Yesterday we rode our bikes to the playground and back. A trivial story, right? You have done this with your child a thousand times. But I had to ask for Jesus’ blessing for this as well, because I have learned that without Him I am not capable of anything. I asked for His blessing and protection, because a variety of things could pose as a threat even in a seemingly simple situation like this.
Before that I used to put on my boxing gloves, and out of defiance I headed out for a walk with the stroller, but I kept thinking about how far I was from the house and how fast I could get home if something got stuck in Vince’s tracheostomy tube. More than once I had to stop in the middle of the street, and in the midst of all the people I had to muster all my strength up to safely suction a mucus plug out of the trach. I had to pay attention not to push the suction catheter too far down, because the mucus plugs are sticky here. If I suction going too far down, creating a large vacuum, then I can even suction blood from the trach, because this sticky substance is stuck to the trachea, and I cannot see when the suctioning power catches it exactly. At a time like this I can even tear a piece of dermis from the wall of the larynx, and then I don’t only suction secretion but blood as well. Can you imagine that I am standing in a crowded street, people all around me; I am sweating as the suction machine is buzzing, I stick the suction catheter into Vince’s trach, people are staring, watching what’s happening, and I am anxious about not having any problems right at that moment.
So yesterday we took our bikes out and I put Vince into the child seat. We knew this size wasn’t right for him anymore, because he cannot bend his legs. As I was dressing him, I asked for Jesus’ blessing, to accompany us to the playground and back. While I was getting ready, I thought about taking two cloth diapers with me, perhaps they would be good for Vince’s feet, so they wouldn’t get hit against the edge of the child seat footrest as they dangled. What is blessed by God can be very smooth and simple!
I put Vince into the child seat, but I saw that his feet were hanging down too far. So the problem wasn’t only that they hit the footrest of the seat, but that I couldn’t pedal, because the pedals touched his feet as well. Upon divine inspiration, using the cloth diapers I tied his little feet to my seat along the frame, so his legs were straight as he sat. So while pedaling, his feet were not in the way at all, and sitting became even more comfortable for him, because they were not strained from the hips, and they were not dangling wryly.
Jesus is very prudent, and with his quiet love He thinks of everything! When we left, He gave us little clouds, so we wouldn’t burn in the scorching Sun until we got to the playground. Vince was whooping while bicycling, because he enjoyed the speed, his hair was blowing in the wind, and he knew we had a very important mission, because soon he was going on the slide with his Dad.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:12-13
We received divine protection, because we only took a small battery-operated suction machine and a small bottle of water in case I needed to do any suctioning (so I could clean the tube of the suction catheter). I talked to Jesus, saying that I wouldn’t take an emergency kit (small pair of scissors, spare trach, an extra band to hold the trach, disinfectant gel, brush to clean the trach with), and we would not be carrying a spare suction machine either, this way we would be completely relying on Him. I asked Him to protect us, to make sure we wouldn’t need any of these things. By the time I pack up everything for a ten-minute bike ride, I carry things, I worry for things not to get damaged during the ride, I’d rather give up all this torment, because I realize it’s just not worth it. So we headed out, free as birds, with only one suction machine, and we enjoyed the pleasure of bicycling, with ease, as others do it without a care in the world.
If you think you can do anything out of your own power, next time reevaluate this view of yours. I have already learned the lesson, only God is able to provide. I know that physically I was the one who had to pedal all the way to the playground, I had to carry Vince in my arms to the slide, and I had to pedal all the way back home as well. However, without Jesus’ prudent blessings, things could have ended differently. He is the one who provides protection, gives the kind of gifts without which I couldn’t even take a breath. If you have doubt in your heart, just ask yourself this question: who breathes when you are asleep? Your body obeys a divine command and you are given air. Thanks to Him, He doesn’t only provide while sleeping, but He carries us in the palm of His hands during a simple bike ride to the playground, and He bestows upon us His loving care!
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8
Ps: Just a bit of additional information: during our biking and playground time I didn’t have to suction Vince’s trach once. Glory to the Lord!!
