Mar 5, 2014

the post i hoped i'd someday write

i snuck away from work today, just to visit his session and see how things were going.

this face of his has been  making me smile so much lately, and i wanted to see his progress.


the progress he had made last week, when i found him here, in the basement of the therapy office, walking with the parallel bars.



"the bars gave him the confidence he needed," the therapist said today.

the confidence to do this.

to take steps on his own.

for the first time in eight years.


she didn't think he was ready, to have her let go and let him slowly work it on his own.

i had told her months ago that if he was closing to taking even one step without support, i needed to know. i wanted to be there.

we didn't think that would be today.

but it was.

and i was there.

and his caregiver who has been with him for seven years.

and after eight years of hard work and not giving up and not letting discouragement take over, he's broken through something that has been holding him back.

"it gives me hope for my future," he said, as we sat on the couch waiting for our 15 and then some guests to arrive at our spontaneous party, because everything needs a celebration.

his niece and nephew have been praying for him, and when they heard the news, even their little hearts knew.

"uncle ian," his four year old voice said. "god answered our prayers and you're walking on your own without falling down."

"uncle ian," her voice cracked, three years of happiness breaking through. "He (God) saved our message. and i'm grateful because you're walking."

God did save our message, our prayers, and He hasn't forgotten them. He was not dependent on our faith.

he fell into sleep easily tonight, his tired muscles needing their rest and his brain needing silence.

he fell asleep as a good man who hasn't given up and who has known all along, deep in his heart, that His God is for him - always.

thank you, for praying for ian,

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Praise be to God! So happy Ian & Larissa!!! I LOVE you both! :-) Love, Leslie Dawn

Harriet said...

Praise God!

I too (from afar and without even knowing you in 'real' life) have prayed for this moment of accomplishment and many previous moments too.

Congratulations Ian and Larissa, I know this will be a joint victory for you both.

With love from someone whom your blog reaches and nourishes, Harrietx

Katy said...

That is beautiful and wonderful! Praise God!

Anonymous said...

Praise God! So glad that you were there, Larissa and thank you so much for sharing.
Go, Ian, Go!

What wonderful comments from the niece and nephew, too.

I could watch this video like a jillion times!!! :-)

Still Praying!

Mary Ann K.

Whitney said...

So touching and sweet! God is mighty in strength and tender in mercies. Celebrating in awe with you this morning.

Amanda said...

oh how exciting that you got to be there for such an exciting moment!!! God is so good.

Amy @ Lovely Does It said...

So happy! Praising the Lord with you!
http://lovelydoesit.com

Bekah Loves Blog said...

So excited to hear this!

Kristy said...

Smiling!! I couldn't be happier for you guys!!

Denise said...

Our family is dancing a jig of joy! This is just too wonderful!!! We praise the Lord and rejoice with you! Oh, Ian, your perseverance has glorified the Lord! And, Larissa, we glory in God's goodness at nudging you to go visit Ian's therapy session so that you got to witness the long-awaited event. We are just happy, happy, happy! We'll continue the praying, waiting for God to do even more through the two of you!
The Reynolds Family
Sioux City, Iowa
www.untohimwelive.blogspot.com

Titus 2 Thandi said...

And a picture too!! Oh wow!! What an amazing moment! I feel like shouting it at the top of my voice.

Lori said...

That is so awesome! Beinlichs rejoicing with you from afar. :)
xoxox
aunt Lori

Jenny - PA said...

Pure Joy....

Jenny - PA said...

Pure Joy....

Anonymous said...

I think God is smiling too. I've followed your story for several years now. Thanks for sharing your journey with us!

Cyn said...

How wonderful! Praise the Lord!! I am rejoicing with you !!!

Anonymous said...

So so very happy for all of you!!
Wendy in MD

Abigail Cashelle said...

I'm so encouraged... for you, for Ian, and for myself. God is so good and His powers are really above all we could ask and think.

I just started physical therapy, and walking in the clinic & seeing the parallel bars, I kept think of Ian and his persistence and God's work in him. And I am encouraged.

Thank you & always praying,
Abigail

cori haughery said...

horray horray!!!

Anonymous said...

God is so faithful and never stops loving us and giving us gifts of joy!!! Praise to Him! AND thanks to you two for never thinking of giving up. Love, Rene

Anonymous said...

So happy for you~

Laura

chanel paulk said...

this is the coolest. God is so good! congratulations to you both! i'm glad ian is doing so well.

Unknown said...

Praise God! His tender mercies are new every morning , great is His faithfulness!!! Ian, so many are encouraged by your perseverance! Thank you for not giving up, but working hard, while trusting God to give you the strength! Larissa, you are the encourager Ian needs. Its beautiful how God puts exactly the right people together.
Love, karise

Anonymous said...

I too am praying a rosary most nights of the week. I offer up my intentions for you both too.

JM

Anonymous said...

Praise the Lord!!! So happy to see this and rejoicing with you both. Praying this will be the just the beginning.

Leisa Tremblay
Round Rock, TX

Bernadine said...

How awesome is our God! So happy for you and Ian, and I'm still praying.