Good evening friends, I hope this message finds you doing well.  This weeks post is very real and personal to me, and is a testament that love will conquer all.  This message is intended  to be encouragement to anyone that has or is battling with the health issues of a loved one.

One year ago today my oldest son Emmanuel was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with Guillian Barre Syndrome or GBS.  GBS as defined by the Mayo clinic is a rare disorder in which your body’s immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in your extremities are usually the first symptoms.  These sensations can quickly spread, eventually paralyzing your whole body. In its most severe form Guillain-Barre syndrome is a medical emergency. Most people with the condition must be hospitalized to receive treatment.

My son had just started middle school, and was playing fall baseball and enjoying his days as an adolescent 11 year old boy when life came at him and our whole family and tested every fiber of our character, beliefs, and patience.  Emmanuel which means “God with us” spent a duration of 10 days in the hospital, 5 of which were in the ICU under the wonderful care of St. Louis children’s hospital.  These 10 days seemed like an entire month or longer, and the process of healing and restoration followed us long after we were released from the hospital as we had to band together as a family and care for Emmanuel as he progressed daily.

The blessing is that in less than a years time Emmanuel has made a full recovery, and has no permanent or short term physical effects of GBS whatsoever.  This process (though unwarranted for the worst the worst enemy) allowed me to grow personally, spiritually, and emotionally as I had to be strong  and faithful.

So what did I learn from this experience?  Many things, however for the focus of this reading there is only one message:

Some days are tough, and some days will be tougher…but still I, he, we, must find a way to rise.  When tested in life we often ask why or how something could happen, and exactly why us?  The answer to the question may be revealed to you, or you could live a lifetime questioning why certain things are as they are and never find the answer.  My advice for anyone facing adversity it to accept the situation, identify a solution, and work relentlessly towards a better result.

When life gives you lemons, be sure to say thank you.  Because your story may help someone else progress along their journey.

“that which does not kill us, makes us stronger” – Friedrich Nietzsche

make the rest of your life, the best of your life