Tyler had a little family gathering today. He sat up in a chair for most of the time, enjoyed a little chicken, potatoes and cake...and even let people take pictures of him! So he had a good little bday party.
I put a pretty lengthy post out there, on this day, last year to tell you a bit about Tyler and this family that surrounds him. But wow, this year has taught me so much more than I could have ever imagined. First, I feel like I never really knew Tyler. I mean, I knew him...but I guess I didn't know what made up that boy we all loved so much. I've said it so many times over the last year, but man, I would have never guessed there was such a strong, brave, fighter under that shy exterior. Quite frankly, there have been many times over this last year that I didn't know if we would see this day, his 19th birthday. But through all the tests and trials, and pain and suffering, Tyler pulls through. Every time, he pulls through.
I know that this can't be by his strength alone. I'm thankful for this great cloud of witnesses that has surrounded us and lifted him up in prayer. And I'm very grateful to my Heavenly Father for answering those prayers. I'm also thankful for his support team (his mom and the rest of "Team Tyler"), as well as amazing nurses and doctors.
And this, this is the biggest thing I've learned this year. I've learned what Moses meant in Psalm 90 when he asked God to teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. I always thought this was a strange prayer. Why would we need to be taught to number our days? Then, tragedy struck and suddenly we were counting minutes and hours and soon days, for Tyler. When life becomes so precious, it begins to put everything in perspective. You forgive more easily, you love more deeply, you become more urgent with what is important. I guess Tim McGraw wasn't the first to sing about it ;)
I thank God for continuing to give Tyler his "tomorrows". I'll continue to pray for more of those, along with his healing, comfort and peace. I'm thankful for Tyler and the blessing he has been to this family for 19 years.
I put a pretty lengthy post out there, on this day, last year to tell you a bit about Tyler and this family that surrounds him. But wow, this year has taught me so much more than I could have ever imagined. First, I feel like I never really knew Tyler. I mean, I knew him...but I guess I didn't know what made up that boy we all loved so much. I've said it so many times over the last year, but man, I would have never guessed there was such a strong, brave, fighter under that shy exterior. Quite frankly, there have been many times over this last year that I didn't know if we would see this day, his 19th birthday. But through all the tests and trials, and pain and suffering, Tyler pulls through. Every time, he pulls through.
I know that this can't be by his strength alone. I'm thankful for this great cloud of witnesses that has surrounded us and lifted him up in prayer. And I'm very grateful to my Heavenly Father for answering those prayers. I'm also thankful for his support team (his mom and the rest of "Team Tyler"), as well as amazing nurses and doctors.
And this, this is the biggest thing I've learned this year. I've learned what Moses meant in Psalm 90 when he asked God to teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. I always thought this was a strange prayer. Why would we need to be taught to number our days? Then, tragedy struck and suddenly we were counting minutes and hours and soon days, for Tyler. When life becomes so precious, it begins to put everything in perspective. You forgive more easily, you love more deeply, you become more urgent with what is important. I guess Tim McGraw wasn't the first to sing about it ;)
I thank God for continuing to give Tyler his "tomorrows". I'll continue to pray for more of those, along with his healing, comfort and peace. I'm thankful for Tyler and the blessing he has been to this family for 19 years.
Never ever give up, buddy! Stay strong!
------------------------------------------------
As for me, I pray the Lord would continue to teach me to number my days.
17 May the favor[a] of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.
As for me, I pray the Lord would continue to teach me to number my days.
Psalm 90
A prayer of Moses the man of God.
1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
3 You turn people back to dust,
saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”
4 A thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.
5 Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—
they are like the new grass of the morning:
6 In the morning it springs up new,
but by evening it is dry and withered.
saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”
4 A thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.
5 Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—
they are like the new grass of the morning:
6 In the morning it springs up new,
but by evening it is dry and withered.
7 We are consumed by your anger
and terrified by your indignation.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.
9 All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.
10 Our days may come to seventy years,
or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
11 If only we knew the power of your anger!
Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
12 Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
and terrified by your indignation.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.
9 All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.
10 Our days may come to seventy years,
or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
11 If only we knew the power of your anger!
Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
12 Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
13 Relent, Lord! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.
Have compassion on your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.
