Day 3 - June 18 - Do You Remember?
Dear Eric,
This is not the first time you have had to battle for your son. . . .
Do you remember the time you came alone to Charlottesville for a visit, and you relayed the following experience?
You told Kent and me of a time in the recent past when Connor was asleep in bed (he was about 8 years old?). You woke in the wee hours of the morning with a terrible sense that Connor was in danger and you needed to rescue him. As you entered his room, you were aware of an overwhelming darkness filling his room, and the enemy was poised, ready to destroy Connor as he slept. You knelt at his bed, prayed fervently over him, covered him, and battled the enemy on his behalf. Your sense was that the prince of darkness had come and was seeking to devour Connor. You did intervene, and through the name of Jesus saw the enemy flee.
Upon reflecting on this experience with us, you were humbled and full of wonder and expectancy. You knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that God had a particular calling on Connor's life, that He had set him apart for a divine purpose. And Satan wanted nothing more than to not just thwart those plans, but to utterly destroy your son so that God's purposes would not be accomplished.
I have never forgotten sitting with you around our table and listening to you describe the encounter you had that night. And as I have seen Connor grow up, even from a distance, I have remembered, and have been anticipating the revelation of God's calling on Connor. I am also certain that Satan does not give up easily in his determination to destroy the servants of the Most High. He had an agenda with Connor that would certainly go beyond one night's battle. So now is not the time to give up. Not is the time to arm yourself and battle for Connor again. And the good news is this. . . . You are not one man battling in the middle of the night. You are now hundreds of believers around the globe all battling on Connor's behalf. And we are battling on your behalf, too. So it's not all on you this time.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.9Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.10And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.11To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:8-11
I will pray as you asked, that you will see the mercies of each day and recognize that they are there. I will also pray for a spirit of hope to reside within and around you and Connor. And of course we are fervently asking God for Connor's healing and restoration.
We love you all,
Karen
Virginia
posted by Kent C. Williamson @ 8:18 PM
21 Comments
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21 Comments:
Hi...Just wanted to let you know that you and your family are in our prayers. My neice, Jessica, emailed us about Connor.
I walked into work on Tuesday morning to pick up my paycheck (my wife and I were on our way to the hospital for her c-section) and our receptionist informed me that Connor had been hurt.
I have to say it really threw me for a loop. Here I was, about to bring a beautiful baby girl into the world and this kid that had worked his behind off next to me was laid up in the hospital with potential life threatening injuries.
I got as much information as I could and continued on my journey with my wife. Later that night, I turned on my Blackberry around 3.00 am when my new child had finally fell asleep and Googled Connor.
Needless to say, the information led me straight to this site and gave me hope that he will be okay.
Now, I am not really a religious man, but as everyone knows, all hospital rooms come with a Bible. Well, for the first time in a long time, I opened one up, letting it decide where to lay and this is what it had to say:
“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)
I think that for quite some time I will ponder on what it really means and what it may mean for Connor, but his ordeal has even more so increased my faith. Every time I say a prayer, he will be in it...
And Connor, if you are reading this, hurry up and get well soon so I can buy you another lunch at Round Table! Good luck, kid...
Michael
Dearest Williamson family and most importantly Connor (my second brother),
My heart has been breaking for you all. I cannot say that I have been there, because I haven't. What I do know is that Connor is extremely loved, not only by his family, but it is also evident that he is literally loved all over the world. As Karen said in this post, Connor is still fighting for a reason. I know that it may be hard not knowing what the reason is, but I believe that everything happens for a reason. I struggled with this when I first heard the news of the accident. I was in complete shock. Why God does it have to be Connor, a man that has the world at his feet and opportunities knocking at his door, God why Connor? But you know what? Connor's faith is like that of a child's he is strong and leans hard on the Lord, using the Him as a crutch. There is a song that I heard on my iPod today. I think that it is very fitting to this situation. It is called "In Me" by Casting Crowns. I would encourage you all to listen to it. The reason for Connor's accident may not be completely evident now, it may not even be evident in the future, but we need to have faith in the Almighty God that there is a reason. And if that reason is so that more people are brought to the Lord, then so be it. That just means that there are more people to party with in Heaven! God knows exactly what He is doing. I would encourage you to be patient and wait to see what miraculous things God will do with Connor's situation. As much as my heart is breaking, I am excited to see what comes out of this. I will continue to lift you all up in my prayers. I love you Connor and can't wait to give you a huge hug.
Cera Singley
California (MHBC)
To the Williamson family,
I just want you to know that all of our thoughts and prayers are with all of you! Connor is a wonderful person and we just know god is looking over him! I have added his name to our prayer boards and to our 52 parish prayer lists! Even though they are Catholic churches I figure god doesn't know a denomination only that one of his beautiful children needs his help! If there is anything that we can do for you please let us know! I pray for the day when Connor comes running home, back to the court and to his amazing family! Please keep us updated on Connor's progress and miraculous recovery!
All our love and prayers go out to you! May god bless you all and especially Connor as he heals and becomes stronger!
The Ledwells on Ranger Court
Connor, Eric, Cherie and family--Just wanted you to know that a steady flow of prayer for all of you is going up from Zambia too! We ache for you, weep with you, look to God with you and on your behalf, and are praying that God will give you all supernatural strength to trust Him a day at a time. We liked the "baby steps" post and are praying that He'll give you courage for each moment as it comes--moment by moment, day by day.
Glenn & Liese Ripley, Stephen, Gift, & Grace
Lusaka, Zambia
I was up in bed, reading in "Friendly Fire, Why is God Shooting at Me?", by William G. Johnson, when I was struck with this passage and felt God wanted me to come downstairs and post it - so it might encourage you in the morning.
****************
Page 89
"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God. I myself will see him with my own eyes - I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:25-27)
By now, we are cheering for Job. Where is there a more magnificent example of genuine faith? Job's perseverance is a tremendous encouragment to us. He says, "If it takes eternity to prove it, so be it! If I don't understand until I stand with Him, I will then."
This is a faith that reaches out beyond present pain and puzzlement and, while facing inner turmoil honestly, can still receive victory. In times of trial and temptation, we do not have to pretend that we are not hurting, nor do we have to be ashamed. We turn to Jesus. There is comfort now and the promise that if it takes eternity to realize it, God's love has not failed.
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakednesss or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-39)
***************
I pray those words were an encouragement to you, as they were to me. Praise God for the victories of faith in the midst of truthful turmoil. May you find solace in being 'more than conquerors.'
I am praying much needed sleep for Connor and the entire family - and a bright sunrise in the morning - for weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning. That is my prayer this moment for you...
maureen for the hinds~jackson family
san jose
We are praying for you that the Lord will strengthen you in this time. "Do not fear for I am with you, do not anxouisly look about for I am your God. I will strengthen you surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" Is 41:10
You are in our thought and prayers.
Chris and Danielle Beck (Ohio)
I love you guys. My heart really geos out to you guys, my second family. I just want you guys to know i love you all! I will try and make it down asap.
We are all praying.
Love,
George
san martin, ca
Your atory has reached us here in Ohio. My family will continue to pray for you and your family. Have lots of Faith, and the Lord will take care of you all. Thank you for sharing your story, for it has really touched my families and my heart. We love you and may God Bless each and every one of You!!!!
Joey and Cindy,
Eric, you are an amazing Father and I too now weep and I praise God for you strienght, for your tool box is far superior to most of ours,I don't suggest that I know what you are going thru but I do know that I would fail in comparison. Cindy reminds me that she is confident that God has a plan for Conner, You, and the famaly and I to somtimes just don't understand.
Love you all.
Joey and Cindy
Good Morning,
We are praying for Connor and the Williamson family. We hurt with you, but don't even come close to knowing what each of you are going through. I am praying Philippians's 4: 4-8, 2Corinthians 4:7-12 and 2Corinthians 416-18 for you. May your body be healed according to His plan and may your spirit be renew day by day. You are lifted up.
Julie
Hume Lake.
Williamsons,
Hope and pray this day brings good news and strength, peace and restoration to all of you from this roller coaster ride from hell. I find myself checking every few hours on this blog for news about Connor. Eric your Despair and Hope entry had all of us crying here. CJ wants to write on her own but is having trouble knowing what to say. She like all of us are very sad and find all of this a little hard to believe.
We trust God's sovereignty although it is hard to understand. We trust Him and pray that he makes Himself known to you throughout this day in a very real way.
Love, Hope and Prayers,
The Wrye Family
Cherie, Eric, Joelle and Connor
I will be watching the blog updates and praying with you!
"Cast all your cares upon Him...
Lay all of your burdens ...down at His feet...and anytime ( WE) don't know...what to do...
We can cast all our cares upon Him!"
I look forward... hopefully... to a miraculous answer to our prayers.
I am notifying the prayer warriors I know to join the fight!!!!
May God comfort you and strengthen you and continue to provide all that you need each day!
All my love ( wish I could hug you!! )
Janet O'Connor
Once in California ..then in Colorado..now in Memphis, Tennessee
Life is a journey :-)
best enjoyed.. ( or endured ..) when we let God lead the way!!!
Janet
Praying like crazy for all of you.
Palatine, IL
To our family:
I teach a 2nd thru 6th grade children's mission class on Wed. night at Wooster Baptist Church, here in Baytown, Tx. At the end of our time, we always have prayer requests. So last night, after the children had all had a chance, I told them about Connor. Each one of them sat motionless listening to my every word. Our boys at church had just returned from camp on Sunday, so they were all concerned. I told them about him being paralyzed but yet singing hymns from his bed. I told them of him asking to pray for the others there in the hospital who are in serious condition. I told my kids that Connor is a true example of what a Christian is. They were all quiet. Then one of the boys asked to lead our closing prayer. He asked that God heard all of the prayer requests and would "take care" of them. Then he said.."God, please be with Connor, heal him, keep him from pain". I was so touched that he called Connor by name, because they had never heard of Connor before I told them his story. This was a 10 yr. old boy, who was touched by Connor's situation and the faith shown. They all committed to pray daily for Connor and his family. I just wanted to share that with all of you, because there are so many people out here who you have never met that are praying for all of you. When I faced my cancer in Jan. 2006, I never felt alone, because I had people all over the world praying for me. I would say outloud many times a day, especially when I was going thru my chemo....I can do anything through Christ, who strenghtens me. He saw me through a difficult time, and He is there for all of you now. Feel His arms around you, pray His will be done, and turn it over completely to Him. You will be rewarded with the peace that He will grant you. We send all our love from Texas to each of you. Thank you again for the blog
Dear Williamson Family ~
We are your church family at WHCC. We wanted to express great sorrow for your very difficult situation. As a parent I can not imagine the pain of this for you. Just know that you have encouraged me through your pain. We will continue to keep you all in our prayers. And thank you Karen for 1 Peter 5:8-11. The love of our Lord endures FOREVER ~
Sincerely ~ The Rices in CA
Dear Connor and Williamson family,
We don't know each other well but we know of each other. We are finding ourselves loving you very much, praying, pleading and crying for you. We look forward to rejoicing with you.
We can't pretend to know what you are going through but it is the desire of our heart that you will find some comfort in this verse.
" Just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows." 2 Cor 1:5
The Lhermines
Dear Williamson family,
We are heartbroken for you and thinking of Connor and your whole family in prayer each day.
~ Steve and Barbara Rea
Gilroy, CA
You do not know me, but I am praying for your son and your family. I will continue to lift all of you up in prayer. We believers truly are brothers and sisters in Christ.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Connor,
You are such an incredible young man. Even though we haven't had very many opportunities to get to know each other, I know without a doubt that God is using you for His glory. Whatever happens, keep your eyes on Jesus and remember how much He loves you.
Thousands are praying for you; stay strong, buddy, there is a reason. God is going to work miracles in your life, maybe not they way you would hope or expect...but He has a plan, Connor, and you're right in the center of it.
"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." - Deuteronomy 31:6
-Becki Lewis-
Turlock, CA
Dear Eric,
There is only one Father who never failed his Son in any way. But you know what? For a while it looked like He had...
Also, don't forget that--while God's purposes *will* be fulfilled--He has irrevocably given both humans and dark angels the freedom to set themselves against Him. So not all actions are God's handiwork. Karen's observations about your struggle with demons for Connor's sake are notable. But if God's grace abounds the more even in our own *sin*, just think how much more His grace abounds in tragedies like this. God didn't will this hideous nightmare onto you (somebody else did, though), but He can turn it into what will magnify Him and you all as well.
Yours,
Gene Godbold
Stanardsville, VA
P.S. My wife and I are friends of Kent and Karen and met you a few years ago. We're all praying for you.
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