Josiah means "THE LORD SAVES"

This past week we didn't sit in our classroom much, but that doesn't mean we weren't learning. Our Lord has been taking us on a journey and teaching us much about His sovereignty and goodness. As most of you know, little Josiah has been sick. After being sick for a couple weeks, he was finally getting better, then Jayce caught a cold and gave it back to Josiah whose immune system was down and poor little Josiah got REALLY sick this time. He was diagnosed with RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, a couple of weeks ago. We have been up all hours of the night, holding him, trying to calm his coughing fits and giving him breathing treatments around the clock. He's been on so many different medicines in the past month and it has been discouraging not to see him getting much better. We have been constantly at the foot of the throne of our Lord seeking protection, strength, wisdom, and healing.
We traveled back to the doctor again yesterday evening because, after all the treatments and medicines, he just didn't seem to be getting much better. Talking to our doctor, he confirmed that Josiah still had a lingering cough that would need medicine, but the true concern was that Josiah had asthma. Asthma. After thinking that we were almost done with breathing treatments, wheezing, trouble breathing, coughing, etc, the doctor told us that breathing treatments would become a regular thing in Josiah's life for while. They can't tell us right now how severe it will be or how long he will have it. He could grow out of it in a year, but then again, he might not.
When the doctor looked in my eyes and told me that we were looking at something more than just a virus, it was something more severe, more chronic, a peace came over me. Yes, I was disappointed to hear that my lil' warrior would have to deal with inhalers and nebulizers and all that goes with a life with asthma, but God took a hold of me in that moment and whispered "My purposes and plans are good, for you AND Josiah, trust Me!"
How blessed we are that God chose our family to place Josiah in. God knew the care that he would need. I imagine God saying to me "Christie, I have a little boy that I need someone to take care of. Are you willing?" I answer "Yes, of course! I LOVE little boys!" He answers me. "This particular little one will need extra special care. It will mean you will have to sit up with him at night while he is coughing at 2am then again at 4am and 5am. He will need medicine faithfully. I need a family willing to pray for him and protect him." and I humbly answer "I consider it the greatest joy and honor imaginable to have this little boy be a part of our family."
When I was pregnant with Josiah, we were considering the name "Cademon" because it meant "wise warrior". We know we are warriors for our King and we loved the idea of having that meaning behind our son's name. But, as the day drew nearer, I felt that Cademon was NOT to be my son's name. His name was to be Josiah, which means "the Lord SAVES"! And how we have seen that Josiah is rightly named. Every breath that he breathes is in God's hands and I have no fear for the days to come! Fear will not be the dictator of our family or little Josiah's life, we will choose VICTORY in our Lord! And as we see our happy little boy's smile and the way he loves life already, we are reminded to delight in our Lord and see the many blessings He has poured out on us. He has and will sustain us, He has and will continue to save us and we know He will take this and use it for His glory!

"You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With Your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, his way is PERFECT; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a SHIELD for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustands me; you stoop down to make me GREAT." Psalm 18:28-35

Sweet Josiah, God will indeed strengthen you, be your sheild and make you GREAT, for His Name's sake. We are blessed and humbled that God would entrust such a sweet warrior to our family. In all things Lord, in ALL things, may Your name be glorified!