Christ Will Pick You Up

Life will knock you down. It’s guaranteed. Each of us will endure pain, heartache and unexplainable depths of sorrow in this life. Life will knock you down…but Christ will pick you up.

Over the last few days, life has beat us down. As we were reeling, processing the news about Greyson and his cancer, we learned that Mason had tested positive for covid. Karla too. We have no idea where she or Mason picked it up. Karla has been meticulous about masks and has hunkered down for the most part. I suppose at this point where they picked it up doesn’t matter much. Somehow, at least for now, Greyson is Covid negative. As am I. Pray we both stay that way. Because of timeline’s (which are tricky), the Dr’s have said the likelihood of me or Grey testing positive, at this point, shrinks dramatically over the next few days. Prayerfully we stay negative. And if that changes, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

Karla is at home with Mason, recovering and getting some well deserved and much needed rest. While she was in the hospital, her symptoms all mimicked the same symptoms of being exhausted and weary. Her headache was explained by not sleeping. Her eyes and nasal symptoms were explained by constant tears. She hasn’t yet developed a fever or a cough. But yesterday she realized she couldn’t smell. Because Mason was positive, we switched places. Karla is home with Mason, I am in the hospital with Grey.

Honestly, as bad as covid is, it has brought some blessing. God has used what was meant for evil, for our good. Because of Covid, Karla is at home, where she needs to be. Pray she gets rest. She is the strongest woman I know, but life has beat her down these last few days. She needs rest. Because of covid, Mason can return to in-person classes in January. He has really struggled in a myriad of ways over this last year. In-person school will be a good return to normalcy for him. School was always his place, where he could escape the all-consuming nature of cancer and be a kid. Don’t misunderstand, we would rather they not have covid, and definitely not right now. And we are earnestly praying it stays away from Greyson and myself. But God is using this for His glory and our good.

Now for the encouraging news. The first month of Greyson’s chemo treatment would be the same here in Columbia as it would be in KC. Therefore, chemo will begin TODAY here in Columbia. In about a month, they will do some tests. Pending those results, we will either go to KC for the next step, or will move to another option. The goal remains the same: remission, which then leads to a bone marrow transplant. Today, Greyson has had a mostly puny day. That’s expected, as his body fights and meds kick in. He has slept a lot and eaten a little. They will likely have to do some nutrition for him if his appetite doesn’t perk up in the next day or so.

As our world spins chaotically around us, know this: Life may have beat us down. But Christ will pick us up. He will do the same for you. He will come to you. He will pick you up.

Here are a few specific ways to pray for us:

• Pray for Karla and Mason to quickly recover from Covid.
• Pray Greyson doesn’t contract Covid. Pray that I don’t either.
• Pray his chemo will work, he will have minimal side effects and we’ll be in KC in January.

Thank you for praying. We love each of you more than we can describe and thank God for you. Life has knocked us down. Christ has picked us up. You have help us stand. We love you.

Brian, Karla, Mason and Greyson.