A Quick but Important Post..

I've been following a blog highlighting the life of the Stanfield family for the past few months. A summary that in no way covers the extent of what this family has endured has been copied from their blog (written by Kenzie... the mom) and follows...

I'm a 28 year-old wife to a wonderful husband, Dusty, and mother to two beautiful little boys~ one 2-year-old sweetie Deacon, and one tiny baby in Heaven. Maddox Donald Stanfield was born January 23rd, 2008... He looked at his earthly daddy's face, and then straight into his Heavenly Daddy's one. He had Trisomy 18 and Spina Bifida.

I visited her site the other day to see how she is doing and to see if there were any specific prayer requests posted that I could include as I pray for her and her family. What I found however caused me to stop instantly and contemplate many a thing. Mostly- my attitudes, actions and priorities.

I've since contacted Kenzie and she has graciously allowed me to repost her post here and link back to her site for any of you that would like to include her family in her prayers. If you read this blog you are WELL AWARE of the fact that I truly believe in the power of prayer and all that is available through the God we serve.

Here is Kenzie's post:

On the Other Side...

If I were on the other side of this blog and hadn't walked this journey,

I would still be acting like I had it all together....
I would still be worrying about my house being clean instead of sitting on the floor and playing with my child....
I would still be easily sidetracked with the latest news or Hollywood gossip instead of investing in mine and others' eternity....
I would still be thinking about how mundane my days can become instead of how lucky I am to be home and watch my child grow....
I would still be concerned about how close my children are in age instead of how much they could love each other....
I would still be frustrated when my child is sick or needy instead of how thankful I am to have a healthy child that can challenge me....
I would still be talking a hundred miles an hour instead of listening to truly understand....
I would still be saying I am going to pray for you and getting too busy and forget....
I would still be worrying about my agenda for life instead of listening to God's.

If I were on the other side of this blog, I would think "she sure has been through a lot" and "I feel so sorry for them" and quietly be so thankful that it wasn't happening to me.

But then...I wouldn't have been blessed to see the face of my second son.
I wouldn't have known such tremendous love and such devastating loss.
I wouldn't have been able to see how the Lord can work through such uncertain times.
I wouldn't have been brought to my knees and my face in prayer.
I wouldn't have had this heart for families that have lost a child.
I wouldn't have known what it meant to truly long for Heaven.
I wouldn't have understood peace that passes all understanding.
I wouldn't have met such amazing people that have strengthened and sustained me.
I wouldn't have been overwhelmingly surrounded by friends and family.
I wouldn't have known the meaning of being united in everything with my husband.
I wouldn't have had such a beautiful way to share about Heaven with Deacon.
I wouldn't have witnessed how God can dramatically answer prayer.
I wouldn't have been on the receiving end of such love and service to our family.
I wouldn't have realized how short, yet precious life can be.
I wouldn't have understood what Christ means by trusting Him in all circumstances.
I wouldn't have felt the Lord carry us as we persevere under trial.
I wouldn't have been able to share our testimony of His faithfulness with so many people....
I simply wouldn't have understood how God's plan could be fulfilled through a baby that just lived an instant...
I wouldn't have known my Maddox.

If I were on the other side of this blog, I would still be a mother, a wife, a daughter, a friend that sought to understand suffering and trials... Now I can be that person, because I do.

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will received the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."- James 1:12