Day 18 - July 3 - Cue the deer
I often imagine God watching from on high, orchestrating the events that we encounter as we move through our lives. In a way, it reminds me of the movie "Funny Farm", where Chevy Chase is trying to sell an undesirable house by staging an idyllic country scene. In one moment, as the potential buyers move to the porch, he grabs a walkie-talkie and whispers into it "Cue the deer!", at which point a local hidden in the woods releases a doe and a couple fawns, which scamper across the lawn just in time to be sighted by the buyers.
God doesn't do those things to deceive, of course, but He does move people and things through our lives to bless and encourage us. We had one of those a few minutes ago...
I had been having some thoughts today that perhaps this might be the best I could hope for. I'm getting tired, and it's easy for me to lose track of my thoughts, and I was letting my guard slip and these thoughts were sneaking through. Anyway, Cherié and I were taking some cookies (provided very generously by a local restaurant which has been providing meals for us all week) in to the nursing staff as a small sign of our appreciation, and we were waiting to be admitted to the ICU when a woman standing next to us struck up a conversation. She asked us why we were here, and we explained that our son had broken his neck. She asked at what level his injury had occurred, and we told her "C4/C5". She responded "Well, I hope this encourages you, but 10 years ago I was on life support because of a C3 injury". We went "What?" and she told her that her C2 and C3 vertebrae were fused after she broke her neck in a friend's yard. Here she was, standing in the hallway, telling us of her survival through an injury higher than Connor's. She said "I'm a living testimony to the power of healing". She also told us that her mom, while she was in the hospital, had told the doctors "My God is bigger than you are, so you just need to be quiet!" To say we were encouraged would be a significant understatement!
By the way, she never went into ICU. She was gone when we came out. I don't know her name - as a matter of fact, I can't remember anything about her except "C2/C3". I don't know anything else, but I'm convinced that God brought our lives into intersection at that moment to pass that word to us. So we will take that encouragement as another sign of God's provision for us. Praise the Lord!
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posted by Eric Williamson @ 2:18 PM
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22 Comments:
He is the Father of mercies, the God of all comfort... How tenderly He ministers to you!
Lee
I cry as I read your log on c2/c3 today, more so than any other time. Glory is His Name.
PEACE, PERFECT PEACE
"I will give you assured peace in this place" Jeremiah 14:13
In his book, Hope For Each Day, the Reverend Billy Graham talks about imagining a ferocious ocean storm with lightning, thunder, waves lashing the rocks. Inside a crevice in the rocky cliff you see a tiny bird, its head serenely tucked under its wing, fast asleep, at peace with the knowledge that the rock will protect it. God promised Moses "I will put you in the cleft of the rock and will cover you with MY hand."
Exodus 33:22) That is God's promise to us. Christ is our Rock and we are secure in His hands forever. The storm rages, but our hearts are at rest. - Billy Graham
I truly believe that God placed that woman in your path today as a source of encouragement. Connor is that "little bird" protected in the crevice of the rock by the arms of Jesus. Praise God for sending his angels to watch over Connor and your family, pointing us all towards the path of Christ. We continue to pray for Connor's steady progress in healing.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Joan Grewohl
(Drew Delgadillo's Aunt)
She was an Angel! Telling you that good things are to come. I had a dream of Connor the other night, he was at a Chiro or PT appt. Walking, Smiling, Happy and Laughing! I believe we will all see him at that state someday soon. Love you all!! Sara
I'm crying.
Thank you, LORD, for sending just the right person to encourage Eric and Cherie. God not only *can* work miracles, He *does* work them!
Amen!
Praise God for his PERFECT timing. He had it all planned for you to meet today! We continue to praise God for all the miracles and continue to lift you up.
Jack & Mimi Robinson
Palo Cedro, CA
God always knows when we need that extra special encouragement. I know in my own life, (although, it is not even near your trials), that God's timing is always perfect.
I know you feel the same way, but God truly has sent me to a wonderful church. The people at West Hills are some of the best prayer warriors I have ever met.
I am so thankful that Connor is being prayed for around the clock! He is a miracle in the making!
God bless and may He give you a Happy 4th!
I've just heard about your son today, and I wanted to just let you know you're all in my prayers. In fact, a whole site of Christian women are lifting Connor and your family up daily - most of us are from the States, but there's even one in Australia. So, if you don't have that on your map, now you do! ;-)
Anyway, I didn't really have anything to say that relates to your post today. I just figured that responding to the latest is the best way to go. I will be following Connor's progress and praying as he comes into mind.
God bless you all,
Heather
Illinois
I just read your C2 C3 story...and as I was praising God with you...I realized what was playing on my cd.
I stood in the middle of my front room praising God with hands raised for what He did for you by that divine encounter...
Your Grace Still Amazes Me
My faithful Father, enduring Friend
Your tender mercy's like a river with no end
It overwhelms me, covers my sin
Each time I come into Your presence
I stand in wonder once again
Your grace still amazed me
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
'Cause Your grace still amazes me
Your grace still amazes me
Oh patient savior, You make me whole
You are the Author and the Healer of my soul
What can I give You, Lord, what can I say
I know there's no way to repay You
Only to offer You my praise.
Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
'Cause your grace still amazes me
Your grace still amazes me
It's deeper, it's wider, it's stronger, it's higher,
Than anything my eyes can see.
Praise the Lord....
We can overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
We give all Glory and Praise to God.
Blessings, Bonnie
Conner, et al.:
I also am rocked by the image of crew cut, ripped, m16 carrying angels around Conner, one taking the point position, with others taking up the rear, and still more on Conner's flanks,saying to Conner, "Dude, no fear! God's Squad is here!" Then turning to the platoon, "Let's roll!"
Awesome. Powerful.
Donna (Wife of a ripped, former US Marine)
Tumwater WA
You don't know me and I don't know you. I have maybe met Connor one time and Cherie once briefly at Shaver Lake. I am David Jackson's sister Luanne who lives in Az. I do know Joelle and she an Nicole once came for a visit with us in AZ. I condsider myself a very seasoned well rounded nurse of 20 years that knows nothing about spinal cord injuries in the acute care stage. I have taken care of 2 boys in our community that are now in their 30's who where injured as teenagers. I do know from that what you have posted here for any patient.... is right on target for expectation with recovery. I am with God in my own way and have been praying daily for Conner and your family. I have told Joelle that I am at your service for any needs when Connor gets home. My specially is pediatric nursing, for whatever that is worth. I am currently in Idaho at our 2nd home doing home nursing for a 4 year old boy who has leukemia. Jason, my son, who is now a radiography tech.& graduates from his program in NOv/Dec. has also taken care of one of the above mentioned yound men with spinal cord injury in that young man's home. Please don't ever awake wresting with a lie. You have done the best for Connor and your choices are medically right on from what I can see from your postings. Seductive lies will always be lingering but I can assure you after research of where Connor is, he is in the best place possible for his type of injury. My blessings are with you and your family. my email address is luanne_schmidt@hotmail.com.
Praise the Lord! I claim the promise He has given you today through the C2/C3 lady.
Father, thank You for the angels You put in our paths as we need them.
Everything happens for a reason, with God there are no accidents, Our God is in total control everything goes through him first, He allowed this to happen to Connor and now he sent this bit of encouragement to refresh and renew your hope, how awesome is that? He is using Connor and the entire Williamson family to draw people to Himself, IM convenced of this I see it happening in my own family people are just watching and waiting. To God be the Glory, Let everythin that has breath praise the Lord!
In Christ, Linda, from Downey
Only our God knows what we need... and when we need it! Praise be to Him!!!
Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)
2 When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
On our knees in Gilroy
The Barths & Bates
Wow! It is great to see how much God has been working in your lives. I have been praying for all of you, because I know that these situations tend to be harder on the family than on the patient. You all are amazing for trusting God so whole heartedly, I know how difficult that can be! I love you all, even though I have never met you.
Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
O, our amazing, ever-faithful God! This story gives me chills. I am constantly touched and awestruck by how this story unfolds day by day.
Two verses were brought to me to share with you:
"For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways." (Ps 91:11)
"I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely." (Ps 16:7-9)
Praying for you & you are ever in my thoughts.
Rhonda (WHCC)
Hi!
Stumbled upon your blog whilst searching for a commentary on Ps 119. Praying alongside you from Singapore :)
Oh my word!! Even the search engines are being impacted by Connor...read the post just above this one. They "stumbled upon" the blog while searching. And now another warrior has joined our prayer team. That's really, really cool. Make sure Singapore is on this list if it's not already.
Eric, this post on the C2/C3 lady (reminds me of C3PO) and Tod's description of angels and how you shared that with Connor really blessed me. I'm so thankful that God put Tod in that hospital at the same time as you. I know he must be such an encouragement. Your conversations with Connor are evidence of the value of hiding God's word in our heart...then when you are in a hospital room, six inches from your son's face God brings those verses (and stories) back to you and you're able to minister to Connor. What a beautiful example of what a Christian dad is supposed to be.
As I read the post about you and Chérie being comforted by the C2/C3 lady's story, this hymn came to my mind...
I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene.
And wonder how He could love me, a sinner condemned unclean.
How marvelous! How wonderful! And my song shall ever be.
How marvelous! How wonderful, is my Savior's love for me.
For me it was in the garden He prayed, "Not my will, but thine."
He had no tears for His own griefs, but sweat drops of blood for mine.
He took my sins and my sorrows, He made them His very own.
He bore the burden to Calvary, and suffered and died alone.
When with the ransomed in glory, His face I at last shall see.
'Twill be my theme through the ages to sing of His love for me.
How marvelous! How wonderful! And my song shall ever be
How marvelous! How wonderful, is my Savior's love for me.
Please give our love to Chérie and Joélle.
Blessings to all of you,
Sherri
Eric and Cherie,
I missed seeing you both tonight at the annual "3rd of July" street dance! But I was happy to see Joelle and give her a big hug.
As you have been for a few weeks, you and Connor are daily in my prayers. You have a world of prayer warriors, and the Lord hears! Keep holding on.
~S
AS Morgan Hill Bible and WHCC meet this morning for the annual 4th of July parade, we'll be thinking and praying for you! I'm sorry I didn't get to meet Joelle last night, I hope that I'll be able to this morning.
Keep looking up, He'll sustain us through anything!
As always,
Michawn
MHBC
Hey Family, this is Independance Day and this is my prayer for Connor today ( for Independance from the breathing machine ) Thank you Lord for loving us so much thank you Lord for the Hope we have in you, Amen!
We love you guys and are praying as we are being blessed by your faithfulness,Today July 4th is going to be a great day, Amen!
Be Blessed and thank you Lord for the Freedom we have in you, Wow, there is so much to be thankful for today.
In Christ, Linda, from Downey
Eric wrote: "I told Connor I was praying the God would let Connor have a glimpse of his unseen help, and that maybe one night he would open his eyes to see a great big, Marine-looking guy with wings out of his back, standing there with drawn sword, who would turn around and see Connor looking at him and say 'Got your back, bud. Hold fast.'"
Later Eric wrote: "By the way, she never went into ICU. She was gone when we came out. I don't know her name - as a matter of fact, I can't remember anything about her except 'C2/C3'. I don't know anything else, but I'm convinced that God brought our lives into intersection at that moment to pass that word to us."
Maybe God did for you what you prayed for Connor.
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