Every year on this day I reflect back on the day when our doctor called us into his office and told us Maddy wasn't going to make it. I also reflect on God's grace, mercy, and healing for Maddy. I also reflect on God's grace and for me and Aaron and his blessing of giving us a gift beyond what we could have asked for or imagined. About a month or so ago we talked about making decisions and pursuing our goals and dreams in one of our Sunday school classes. Most of us agreed that the percentage of people who actually get to fulfill what they dream of is very low. There are so many dreams that go unfullfilled for so many reasons. However, this class also made me realize how amazing it is that when we trust in God we often get something so much better than we ever dreamed, even if it doesn't seem like it right away. Having a child with arthrogryposis certainly wansn't my dream for my life. (It certainly wasn't a nightmare either. I didn't even know it existed until we had Maddy.) I can truly and honestly say that through Maddy, God has given us so much more than we ever dreamed of. Through Maddy, God has changed our focus about what is important in life, given us priceless relationships with our friends in Dallas and strengthened our family relationships, and strengthened our relationship with Him. This year specifically, God has revealed so much about his grace to me through Maddy. A lot of times when people have disabilities or illnesses it leads to questioning God. Is he loving? Is he just? Does he really care? Is he really merciful and compassionate? Believe me, I have had these questions at points along our journey. Through this past year I have realized that because Maddy is here, because God loves her, because so many Christian families show love to her and our family through prayer and support every day that Maddy's existence is actually a confirmation of God's grace. Only a gracious God would allow someone with "imperfections" to exist. A world without grace looks like a Nazi concentration camp. It would be a world where people with "imperfections" would be wiped out. There would be no toleration for those who did not meet the standard. It is hard to explain, but Maddy's life has come to be a symbol of the grace of God to me.
I feel like we don't thank everyone often enough for praying for us, being there for us, and supporting us. All of you are such an important part of Maddy's life and our family's life. Each one of you who has prayed, brought meals in time of need, been a listening ear, or simply enjoyed spending time with our family and having your kids hang out with Maddy has been a tremendous blessing to us. Realize there are no words to express just how much your support, prayer, and friendship mean.
Today we give thanks that Maddy is growing, flourishing mentally and emotionally, and gaining incredible ground physically.
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