“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NASB

We enjoyed the company of so many at Max’s celebration and memorial … and in a rarity that hasn’t happened in years because of schedules and addresses, we had the entire immediate Cortez family all together in one place.

Cortez Family at Max's Celebration

There is more I want to share, but for now … know that Jodie and I love you … and that it is God that sustains …

“Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs … I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. To whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared? – Isaiah 46:3-5

I think we both know what they will say and neither of us are expecting anything other than what God has already known and planned. It is going to be a hard day that I am already not looking forward to on the calendar … but we right now we are both smiling because of how awesome Max is, the time we are getting to spend with him and because of the promise Christ has given us in eternity.

I have been thinking some about Joshua recently …

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” – Joshua 24:15

“Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.” – Mr. Beaver

But if there are at least two things we are sure of … (1) God is never-changing and (2) we made the right decision when Jodie’s doctors asked if we wanted to carry Max to term or if, based on the later ultrasounds, we wanted to seek an abortion. I fell in love with my son after only that first minute … the rest of the past 11,282 have just been extremely nice bonuses.

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” Hebrews 11

These are really scary terms … especially when they are followed by others like “quality of life” and “supportive care only”. The MRI results and further discussions with the neurologist will provide more insight, but as I was driving back and forth several times to see Max at the hospital today, the weight of those words seem heavier and heavier.

Just now, after getting to hold Max and driving home in the dark of I-4, my heart reminded me of the fact that “God never changes“. Despite what we know, what we plan for and the mistakes we make, He is always the same. Despite what the next few days hold and what the nurses and doctors and specialists do … before I was born … before Jodie and I even ever met, God already knew Max and he who he is going to be.

That’s kinda really comforting.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17

“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” – Psalms 33:11

“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.” – Psalms 18:30