Today.
Today we woke up early and drove the Happy Baby to the hospital.
Today the anesthesiologist let me hold the Happy Baby’s hand as he put him to sleep.
Today our doctor removed the Happy Baby’s feeding tube.
Today the Happy Baby woke up after surgery, chugged his milk, and I wondered if he could tell that he didn’t have a plastic disc in his tummy anymore.
Today the Happy Hubby and I let out a whoop and high-fived each other in the car as we drove our tube-free child home.
Today was a victory.
I have been digging deep into the Psalms throughout this whole season with the Happy Baby.
I came across a verse that gave me hope in the darkest moments…
“We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests.” Psalm 20:5
I have loved this verse because the people in this psalm, before their king went to battle, felt sure of their victory. So sure that they began to rejoice beforehand.
It was not if you are victorious, but when.
The Lord impressed on my heart that this is the life for the believer.
The victory is ours through the powerful work of Christ’s death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, ensuring our salvation forever and ever.
We can rejoice over the defeated enemy – raising our banners triumphantly – no matter what.
When the Happy Baby was in the hospital for so long and when he got his little feeding tube, I did not have to be depressed or despairing over the battles we were fighting, because in my heart, I knew that the battle had already been won.
Did I walk in that truth every day? Oh, friends, I wish I could say a mighty YES! But my flesh is weak, and there were so sooo many days where I shook my fist at God or cried myself to sleep under the burden of our baby’s health issues.
However, when the morning came, I could always press on. He always gave me the strength to keep on keeping on, under the umbrella of His marvelous hope.
Hope that, come what may, the Lord would be strong and mighty, mighty in battle (Psalm 24:8).
And then last week I rushed the Happy Baby to the GI doc because I thought the site of his feeding tube had become infected, and instead of leaving with a prescription for yet another round of antibiotics, I left with a date.
A date that would set in stone the victory we knew would come, but were unsure of when.
I raised my victory banner as I pushed the stroller to the parking lot that day, but I also raised my victory banner in the doctor’s office as I waited.
I repeated this verse over the Happy Baby again and again until I felt confident that even if the Happy Baby had an infection (or a genetic disease, or severe bronchitis, or hypotonia…), I could still embrace the victory.
The victory that we have in Christ.
This is a victory to be thankful for.
And in the spirit of Thanksgiving, here is a round-up of banners you can raise in your own Happy Homes this week (quite literally, as they are all FREE Printables). 🙂
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Thankful Banner from Shanty 2 Chic.
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Blessed Banner from Sugar Tot Designs.
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Gratitude Banner (you can write what you are thankful for on each little pennant) from Today’s Mama.
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Because victory is sweet, a Mini Happy Thanksgiving Banner for your feast’s dessert from Kara’s Party Ideas.
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Gather Together and Give Thanks Banner from eighteen25 (because we raise our banners together – as The Church).
Now, as a child of the King who has already won the battle, what victory do you celebrate this Thanksgiving?
Happy Raise Your Banner-ing! 🙂
“Your right hand, O Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy.” Exodus 15:6
*Check Facebook for photos of our Happy Baby Tube-Removal Victory today!*
You are such a bright spirit!!! I enjoy reading how you shine. God bless your family. You have certainly blessed mine this last year. Thank you.
Such sweet words of victory! I rejoice with you all just as I wept with you all these past months…I’m so thankful for God’s sweet mercy for Jet. Thank you for showing your weaknesses along with your strengths, Julie. Happy Thanksgiving to the Brasingtons!! Love to you all, Marla
God works in such wonderful, quirky ways sometimes. That this all happens right at Thanksgiving is a wonder! This holiday will never be the same for you again!! Truly one more thing to give thanks to God for!! I’m so happy for you all!
We give You all the praise, O Mighty God! Thank You! Thank You! “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11
All I can say is PRAISE THE LORD for ALL victories !!!! Grandmommy
Oh, Julie and Ryan!!! Our prayers have been answered! Maurie and I are thrilled about this wonderful news! We are so happy and relieved for you that your precious baby has that tube out. What a testament to our living God who had it all under control all along. We shall praise this miracle. Love, Maurie and Diane
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So happy for your victory and so thankful, not only for God’s goodness but for your ability to share it so eloquently. Happy for you! Continued blessings for you and your family!
Our family is are rejoicing with you and giving thanks to God!
Hooray!!! I am so thankful that both trials and blessings bring us closer to our Savior, and I’m so grateful that you always strive to recognize His hand in your life. May the Lord continue to bless your and your family, and may the “basket” that you set your Happy Baby in continue to be guided by His love. Happy Thanksgiving!!!! 🙂
Congrats on winning the Best Homaking or Recipes Blog award over at hsbapost.com!
Julie, this is such a victory!!! We are so happy for Jet and your whole family, we love you!!
xoxo
I came across your blog via pinterest somehow. But it was meant to be. Your raise your banner blog post has encouraged me tremendously. Thanks so much for sharing. I usually decorate for thanksgiving with my husbands entire family and had been trying to think of something different for the place settings. Now I have been inspired to place a banner/ praise ribbon at each setting to be an encouragement to my family.
Hi Julie,
I found your blog while looking for pumping advice a while ago and I keep coming back to reread the story of the happy baby. My daughter was born in September with several unanticipated birth defects that kept her in the nicu for six weeks before getting a g tube due to unsafe swallowing. I know her situation could have been so, so much worse, but sometimes it is still overwhelming to think of all she’s been through. I know this situation is temporary but it is easy to forget that. It makes me so happy to read someone else’s story and know that we will come out the other side. I will raise my banner! God is good!