Not Just Another Birthday

Isaiah 41:13 (TLB) " I am holding you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God—and I say to you, Don’t be afraid; I am here to help you."

On December 30th my husband, Brian, turned 37 years old.  For most, they would not have thought much about this particular birthday but for me I consider each and every birthday he celebrates a precious event.  Over seven years ago I stood beside his bed at Wake Med Heart Center as several of the best cardiologists in the country explained there was nothing more they could do to help Brian.  I also remember them explaining to us that Brian would not survive longer than 6 months without receiving a heart transplant for his heart was only functioning at 5-7%.  I remember feeling so helpless and the realization of life without Brian settling in on me like an elephant on my chest. 

God gave us Isaiah 41;13 in the very beginning of our journey and we held to it every single day.  To this day I have moments when I still squeeze my right hand until it is white for I know He is holding it.  He really has NEVER left us and even in the most frightening times of our lives He has helped us. Brian's heart began to strengthen and improve, which doctors explain is medically impossible, and now his heart function is over 35%!  Again, humans cannot begin to imagine or understand what God is capable of doing.

So as we celebrated the 8th birthday since Brian's diagnosis with heart failure we didn't take it for granted for we understood it is a gift from the Lord!