That phone call in the middle of the night.  We got it.  Almost 3am and the phone rang.  I had taken an antihistamine before bed to try to alleviate some of the congestion in my head .. so I was a little foggy.  But still, I could clearly hear my Isaac on the other end of the phone.  He was crying, moaning, and barking.  Yes ... croup.  That awful, dreaded croup.  And we weren't there!  Oh, that feeling.  I knew he was in good hands with John's mother but still every ounce of me wanted to be holding him in my arms.

John went to get him immediately while I started to steam the bathroom and hunt down the Vicks.  In the meantime, Sam woke up crying (remember, he went to bed at 6pm) but thankfully he settled back down to sleep.  So I was ready for Isaac when he came.  We sat on the rocking chair (my dear hubby put the rocking chair into the steamy bathroom for me) and I did my best to calm him down.  He was still crying and scared.  But we sat, and rocked, and I talked.  I had been praying amongst it all, as was John .. but he came in and put his hand on him praying while I did the same.  I'm good at praying for comfort and rest and healing, but I'm not so good at believing God for it.  This time I put all my energy into believing God for His healing power.  I prayed that the tightness in Isaac's chest would be loosened .. that he would be free to breathe.  I just saw the analogy of what was happening to Isaac with what happens to us in this world.  We can get all tightened and tensed up, but the Lord wants us to be set free!  I remembered the healing of the boy in one of the gospels when Jesus told the father that he had to believe.  I think the Lord was showing me my unbelief and that it was okay to really believe Him for healing and restoration.

Well .. within a few minutes .. Isaac suddenly stopped crying and laid his head back.  It was like he was instantly fast asleep.  At first I felt concerned.  But then I realized that he was free .. no barking, no crying, nothing to be scared of .. that he was breathing easily.  I kept on rocking him as he lay back on my arm seemingly fast asleep.  A few minutes passed and he popped his head up and said "I'm okay Mommy".  I took him out of the steamy bathroom and into our bed where he slept soundly, without a "bark", all night long.  Amazing, I tell you .... amazing!

John and I have been reading a book about protecting our family and searching for God's truth regarding the protection of our family.  In particular, I've been wondering if good health and long life are always promises of God.  Like, is sickness from Satan himself?  Is it an all-out attack?  But does God allow it?  Or does He allow it because we don't believe?  Last night, I put all I had into believing.  And my precious Isaac made a complete turnaround.  I was really in awe.  And I feel that the Lord was telling me something in the process.  Not that I have all the answers .. because I still feel like I have so much yet to learn.  But still, I think this was a big step.

It's a journey ... a continuing journey ... on and on ... little steps, big steps ...

Isaac has been good today.  He woke up and still had some of the croupy sound to his breathing.  But no coughing.  He started to cough around lunchtime and it wasn't barky .. it sounded like a normal, productive cough.  Now, he's resting.  Praise the Lord!