1 Year + 100 Days

Prior to reading, please read my disclaimer.

1 year ago today, it had been 100 days since Elisha's accident. I had told myself then, if we can make it 100 days, we can make it. And we did. And now here we are, not only did we make it the 100 days, we've made it 1 year PLUS 100 days. I thought it was fitting to share what I wrote one year ago today.... but before I do, I need to write this.... in the last year, I have felt and overcome a great depression brought on from the anxiety and trauma of the accident. While in the midst of it, I realized WE DON'T TALK about mental health like we should. I consider myself an intelligent person.  I have had to work HARD to overcome it through prayer, counseling, and true family and friends. So, 1 year ago when I wrote this, now reading it again, I probably had not reached the true weight of the situation. But I am happy to report, that now again, 1 year PLUS 100 days later, IT IS WELL. Enjoy :)

100 days - It Is Well

The song "It is Well" (With My Soul) has resinated with me for the last 100 days. I have sang it or listened to it or merely read the words I memorized long ago, nearly everyday, sometimes numerous times. This has always been a favorite of mine, in fact I made a painting of it several years ago and it's the first thing you see upon entering my front door.

"When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul."

In addition to this song, I have grown to love the story involving Elisha's namesake the Prophet Elisha from 2nd Kings.

Read 2 Kings 4:8-37 for the full story. (preacher friends... Don't read it too closely...this is My summary): The Shunammite woman is described as a wealthy married woman in the village of Shunem. She had no child. This woman got permission from her husband to set up a guest room for Elisha, acknowledging Elisha as a true prophet and holy man of God. Elisha often passed that way in his travels, and he stayed in the guest room.

Elisha asked his servant, Gehazi, how he could help the woman in return for her hospitality. Gehazi mentioned that she had no son and her husband was old. Elisha then called the woman and told her she would have a son by that time next year.

The prophecy was fulfilled, and the woman had a child...a son.... Several years later, the son was working with his father in the field and was cut on the head by a thresher. He was sent back to his mother, and he died that same day in his mother’s lap. She requested a donkey to leave on and when the servant asked he why she was leaving and inquired of something was wrong she replied, "It is well." She immediately left to find Elisha and asked him to come heal her son. When Elisha saw her coming, he sent his servant to meet her and ask her if everything was alright. She aging replied, "It is well." After a few times of asking the peophet to come with her....Elisha came back with the woman to Shunem.

From scripture heres what happened next: “When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the LORD. Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. And he called Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite woman.” And when she came in to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” So she went in, fell at his feet, and bowed to the ground; then she picked up her son and went out."

Hold the presses! How could she have said “It is well” when it wasn’t?!? Her only son had just died in her arms, yet she spoke not a word about it. “It is well, it is well” were the only words she said as she ran to the prophet Elisha.

A few things in the story of the Shunamite woman stand out to me.

- The way she told everyone “it is well” when it really wasn’t.

- There were different people running or going somewhere quickly – without slowing down, not even to speak to anyone, nor did they allow themselves to get distracted – running with a message or matter... running with a purpose.

-Her persistence in keeping Elisha at her house and persistence again in refusing to return home without Elisha going with her.

-Her faith in the Power of God (She didn’t doubt, complain, or give up)

-Her boldness – before Elisha, the king, her husband, and in her words.

-Her authority in her orders and her words

Its also interesting to me that Elisha didn’t know something,....why? I'd think a prophet would know it all, but here its clear that for some reason, the Lord hid something from Elisha. I think this is because we are all called to seek God first and not people. This glorifies the Lord, and not man. I love the Prophet Elisha’s persistence in prayer and seeking the Lord in order for the boy to come back to life- he didn’t give up on the first try.

Y'all...... if you are still reading this know that I didn't mean to write a novel. But for 100 days, since Elisha's accident, since that very first night after trauma surgery, sitting beside his bed in PICU, I have read this scripture. I have sang that song. I have been overwhelmed with gratitude for the love, support, and prayer we have been shown. I haven't always been able to say this.... but today....100 days later, even if it doesn't always feel like it.... hear me say.... "It is well."

And 1 year and 100 days later hear me say ...... "It is well."