Day 134 - October 26 - How big is this thing?
Taking a look at the website's map, and talking about what's been going on with friends and family, in particular with Brad and Kent, it's quite apparent that this is all much, much bigger than simply a story about an injured teenager. From the beginning, many people besides us have found God moving in their lives, often in very profound ways, and many times with no other connection to Connor and our family than this blog. I suppose this shouldn't surprise me, since I've "believed" since I was a child that God is much bigger than I can imagine. Being confronted with this much bigger God, however, is a bit of a different story! I guess I didn't realize that a God who is bigger, greater, and more powerful than I can even conceive would actually be bigger, greater, and more powerful than I can conceive!
I am told every week about something God is doing in someone's life through this. Some of these things are more on the mundane side (as if anything God is doing could be mundane!), like causing someone to read the Bible more, or encouraging someone's faith to grow. Other stories being told, however, border on the amazing - marriages being reconciled, parent/child relationships drawing close again; things that on one hand might seem to be "normal", but are they really?
I watch people gather around us, building an addition, or bringing meals, or offering us every sort of aid you can imagine - and I catch a very small glimpse of how much bigger this whole thing is than just my son and my family - and I'm amazed.
But, being the guy I am, I wonder "Why? What does it mean? What's going on?" alot. I wanted to put a bug in your ear that I hope to begin exploring that in more depth over the next few weeks - What is God doing through all of this? If God can do more than I can think or imagine, be advised that I can imagine quite a bit. It's exceedingly exciting to think of the global impact God has already made through Connor's story, and to speculate a bit on what's going to happen from it. I hope to be able to include each of you in that discussion, as well, and I'm looking forward to hearing what the Lord has been doing in you through this journey.
An update - Connor spent the day tired and lethargic yesterday. We ended up turning away a number of visitors because it just wasn't a good day; if you were one of them, thank you for understanding. Please be praying that today God's mercies will be apparent to the boy as he goes through his day. This seems to be the pattern for Connor... a few days full of guests wears him out and he needs a day or two to regain his strength. Four months in the hospital really depleted him of rest. So thanks for being patient with us.
I don't tell y'all often enough - we love you! Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support.
Eric
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posted by Eric Williamson @ 11:12 PM
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Unlike you, Eric, I am afraid that I don't conceive a bigger God in some of my personal situations -- only for those situations "out there," and for others. I'm repenting of seeing a stingy God, then, and I thank you for the reminder, once again, of how awesome His works are. Blessings on your week,
Sharon, it sounds like you're a lot like me! And that's my point - I am (unfortunately) often too comfortable with a god that can fit in my personal "box" - who is what I think He is. Fortunately for all of us, He is much, much greater than that...
Keep the faith, sis!
Thank you Sharon and Eric for sharing from your hearts. I believe that part of God's work in the Williamson family is to show the rest of us more often than not "Doubting Thomases" that His ways are His ways and rather than trying to dissect and understand every thing that happens, to just trust and believe that He always has our best interests at heart. I am still struggling with that myself. Unlike you Eric being able to see the Bigger God in it all, I am still going "Was that God or was that just one of those coincidences?" when something remarkable does happen that I have been talking (praying) to God about. Still so much work to be done and it is ongoing isn't it?
Blessings to you all.
The Robinsons are here and still praying and missing you all. Wade and I were gone Wed-Sat down in LA for a Talbot retreat but are back at it. What a great break. My mom came from WA to help out.
Yes, God is doing so much through this and I know you will keep seeing it. Our 5 kids are being strengthened by your family's courage and honesty. Connor, I know the pressure is great, but young people are watching you and your response. Thanks for giving them a real example of a "normal" young man on this not-so-normal journey holding fast to our Saviour.
We love you all,
Kristie for the Robinsons
A sister in Christ recently sent me a copy of an interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life”. A copy also resides at http://www.sonnyradio.com/rickwarrenspeaksout.htm
As I read the interview I could not help but think of you and your family. Warren is very clear about explaining one of the “easiest ways to get rid of pain.” He recommends getting “your focus off yourself and onto God and others.” You and your family have demonstrated an honorable and insatiable need to just that. Thank you for your testament and know that my family will continue to lift up Conner in prayer. Stay firm in your belief that God is in control. May His will be done.
Blessings and good morning Connor and family, I haven't commented for a while but here in Downey we are still continually lifting your entire family up in prayer, every day someone asks "how is Connor"
I myself Eric, tend to look on and can see the work of the Lord and even see reasons why He's allowing things to happen I think as we are on the outside looking in we see the ripple effect that keeps going and going and I tell you through Connor's and your entire families sufferings the ripples have gone far and wide it has caused me to grow in the Lord to dig into God's Word to pray without ceasing and to be thankful for and in everything. I see that the suffering in your life has caused you to persevere to grow in Godly character to die to self over and over I think it's a minute by minute struggle but soon the minutes will turn into hours and then days and so on. Now He has given you a new profession and you all are persevering in that too, as you've become a caregiver and a servant you are becoming more like Jesus everyday and I guess that's what this life here on earth is all about the plans we have for ourselves are different from the plans He has for us I believe that through this we have all let go of self and given a little more up to what God desires for us. I can even see a glimpse of why God allowed this to happen in your family, because He knew your hearts and your love for Him He knew that He would be glorified through you all in this. Sometimes when I talk to new believers and they know that following Jesus will bring on trials of many kinds IM afraid they will back off because it scares them but it seems they always Feel that sweet love that only comes from our Lord the strength and the security, all the trials in the world with Jesus are far better than a life without Him.
I guess like the song, Better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere, amen!
We love you guys and are being blessed by watching the army that God has raised up in humble service, also Connor none of us can know how you feel but we can know how you have made us feel and how God has given us the ability to love more to care more to pray more to fight more and to get down prostrate before Him and continually cry out Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come, amen!
Loving you and thanking God for you and praying for you here in Downey
I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:1-3
Linda and all the others out there,
Your words blessed me this morning and reminded me of something in which I have been remiss lately - praising our gracious God. Thank you.
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