Day 11 - June 26 - God is faithful

The next day. Another step. Connor is alert, feeling some pain, and watching TV a bit. He looks good. I noticed this morning that in his hospital smock coming down to his knees, and pressure boots that look a lot like those sandals that have straps up your calves, he is the spitting image of an Old Testament warrior. He looks like what I imagine one of David's mighty men would look like. You can just picture him rising up and smiting his enemies. It was an encouraging glimpse of the powerful things Connor has ahead of him.

I need to tell you how God is being faithful to us. First, each of you are holding us up in prayer, a great, comforting blanket that wraps around us and soothes our cares. Second, many, many of you are coming forward with offers of physical support in every shape, color and size - sustenance for our physical needs, if you will. Finally, God is with us, speaking to us in His scripture, in songs and hymns, in poetry and the gentle words of fellow believers, and occasionally, through more direct ways. I wanted to tell you about one of these.

Yesterday morning, another family joined us in the waiting room. They were friends and family of a young lady who had been in a car accident. I was feeling oppressed and had been reading scripture when they came in, but stopped to talk with them and pray with them for a bit. Boy, was I surprised to find that God wasn't intending for me to comfort them, but for the young lady's father to minister to me! This fellow, an ex-Marine brother in Christ named Tod, spoke with authority of God's power in these times of trial. His passion and faith filled the waiting room, and I found myself sitting on the floor at his feet as his faith in his God reminded us of God's faithfulness to His children. Wow!

The story gets better - a few minutes later, Cherié came in with the news about Connor's angiogram, along with its potential outcomes. As we scampered down to the other waiting room to pray, I found Tod trotting next to me. About eight of us gathered in the other waiting room and knelt down to pray. I felt like we invaded the waiting room, but as we started to pray a sense of power filled the room. God used Tod to pray powerfully for my son, and I soon found that it wasn't us who had invaded the waiting room, but rather the Spirit of God. I don't think I've ever heard someone pray in such a power- and faith-filled way. It was a fantastic few moments of communion with our Father and my fellow believers, and almost overwhelming. You already know the outcome of the test, but it was most clearly an answer to prayer.

I'm sure you realize that this isn't about Tod - it's about our God. I just wanted to share with you how God is providing for us each moment. It makes me ashamed at how often I find myself wrestling with my despair, when the blatant evidence of God's provision is so clearly laid out around me.

I would ask that you also take time to lift up Tod's daughter, Vanessa. In fact, I've learned through this episode that there are many, many hopeless and struggling people sitting in a hospital near you, right this minute. They need the ministering touch of God's people. Think about it.