Both of our children have Cystic Fibrosis, an inherited disease with no cure. It affects their sinuses, lungs, gastrointestinal system, weight, eating, activities, friendships and their future; it affects everything really. As a family we battle the ups and downs of the disease and its emotional toll, but as individuals they live with its impact.
CFers do not gather to meet (cross-contamination risks are too high), and it is a rare disease (approx. 1 in 3500 people) so our support comes from online sites and chat rooms with CFers and families around the world. Every day there are notices of those who have “earned their wings” and prayers for those going in and coming out of hospital, those receiving transplants and those celebrating birthdays (a true celebration with this disease). Like so many others who share the journey of this condition, my children embody the words “endurance” and “maturity.”
Looking at and living with those who truly model endurance, who are mature far beyond their life expectancy, is humbling.
God of all things, help us see endurance as the gift it can be. Help us to mature in our hard times. We pray for all those who suffer, let us thank them for the lessons they teach in how they live and how they face life. Amen. — KNM