that at different times in our lives we “get” different things out of scriptures. On most days, I would read this scripture and see “Be strong…” or “…be not afraid…” but on this particular morning, I read “..neither be thou dismayed.” It jolted me into the realization that I don’t need to be dismayed at the strength I now see in Jace. In the last few weeks we have seen him progress so rapidly; I’ve truly been shocked by our Iron Man. Three weeks ago he couldn’t lift a basketball over his head. Last weekend he was playing “lightening.” Three weeks ago he could barely run. Monday he ran from home plate to 2nd base and made it “SAFE!” Yep, that’s right folks. In his scrimmage game Monday, Jace hit a double! (Ok, he probably hit a single, but made it to 2nd on an error). He was also *beaned* while batting, but you’ll all be impressed that I didn’t freak out, and Jace didn’t complain a bit! He still even has the bruise on his arm!
It IS time once again for that dreaded chemo though. Jace will be on steroids next week, and receive Vincristine in his port. No LP this month though- so no hospital visit. Yay. Jace is just so glad his chemo is at the first of the week, so he can feel better by the time he has another game. We’ve also seen a sprouting of peach fuzz on his cute little head. We’re not sure if it’s chemo hair or real hair, so we’ll keep you posted. It looks like it is brown in places, but in other places it is bright WHITE!
Class photos were this week, but since Jace isn’t going to school, he had mixed emotions about being in the photo. He wondered if the other kids would think it was weird of him to show up for the picture. We assured him he is still a member of the class, and the kids really want to see him. As he brushed his teeth and groomed for the picture that morning, he looked in the mirror at his weird hair. He asked, “Do you think I could wear a hat in the picture mom?” I told him that I thought he could if he wanted to- but I reminded him that he was a good-looking kid with or without hair. On our way out the door I asked if he wanted me to grab a hat. He replied, “Nah. I’m ok.”
And he is. The end of Joshua 1:9 reads, “The Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” I know this is true. I feel it every day. In essence we can “be strong.” We can “have courage,” and we can “be not afraid” because the Lord IS with us. Once again I’ve humbly learned, in our world, there is really no room for dismay.
