This is the 11th time Joree has faced a major surgery in her life.  Today she was stuck with needles a dozen times.  Yesterday they put in an IV line and a Pick line.  Two procedures no one would choose to experience.  Joree has been poked, prodded, and stuck over a hundred times leading to surgeries.  Once again, all day I was humbled by her courage.  Never a whimper, never a complaint, never and angry gesture.  I am quite sure she is well aware of what the hospital means when she arrives now.  This is going to be painful.  This is going to be hard.  I wish I could just go home.

It is awful what sin does to this world.  It is awful that a child has to suffer.  It is heart wrenching to sit by feeling helpless.  I wish many times that Jesus would just swoop down and carry her home.  No more pain…no more suffering…just take her home.  But once again for the 11th time, Joree is teaching me what it means to be broken and dependent.  I am learning again what it means to suffer with grace.  I am learning what it means to be closer to God.  Joree has been teaching me about our wounded healer from the day she came into my life.  Tonight, I am praying for my hero.  Tonight I am praying I can be like her.