Not the BEST day

     I am writing this from a hospital room at 1:45 IN THE MORNING.  I can't sleep and for some reason my legs are killing me.  I sure the pain is minimal compared to what my little Shelby went through this morning.

This morning she woke up and came downstairs.  She had a really croupy cough and she was complaining that it really hurt to cough.  I was getting ready to exercise, the video was ready to go.  But, I stopped and went up to the kitchen.

I always remember my mom saying when we were little and we had a cough like that, the doctor's advise was put us in the bathroom and make it steamy.  The theory behind that being the warm, moist air would loosen the cough.

So, I put some water and sea salt in a mug and put it in the microwave for 3 minutes.  I took it down to her.  She was sitting on the couch where I was going to exercise and she was waiting for me to come back.  

I gave her the mug and told her to put her blanket over her head and breath in the warm air.  I was already exercising when she said it wasn't working.

I stopped and went to get the mug from her.  She was holding part of the mug with her blanket, so when I pulled the blanket off her head, the hot water went down her chest, over her stomach, down to the unmentionable area and onto the top of her legs.

Instantly, as she was ripping her clothes off, her skin was coming off too.

We rushed her to the ER.  She was given morphine for the pain and then admitted.  

They had to scrub her to get the dead skin off.  They then applied some salve and bandages  to all the areas possible.  She has 2nd degree burns on, I think they said 11%, of her body.

She is resting comfortable now thanks to the pain medication.  She did throw up a few times because of the medication.  But, as the night wore on, she ate and overall felt really good.

I feel like a big jerk.  I know it was an accident but it's really hard not to think about what I should have done differently.

 I set my alarm this morning and got up to spend some time reading my Bible and praying.  I haven't been able to do this much since we returned from China because I am up so many times during the night, that in the morning, I sleep until the kids wake up.   Emme is sleeping better now, so I need to get back in the habit of doing this.  I don't do it out of obligation.  I do it because I love it.  I love reading God's word and praying.  I love that he speaks to me from his Word.  I love that the Word of God is like an onion and the layers keep peeling and the learning and the amazement of His word never stops, but it becomes deeper.

I thought it ironic that on all the days for this to happen. My days are usually much better after spending time with Him.  I am sure the Lord knew ahead of time that I would need it.  And, as I was sitting in the ER in a state of panic, I felt the Lord speak to me and tell me, "I use these things to shape character."

And, while it doesn't seem quite fair that it wasn't me instead of her, I have to trust the Lord.  He sees the big picture.  And, while anything painful is never pleasant, beautiful things often result.  A pearl is a painful grain of sand to a clam before it is a pearl.  An exquisite diamond is a lump of coal before it becomes an expensive gem.  And, how many stories have you heard of successful people having to triumph over all types of hardship and struggle before they are the people we read about?

I will be the first to admit that I would avoid pain and suffering at all costs.  Unfortunately, it is and will always be part of this life.  But, fortunately, when you have a relationship with the creator of the universe and his son Jesus, you have the promise of living without all this one day.  And, even while we are here, we can cling to other promises.

Jeremiah 29:11 

 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God

One final thought... this isn't in the Bible, but maybe it should be.  KIDDING!  KIDDING!

People are like tubes of toothpaste, when the pressure is on, what's inside is going to come out.

I have always, always known that Shelby was/is a special little girl.  There's something uniquely wonderful about her.  And, to see who she really is today was a little gift in the middle of a rough situation.  

She refused to let me cry.  She said, "I am not going to let you beat yourself up over this mom.  It was an accident."  She has been kind and polite to everyone.  She has been gushing with thankfulness to her visitors and in response to all the emails and messages of people praying for her.  She has told me she loves me 1,000 times.  

She is a beautiful little girl and I have always thought it a privilege to call her mine... even more so today.