He Holds Me Up

For the past six months, I have watched my daughter as she has suffered, cried, experienced moments of anger – and moments of great strength.  I’ve have watched her fight through this battle for her life – and I have watched her as she overcame this wicked disease known as cancer.  “To God be the glory, for great things He has done.”

Not only have I watched my daughter, I have also watched our family.  I have watched my wife; I have watched my son; I have watched my grandchildren; and, I have watched my son-in-law – it is for him, that I write this post.

Through the multiple surgeries my daughter has endured, I have watched Joel closely.  For most of the surgeries, he and I were the only one’s allowed to go into the prep room with Jenni.  And it was here that my education began.

On February 27th, during Jenni’s final surgery, as she was given medication that knocked her out quickly, one of Jenni’s doctors came in and began asking a series of questions regarding her current medications, what medications she was allergic too, and they began to set a pain management plan in place.  As I sat there dumb-founded by the fact that I was her father; I had raised her for her entire life, yet, I could not answer one single question.  Joel, on the other hand, calmly, methodically, and accurately managed to tell the doctor exactly what medications she was on (as well as the dosage she was taking), he was able to tell the doctor exactly which medications  she was allergic too – and he was also able to tell them which medications would work for Jenni’s pain – and which one’s would not.

While listening to Joel, all I could think was how blessed my daughter was to have Joel as her life partner.  I also began to think how grateful I was to know that I have given my daughter in marriage to a man who has gone to great lengths to know my daughters specific needs.

As I was strolling through some photos today, I came across this photo of Joel holding their daughter Avery, and I thought to myself about the great care he has taken to hold my daughter just as carefully.  What a joy to know that she is in good hands.  And then I thought about how the love and attention to detail that Joel has shown toward my daughter reminds me of the same in our God: How he knows our every need; how He picks us up when we fall, and how He forgives us when we fail.

Isaiah 41:13, “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”