"I need you to have new vision." Dr. Hui B. Lee

To see with skilled eyes is a gift. Oh, to see past the glaring surface, the painfully obvious, the first impressions makes vision exceptional. 

Yesterday, we took our Ian to see the surgeon who is partnering with us in the reconstruction of Ian's face post accident. Two reconstructive surgeries are complete and we are moving into a territory of revising and fine tuning. This road has not been easy for Ian. He has had to come to grips with a new reality. He's processing how life can change in an instant, even when no one has erred. 

He was playing football that day. Just catch really. He was throwing the ball with Brandon when he was hit by the projectile. He is thankful to have his sight. We talk about that often; the ability to see and have his own eyes. He has experienced miracles in healing. Where he was told he would never regain feeling in the left side of his face, he chose prayer. He prayed without reservation about it. His brothers, his friends, his parents, his family, and his friends all prayed. One day, overnight, he regained feeling! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! 

He has felt fear, anxiety, sadness, confusion, joy, peace, anger, and a host of other feelings. He has experienced the pressure to be strong in a very intimate and real way. He has been able to connect with his Dad about what it means to be forever changed on the outside. He has felt the embrace of several people who chose to walk this road with him. There have been people who have really come alongside during this. He has also been subject to stares, unkind words, and dealing with the awkward silence of some of the kids he knows. 

We shared the emotional side of his journey with Dr. Lee. We asked for his perspective, thoughts, and any encouragement he might have to help Ian with the internal process. 

Ian shared that he was struggling with looking in the mirror and realizing this is permanent. He hates the sight. Dr. Lee pulled the picture of his original surgical scar. They looked at details. That's when he took a mirror from his desk, sidled up to Ian and said, "I need you to have new vision." Words I won't forget. As this surgeon talked about seeing past the surface, looking beyond the redness, lumps, and into the real issue - the scar line, he spoke life into us both. He pointed to the very thin line that was there. He assured Ian that the redness and lumps will go away. He said they always do, but that the scar line is permanent. The scar line is so thin, so fine on the lower half. The top side by his eye is thicker, but we're working on massaging it into submission. 

That night, laying on the bed, Ian, his Dad, and I had a great conversation about Dr. Lee's words. "I need you to have new vision." We'd been praying for understanding, for a real sense of God's direction. "I need you to have new vision." We understood the words of God as spoken through the mouth of a surgeon sent to help in this leg of the journey. 

Yes God, we want that new vision. Your vision. 

Job 10:4 Do you have eyes like those of a human? Do you see things only as people see them?

1 Samuel 16:7 The Lord doesn't see thing the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 

Amen.