Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all of His benefits: He forgives all our iniquities, and heals all our diseases… Psalms 103:2 & 3
Over the last two days Emilie has “stabilized.” Her oxygen levels are holding steady, and though her blood pressure is still low, it’s consistently low. She has gained weight and is now 2 lbs 3 ounces.
She was scheduled to be transferred to the Kaiser Hospital in Hollywood, however complications with her PDA have prevented this transfer. As a result, she will have a ligation performed on her heart tonight at 8pm.
With the prognosis on her mental development still grim, and divine intervention absolutely necessary, the question Holly and I have been wrestling with is, “what is the will of God concerning Emilie?” We are certain she will live and will live abundantly (God’s already confirmed that)… we are less certain of how God will bring about this abundant life.
While we know the “how” is of less importance, our human nature constantly begs the question, “Lord how are you going to do it?” Will He choose to use medical interventions to restore, will He “miraculously” bring her to full recovery independent of any medical assistance (i.e. surgeries), or will He choose a hybrid of sorts?
Case in point, our initial prayer was that God would miraculously close the PDA so we could avoid this surgery all together. However, it appears He is choosing rather to use the doctors hands to address this open valve. While we still believe He is able to close it, it is His prerogative to determine how He will close it.
This truth strikes at the very core of our understanding of God and the role our faith plays in determining the how. While my faith has the right to ask and believe God for anything (see Mark 11:24), does it also have the right to dictate… (wrong word)… to advise God on how to perform that which I ask?
While I would like to think so, this journey has taught me that faith is less about receiving what we ask for, and more about experiencing the One to whom we’ve asked. Trying to dictate the how robs God of the opportunity to showcase His awe-inspiring splendor, and it cheats us of the opportunity to experience the wonder of His majesty. For while I can only see three ways that God can bring abundant life to Emilie Grace, our heavenly Father has 1000 ways to provide for us of which we know nothing.
Thus, Holly and I are sitting on the edge of our seats eagerly anticipating a mighty move of God. And while we would love to dictate the how, we know that God does all things well. Our only prayer is that however He chooses to move, it would be so magnificent it will cause everyone to pause and acknowledge that He is indeed the Great Physician.
Emilie Grace 
May your Faith continue to increase. Blessings you Pastor, Holly, and baby EmilyGrace
He’s able!
GOD is faithful
As I read this blog from you, Pastor Seth, the lyrics of this song came to mind..(I paraphrased the words a bit to pertain to you, Holly and Emilie Grace…
God sees the little sparrow fall,
It meets His tender view;
If God so loves the little birds,
I know He loves her, too.
He paints the lily of the field,
Perfumes each lily bell;
If He so loves the little flow’rs,
I know He loves her well.
God made the little birds and flow’rs,
And all things large and small;
He’ll not forget his little girl,
I know He loves you all.
He loves them, too, He loves them, too,
I know He loves them, too;
Because He loves this family,
I know He loves her, too.
Emilie Grace is a fighter and she is not far from God’s view from up above. Trust and believe that He is DEFINITELY up to something and will get his props when this is all over. With that said, this is my prayer for Emilie…
Dear Jesus, You are the friend of little children. Please abide in the operating room with her right now as she undergoes this surgery. Father, thank you for the unrelenting faith that Holly and Pastor Seth have in you right now regarding their gift i.e. Emilie. This is a trying time for her and her parents but through it all You have been faithful. May this surgery bring good results after its completion and may the medical staff in the operating room say that Emilie is truly your daughter.
Thank you for your answer to this prayer in advance.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Prayer is invading the impossible!!! Praise Jesus. God has his will and will reveal his purpose to you as parents and even now through your story someone is being saved and His purpose is beginning. We are humans and can never understand everything but hold on to Him. Satan is already defeated.
Prayer is invading the impossible!!! Praise Jesus. God has His will and will reveal His purpose to you as parents and even now through your story, someone is being saved and His purpose is beginning. We are humans and can never understand everything but hold on to Him. Satan is already defeated.
God is able to do just what he said he will do. He’s gonna come thru because there are no other options. God said ask in his name a d that he will do. God will show up and show out like he has done so many times before. We serve a mighty God. Hold on and don’t give up because our Heavenly Father will grant the miracle we are all praying for.
Blessings with love:)
Amen
I can so relate to being in a state of anticipation of what God will do in my life. My prayers are with you, your wife & Emile Grace. May God’s grace be afforded to you all. Yes! God indeed has a plan for Emile’s life & He will accomplish His purpose in her life. Hold on in there my brother!
God be with you.
For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it. -Habakkuk 1:5 NLT.
I’m praying for you all and this situation.
-Holly
Dear Seth and Holly, “For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8), He will show Himself faithful. Trust Him for His outcome. Love to you all.
Hi, seeing her little hand hold your hand (finger) makes me think of us holding GODS big hand. Amazing how that picture explains in my mind how GOD is RIGHT there taking care of us like you and Holly are for Emily. This journey of you guys has helped us all see and experience God answering everybody’s prayers for Emilie Grace.
God knows what is best for each one of us and I’m confident that he will do what is best for little Emilie. She is impacting lives all our the world. God knows what he is doing and all He ask from us is to believe and to trust Him.
Praise God!! Emilie Grace is ‘gaining’ ground with each pound. We join you in “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” Ephesians 6:18
Pastor, I am so moved at your new role as Dad! Seeing the progress that Emilie is making continues to strengthen my belief in our Father. My prayer still remains ‘Thy Will be done’. Oh, and the moving photo of Emilie gripping your finger should be enlarged, framed and hung. Beautiful!!
Praising God for what He has already done (past, present, future). Know that with God, the word DONE is perfect-all encompassing-even when we have yet to see it.
Dear Seth and Holly, I am thinking of you this morning and want to share this thought from my devotions: Since God is infinite, “impossibilities” are His specialty. He delights in them because they display His Glory so vividly. They also help you to live the way He intended: in joyful, trusting dependence on Him.
Hold to your audacious faith in our God who specializes in impossibilities. May you rest in His unfailing love as He upholds you and Emilie with His righteous right hand. Much love to you.
Thank you for continuing to share. I’ve been praying for wisdom for the meical team, and for Emilie to grow, gain weight, get stronger and be healed. I’ve been praying for you and Holly to stay strong in faith and be at peace. Be encouraged! HE is able to exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think according to HIS power at work within us! 🙂
Camille
“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.” Jeremiah 29:11
We know that His plans are far beyond what we can even imagine. We just have to trust Him and follow as He leads. Who knows where this journey will take us. We must keep our Hope alive.Our prayers are continually with you, Holly and Emillie-Grace. Be of good courage and keep looking up.
Baby Emilie Grace is in my prayers!!!! Knowing that our God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above ALL that We can Ask or Think!!!! My daughter name is Radiant Jones. Our baby, Aerione Soleil Jones is a a Miracle God has blessed us with! Healing, wholeness, of body, mind, soul, and spirit is the children’s bread!!!! Thank God that Emilie Grace has praying parents who trust God wholeheartedly!!!! Look Up Your Redemption Draws Nigh! Much Love
It’s inspiring to see such unwavering faith in action.