Prayer Request: Joseph is in the Hospital with a fever. It is a bit stubborn so we would ask that you pray that his fever breaks. (it hit 40.1 C or 104 F tonight)

A couple of days ago Joseph developed a cough that was just like the one his brothers have had for the past two weeks and are now almost done with. The difference with Joseph, however, has been that he has now developed a fever to go with his cough, so we are in the hospital for monitoring and iv antibiotics. What has been a bit unusual is that this fever keeps coming back after a dose of Calpol (like children’s tylenol for those in the USA). Tests for bacterial infection have not  shown anything so far and now there are new tests being run to see if there are any particularly nasty viruses. So far his overall heath is good except for the fever.

This will be his second night in the hospital – we are so appreciative of the medical staff and doctors who really care about Joseph and are doing their best to make sure that there is nothing dangerous hiding behind his symptoms.

So we are waiting… Waiting for Joseph’s fever to break and waiting for test results to show if there is anything more to be treated. I would say that waiting is one thing that our technology does not help us with. No one likes to wait – we all enjoy using the Internet to get instant answers to our questions, to use online shopping to get what we want delivered next day. But when it comes to the important things in life, like finding our life mate, restoring health, resolving deep problems, learning more about God – these things all take time and waiting. There is nothing fun about waiting as it feels like a waste of time. But in waiting we begin to hear from God rather than the noise of our gadgets. God is not my vending machine. His thoughts are boundless, His love monumental – He delights in providing for us but He delights in genuine relationship most. Don’t waste your waiting.

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you. Psalm 33:18 – 22