God’s blessings | Beneath My Heart

The Story I Shared with Layla in Nashville

11:14 pm

Last month, I had the honor of spending the day with one of my favorite people in the world!

This beautiful lady and I did a little Christmas shopping together.

And if that wasn’t enough of a treat, Layla and I got to spend 4 hours chatting it up at Starbucks with the fabulous Angie Smith!

I know! Pinch me!!!!

It was such a special day, and I didn’t want it to end.

While at Starbucks, I shared a story with Layla and Angie about my oldest son, Jonathan.

It was the story that Layla was referring to in this post.

I shared with them the day that I found out how my oldest son, Jonathan, only 3 years old at the time, had moderate to severe hearing loss in both his ears.

I was pregnant with Luke at the time, and I had taken Jonathan to the doctor because he wasn’t hearing well. I thought he might have fluid on his ears. When the nurse told me that he didn’t have any fluid on his ears, I was confused and worried. They took that sweet little 3 year old in a sound proof room and did more testing on his hearing. The nurse informed me after the testing was complete that Jonathan had a hearing loss and would probably need to wear a “device.” (aka: hearing aid)

My thoughts ran wild.

Would he lose all of his hearing someday?

Would he not be able to talk well?

Would he not be able to hear me say “I love you.”

My thoughts immediately went to the worse case scenario. It was a very emotional day.

I went home that night and wrote in a journal that I keep for Jonathan. It is full of little notes that I write to him every once in a while. (I have a journal for each of my boys.)

I’m sorry my handwriting is so sloppy and my spelling isn’t the best. (I must have been in a hurry or really tired.) But I don’t care. I am so glad that I have this day documented in writing for Jonathan to see. And for me to look back on and see how God’s hand has worked in Jonathan’s life over the past 10 years.

I wanted to share with you what I wrote that day. I hope you are able to read it.

God is so good!

Jonathan is still full of personality and a definite “people person.”

And he still loves to sing more than anything!

He was so excited when Layla asked him to sing on her blog today.

And it was so perfect for him to sing the song he sang.

If you missed Jonathan singing, click HERE to view it on Layla’s blog.

Jonathan has worn hearing aids for the past 10 years, and for the most part, he has not lost anymore of his hearing.

Singing is his passion! We thank God everyday for the God-given gift of his voice!

I want to say a special thank you to Layla (and Kevin!).

They have blessed our family in so many ways, and we are so

thankful to have them in our lives!

Tweet This Post

Wednesdays with Wanda

11:30 pm

This post will not be a tear-jerker…I promise.

I know my Wednesday with Wanda post last week was an emotional one. Thank you for all of your sweet comments and emails. You have no idea how much they mean to me.

Thank you for celebrating my son getting his new hearing aids with me. It was such a bittersweet day. If you missed last week’s post, which for me was one of the most special ones I have ever written, you can read about it HERE.

Since I made so many of you cry last week, I decided to share something not as emotional. :)

This week, I wanted to share with you something Mom had written in the front of her Bible.

It is a list of scriptures to “call upon” when needed. I have found it very helpful to me. I thought maybe you would too. If you find yourself today in any of the situations listed below, I want to encourage you to take a few minutes today to read the corresponding scripture that goes with it. I pray you would find comfort in God’s living word.

When there is sorrow…Call John 14

When men fail you…Call Psalm 27

If you want to be fruitful…Call John 14

When you have sinned…Call Psalm 51

When you worry…Call Matthew 6:19-34

When you are in danger…Call Psalm 91

When God seems far away…Call Psalm 139

When your faith needs stirring…Call Hebrews 11

When you are lonely or fearful…Call Psalm 23

When you grow bitter or critical…Call 1 Corinthians 13

For Paul’s secret of happiness…Call Colossians 3:12-17

When you feel down and out…Call Romans 8:31-39

When you want rest and peace…Call Matthew 11:25-30

When the world seems bigger than God…Call Psalm 90

When you want Christian assurance…Call Romans 8:1-30

When you leave home for labor or travel…Call Psalm 121

When you prayers grow narrow and selfish…Call Psalm 67

For a great invitation and opportunity…Call Isaiah 55

When you want courage for a task…Call Joshua 1

How to get along with fellow men…Call Romans 12

When you think of investments and returns…Call Mark 10

If you are depressed…Call Psalm 27

If your pocketbook is empty…Call Psalm 37

If you are losing your confidence in people…Call 1 Corinthians 13

If people seem unkind…Call John 15

If you are discouraged about your work…Call Psalm 126

If you find the world growing small and yourself great…Psalm 19

While writing this post, I have been reading through some of the scriptures written above and listening to Amy Grant’s newest CD, Somewhere down the Road, which I love.

And my heart is filled to overflowing…

May you feel God’s presence in your life today.

Blessings,

Traci