And though she be little, she is fierce

Yesterday we headed to Tulsa for Madilyn's preop visit, for her upcoming sedated MRI. Although we knew it would be a pretty easy visit, I still had a few stomach drops on our way there. It's almost impossible not to think of last years trip up to the children's hospital. Of course Maddie had not a worry in the world. She sat in her chariot, (car seat) and pointed forward we go!

I know we all experience lessons that are taught by our children. But I can't believe all that I've learned from Maddie within only 17 months. She has taught us about strength, hope, happiness and how to have the courage of a baby, which until recently, I wouldn't have thought that courage would be more than a grown adult. 

Although I know she probably doesn't remember a whole lot of last year, I do know that she knows what a doctors office is, and what usually happens when we go to 1 of the 6 doctors she sees. She knows that it's time for her to be poked around on and machines hooked up to her. And yet when walking into that big, Goliath like children's hospital, she held onto her daddy's hand and marched forward. I walked behind them while I was trying to get all our paperwork together, and her bag full of goodies, and being some what worried that I forgot something or that we were going to be late. My head was filled with the worry and anxiety of the day. Once I felt I had everything I looked up to them ahead of me. And there she was, ready to take on whatever the day brought. She had faith and courage like David. It didn't matter how big the hospital was, or how big this disease is she was marching forward, not thinking of the past. Only thinking of today.  

Philippians 3:13-14

13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Madilyn is teaching me that although the past is very real, I need to stop dwelling on it. I need to not forget the prize that lies ahead. I need to have strength, courage, and faith and know that whatever is ahead of us is the plan that God has for our family. I do believe that we are on this path for a reason and I pray that  we can Glorify His name in all we do. The fear of the past will hold me back from this. So I'm letting go and marching forward to the race He has set before me. It just took a little 17 month old girl to teach me that...