Journal Entry 2/24 From Kristi

In God’s economy, the blessed/ happy heart comes from trusting in the Lord. I see this every day in Zachary.

Yesterday, Zac performed brain surgery alongside Craig Hospital’s Brain Injury specialist Dr. Speir M.D. and Spinal Cord Injury Neurosurgeon Jeffrey Berliner, D.O. (Never mind the fact that it was just a sheep brain they were dissecting. It was such a great experience and definitely a step up from the Biology class I taught him!)

The day before, Zac got to talk with Jason Regier, a Paralympian wheelchair rugby player and eight-time gold medalist who lives here in Denver. A very inspiring conversation. Then in the evening, he and some of his buddies here got a crack at doing their own rugby game!

Today, Zac got to hang out in a hammock for the first time in a very long while. He thoroughly enjoyed it!! He also took several laps around the swimming pool with just a dry snorkel, pool noodle, and water shoes. Best of all, he had music class in which they placed a Bass Guitar back in his arms again and he plucked out some notes. What a beautiful sight to see. And he celebrated it all - not grieving what he could not do, not comparing what he used to do, not fearful of facing what was once easy but now an obstacle.

As I pulled up pictures on my phone to show his therapists pictures of Zac in his hammock camping last summer, wake-surfing behind our boat, playing his bass with his brothers... I had to focus hard not to grieve what’s been lost. But Zac doesn’t grieve. He laughs. He smiles at what he can do and tries harder at what he can’t do. There is no other way to explain it than the Lord’s peace is upon him. It is not happiness born out of good circumstances, but simple joy birthed from deep trials in which the Lord has placed the feet of his faith on a Firm Foundation.

Truly, God makes it simple for us. I just complicate life at times with my fear and moments of doubt.

“Blessed/ happy is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.” Jer. 17:7.

I’m seeing this lived out right before my eyes in the life of my son.

#zacsHope is Jesus