To My Church Family

This past week Eli spent four days in the hospital, due to complications from RSV. His cough was so bad that he was throwing up anything he ate, and so he finally just stopped eating. When we got to the ER, he was so dehydrated that it took five times to get his IV in because his veins kept collapsing. Seeing your little baby go through something like that is horrifying, as so many can attest.

I stayed with Eli in the hospital, never leaving his side, which meant that I didn’t see Callie Grace or Justus. Since nobody prepares for these things, I had nothing lined up as far as meals, childcare, etc. Philip took the brunt of the stress, trying to be everywhere he was needed, and as usual never complaining about anything. But here’s the remarkable thing:

In those four days, my church family stepped in, in an incredible way. Callie and Justus were loved on and spoiled, completely taken care of by many amazing people, food was supplied, laundry was done, the house was cleaned, and all of this without ever having to ask. Eli and I had over 50 visitors and I was well taken care of with Starbucks, food, and love. Philip and I received countless messages of encouragement and support, and the number of prayers that were said for Eli was truly something to behold.

I would like to say that I was able to witness to many while in the hospital, but the truth is, my church family, you were the witness. You were the love of Christ in action. You amazed the nurses and the rest of the staff with your love for us. I may have invited them to church, but they were able to see in you a true community of believers that gave them a reason to be vulnerable and come.

I truly don’t know how people experience all that life brings, the good and the bad, without a church family. I have never felt more loved, more of a sense of belonging to something so much greater than myself, than I do now.