The Reality of a Chronic Disease

As I spent sometime today thinking about what I wanted to write, a topic seemed to just have appeared. Before bath time tonight Braeden's exhaustion got the best of him. Unfortunately, this exhaustion led to a statement that I was unprepared to answer. His statement was related to his daily use of his enzyme, Creon. Creon is used each time Braeden eats anything with fats and protein. Our bodies make and release enzymes via our pancreas. These enzymes are routed to the small intestine where they are used to break down food. While Braeden's pancreas makes the enzymes, they are not released as he has mucus that blocks the pancreas rendering them unable to pass. Braeden's statement was that when he gets older like Daddy he won't have to take Creon anymore because his body won't need it. My response was anything but elegant as I was caught completely off guard. I had to explain to him that he would always have to take his enzymes because that was the way his body works. His rebuttal along with elephant tears included the following: but you and my friends don't take them...what's wrong with me? As I sat there fumbling for words, his next statement was, "that's just wrong." It is. It is just wrong. What do I say to him? How do I comfort this child with a chronic illness to which I have very little control? As I write the sentence above, I'm reminded by that still small voice of Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares The Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future." While I don't like this disease, I'm reminded of all the things Braeden has taught me through it...patience, faith, hope, grace. While he is only four, it is amazing what profound words he utters. Our ultimate purpose on Earth is to glorify the Father, and although I wish this disease was nonexistent, I can say that it has changed me and is changing Braeden everyday. So we can be thankful because, we are closer to the Father through it, and what better place is there?