The Light of Perspective

I've been watching Ella in church these past few weeks. I see her react to what goes on around her. Asking questions. Singing. Showing her muscles. Listening to CI sing and saying 'that was cool'. Seeing how 'normal' she is takes me back to the days I wondered if we would take her home at all, let alone take her to church. So I'd like to remind us all of how great God has been in her particular case.
When she was born so prematurely (24 weeks 5 days, 1lb 12oz) there were some dark days. Her doctors talked about living hour by hour. If we made it through one, we'd talk about the next. Her brain bled the day after she was born. Outside a level 4. She had heart surgery in Dallas at 2+ lbs. Back to Shreveport and schedule eye surgery. Her lungs were so fragile and every breath was breathed for her by various machines, switching to the one she would respond to best. We are fully aware that we almost lost her too many times to count.
But in those dark days, there were promises made. We searched scripture and prayed for strength. I remember hearing myself on the phone, the day after she was born, telling a friend that if we had her for the next 24 hours or if were allowed to raise her, we'd glorify God either way. Psalm 139 and John 17 were sources of strength. One night in particular, I was in the NICU with her, studying and praying when her O2 levels began to drop. The nurse came in to stimulate her, but she didnt respond. She called the respiratory therapist and they began to 'bag' her. I watched her go from pink in color, to blue, purple and black. All the while there was the oddest peace over me, as tho God was letting me know that His hands were working through the hands of those working on her. He was proving to be faithful in keeping His promises.
When we started talking about coming home, the dr's began to let us know the kind of problems we should expect. They talked about her being blind, because of the amounts of oxygen she had been on. The talked about her being deaf because of the brain bleed. She had failed every hearing test up to that point. They talked about her physical disabilities relating to cerebral palsy. And they talked about mental retardation. It was a lot to take in, but, even though it was a shock to our system, we still walked in a quiet confidence because we knew God was ultimately in control. And He had made promises.
Ella has since had intestinal and brain surgeries, both to deal with complications. She has had numerous hearing and eye tests. She has had speech, physical and occupational therapies. Once again, God has led us to allow people to be His hands.
Her hearing is fine, she wears glasses for astigmatism and sees fine, she walks, runs and climbs, and is a very smart, witty little girl. She adores her big brothers (when they are out of sight she asks 'where are the brothers?'). Our church family sees her as their little girl.
So even though the days surrounding her birth and the first coupla months of her life were filled with dark days, looking back there was light by which to walk. It just took getting some perspective to see it.