What can separate us from the love of God?

Sonia just awakened from a nap and began cooing contentedly and softly; she studies the hand that wears a sock intended to keep her from pulling on her PICC line. She lays in her hospital bed. a bed we had all hoped she would have vacated by now.

The antibiotics seem to be doing their job, as the swelling in her foot and leg has gone down significantly. However, she has had a fever both of the last two nights. The wonderful staff here are doing various tests to see if they can pinpoint the cause of these fevers. I pray that they do, and that it's something quickly and easily taken care of. we all want her to be able to get out of here to stay at her host family's house for the duration of her treatment!

I don't know why there have been so many hurdles and setbacks. i don't know why this can't just be simple and quick. What exactly is God doing? Something bigger than i can understand, that's for sure! this morning when i came back to the hospital after spending the day yesterday with a friend of mine and then spending the night at the Gemmens, i held her in my arms and spoke with one of her doctors. After the doctor left, i finally did what i've been almost afraid to do ever since the first night she was admitted. i pressed my face against her little head resting against my chest, and i cried out to God. I let the tears for this little girl fall that i'd been holding back. it's not that i haven't been praying for Sonia; it's that i sometimes kept myself at arms' length when i did in order to maintain composure. Don't ask me why i did that, cause i don't know; God definitely didn't ask any of us to do this alone! an unknown is once again before us (when she will be discharged/what is causing these fevers); but unknowns do not make God any less powerful. In fact, it is at these times that His strength is best displayed. as the saying goes, 'It is on the darkest night that the stars shine the brightest.' Standing there with tears on my cheeks and begging God to heal her body was cleansing. And turning it over go God once again brought peace.

I don't know why i'm writing with this kind of detail. I usually don't make feelings like this public. Maybe i am doing so because this is not my personal struggle; there are countless prayers from so many people that are being lifted to heaven on behalf of Sonia. People everywhere have been touched by her story. Ones who have never met her - and may never meet her - have given of themselves to show love in various, awesome ways to this little girl.  

i have been reminded that there is nothing that is outside the realm of God's power. Some verses came to mind while writing this:

Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


Beside me, Sonia contentedly coos, kicks her little legs, and sucks her finger. This little girl is anything but separated from the love of God, and i believe that God has big plans for her!