Safe in God’s Hands

From the instant I held Genevieve in my arms, I felt an unbreakable bond between us, one that promised a lifetime of shared moments and memories. I will forever cherish the overwhelming love that surged within me as I gazed into her eyes for the very first time. She was so small, resembling a delicate little doll, and I could hardly believe that this precious little one was my sister. Even now, as I reflect on the deep love I hold for all three of my sisters, I find it hard to imagine the depth of love I will (Lord willing) one day feel for my own children. Genevieve is my sister soulmate, and our connection is something truly special; we just understand each other in a way that feels effortless. Whenever I’m with her, everything just feels lighter and okay. She once told me that I’m her hero, a title I cherish deeply and take very seriously, yet in truth, she is the one who inspires me daily. Her unwavering faith in God, along with her incredible bravery and resilience in living with an anaphylactic peanut allergy, fills me with the utmost admiration.

My parents gave me the honor of choosing Genevieve's middle name, and I chose "Faith" because it encapsulated my heartfelt wish for her to embrace and embody this virtue throughout her life. She truly lives up to her middle name, radiating a strong faith and a deep relationship with God. Beyond family worship, she dedicates time to read the Bible on her own, a practice she's cherished for as long as I can remember. I remember when she had just learned to read, she would sit with her children's Bible and read aloud to herself. Today, Genevieve continues to seek wisdom in Scripture, striving to center her life around God’s principles, a rare and beautiful commitment in this day and age. She values modesty, viewing it as a way to honor God, herself, and others, which is a refreshing contrast to many of her peers who often opt for more revealing attire. In many ways, she stands apart from the crowd, but as far as I can tell, that uniqueness doesn’t faze her. Her humility shines through, and perhaps, she doesn’t even realize how remarkable she is, but as her older sister, my heart swells with pride and gratitude to God for both who she is and who she is becoming. What truly astounds me is her steadfast trust in God; despite living with an anaphylactic peanut allergy, she has never once questioned or doubted God.

Ever since she was a toddler, Genevieve has lived with her peanut allergy. I'll never forget the day I came from school to my grandmother watching my other two sisters. Immediately, I sensed something was wrong and can still recall the chill that came over me. She informed me that my parents were at the allergist with Genevieve due to a severe allergic reaction. I was shocked. I didn't know anyone with a peanut allergy, and now my little buddy had one. What would this mean for her life? It's not something you can really prepare for. Nevertheless, God was good in the midst of us finding out about Genevieve's allergy. Considering how severe Genevieve's allergy is, God spared Genevieve's life and allowed her to react enough to be alerted to the allergy and its severity. I'm sure it was still a scary experience for my mom, who was home with her during her initial allergic reaction, and for Genevieve, but God's grace was still very clearly present, reminding us of His Sovereignty in all things, allowing only so much.

After discovering Genevieve's allergy, it was a learning process to educate ourselves on how to keep her safe. This included understanding that merely brushing your teeth doesn't eliminate peanut protein (you need to eat something else), reading labels carefully, and contacting companies to inquire about shared equipment. Allergies are not something many people understand until it happens to them through either developing an allergy themselves (which can happen at any point in your life) or through someone they love having an allergy. People may make light of allergies and/or may test the boundaries or logistics, hopefully unaware of the seriousness involved. Allergies are not a one-size-fits all because there's different depths to the allergy. Each person experiences different levels of severity, with reactions that can be immediate or delayed. Some may tolerate a bit of cross-contamination (from an allergen sharing equipment), while others might only experience mild symptoms like a stomach ache or hives. However, for Genevieve, the stakes are much higher, and people with anaphylactic allergies can die. It's not a matter of her just not "eating peanuts." A life-threatening reaction can occur through coming into contact with even trace amounts of peanuts, whether through eating, cross contamination, smelling peanut particles (such as roasting peanuts), or through skin contact. If Genevieve has contact with peanut protein, as small as the size of a dime, she can die within fifteen minutes. Yes, she has an Epi-Pen, but Epi-Pens are not to be relied upon fully and can be ineffective.

I can't imagine what it must be like to live with a severe allergy. While I have my own allergies that have surfaced as an adult alongside my chronic health conditions, thankfully, they aren't life-threatening. Genevieve, on the other hand, faces challenges that many of us take for granted, such as dining out, for it's rare to find a restaurant that can guarantee no cross-contamination. Yet, she never complains. It's never been her personality. I can only imagine the difficulty of navigating her allergy, and I know there have been moments filled with fear and anxiety when she has found herself in unsafe situations despite my parents' careful planning. Still, she inspires me with her remarkable courage.  She lives her life to the fullest, embodying that true courage isn't the absence of fear but the determination to move forward in faith regardless. Genevieve is not defined by her allergy. No one in our family has ever treated as such and she doesn't let it hold her back in life, something I thought about while watching her ballet performance. Instead, she finds strength in God's Word, trusting Him daily for her safety. One of her favorite Bible verses is Isaiah 43:2, which beautifully reassures us: “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” I aspire to have that kind of unwavering faith, finding comfort in the knowledge that God will preserve and care for us in every circumstance.

While her allergy is a serious matter, it barely scratches the surface of who she is and is, in fact, the least interesting part about her. She is not just my sister; she is my best friend, and I cherish every moment we share. Her sense of humor is a delightful blend of wit and dry charm, making me laugh even on the toughest days. An incredibly talented artist, she beautifully incorporates Bible verses into much of her work, and I hold dear the pieces she has gifted me, always looking forward to receiving more. In fact, I'm currently wearing the bracelet she made me as I write this. Her honesty is refreshing, and when I seek genuine advice, she is my go-to. With wisdom beyond her years, she consistently chooses to do what is right, and as she continues to grow, I can see her embodying the essence of a Proverbs 31 woman. Genevieve's name means "family woman," making her first and middle name together mean "family woman of faith," perfectly suiting her dreams of becoming a wife and mother someday, such a beautiful and refreshing aspiration in today’s world. Her love for babies has been evident since she was just a toddler, tenderly caring for her baby dolls as if they were real. Let’s not forget her savvy nature and practical common sense, qualities that will undoubtedly serve her well in life. I couldn’t be prouder of the person she is becoming.

Because she is introverted, Genevieve is often overlooked by others. I feel sorry for anyone who misses out on the incredible person she is: a gem with a heart that shines so brightly in today’s world. She is a radiant light in her generation. Whenever I look at Genevieve, I still see my "little duck," who used to follow me around the house, her soft blonde curls bouncing and her big, curious eyes sparkling with wonder. She is a teenager now, and watching her grow up has been a nothing short of a blessing, even though it tugs at my heart to know that she will never be that little girl again. Nevertheless, I find comfort in knowing that her growing up also means that the bond we share will only continue to grow deeper. I can feel her unconditional love, even on my days when I am far from my best, and I will also always love her no matter what.  What Genevieve may not realize is that during my toughest times, her love has been a guiding light, helping me navigate through it all. She encourages me in all the ideas I have, including starting to write again. She is my other half, and I don't know what I would ever do without her.

I thank God every day for the precious gift of Genevieve’s life. He is the One who created her and lovingly determines her life, and I find such comfort in entrusting her to His care. When we discovered her allergy as a toddler, I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me, knowing that God was watching over Genevieve, continually praying for her to this day. He even kept her safe from accidental ingestion when she was a toddler, such as through touching peanut protein and then putting her hands in her mouth, a curious little habit that young children often have. Remarkably, Genevieve has always been cautious, never one to put her hands near her face or in her mouth. My mom, who is still with her predominantly every day, did a great job of staying vigilant, skillfully keeping watch over Genevieve without instilling fear. I know both those things have come straight from the hand of God. I am also acutely aware that many families navigating the challenges of nut allergies are not as fortunate, and my heart goes out to them.

If you know someone with an allergy, it costs nothing to show a little extra care and kindness, especially when it comes to making a child feel safe and secure in their environment. A small act of consideration that will cost you seconds of your life, such as not consuming peanut products before seeing the allergic person or wiping/washing your hands when you do see them, can greatly reduce the chances of someone like my sister losing hers. If you're unsure on how to handle someone's allergy, don't hesitate to reach out to the person or their family and ask questions. Your kindness will be warmly appreciated. Remember, with greater knowledge understanding comes a responsibility to act accordingly. While my family doesn’t expect anyone’s home or facility to be nut-free, if you do hold yourself to be, we will expect you to follow through and will prepare and take different precautions accordingly. It’s important to recognize the difference between someone who is unaware of allergies and someone who has the knowledge of how to keep someone like Genevieve safe and chooses to endanger that person instead. The latter will ultimately be held accountable by God one day for their malicious acts and intentional disregard for a human being's life. As Christians, we should care for the sanctity of life, a life of someone created in the image of God.

If you or someone you love has an allergy, don’t despair. Embracing this new chapter in your life may feel daunting at first, but with time, the necessary precautions will become second nature, weaving seamlessly into your daily routine. Navigating the world of allergies can come with its fair share of challenges, especially when it comes to interacting with others. However, take heart, there are many kind and considerate people out there, eager to learn how to keep those with allergies safe and comfortable. Most importantly, remember that God is always by your side. He is good and sovereign, even over the complexities of allergies, and those who live with them are cherished in His eyes and not . He doesn't define someone by their allergy, so neither should you. Genevieve’s life serves as a beautiful reminder that even in the face of danger, placing your faith in God is the safest haven. She may navigate the world with a life-threatening allergy, but even more powerfully, she embodies an unshakable trust in a life-giving God. Embrace this journey with warmth and hope, knowing you are never alone.

I love you, my Cheez-It Girl.

Soli Deo Gloria.