Day 181 - December 12 - He's obviously doing better
I'm typing this on my phone as I sit in the living room, because Connor and his friend Josh have been goofing off and hogging the computer all evening! We made it through the night two days ago by giving the boy oxygen all night, and by the morning his saturation levels were back where they should be. Last night he slept without trouble, and today he even went for a bit of Christmas shopping this afternoon, so I wanted to thank all of you for your prayers and support.
I have a word of encouragement for those of you that may be feeling heavily impacted by Connor's story and situation. I have heard it said, in connection with our story, that some folks feel they have no heart for Christmas this year. I understand that, because I feel that way myself sometime. But my response to that sort of thinking, as gently and as full of love as I can manage, is to rebuke that thought. And here's why - Christmas is a celebration of more than just Christ's birth - it's a chance to celebrate the hope His birth represents - hope for redemption, hope that it will get better, hope that God actually does care dearly about every individual on the planet.
Now, if I sit and focus on our situation, it takes me about 30 seconds to sink into despondency and despair, which is only a hop, skip and a jump over to "not having the heart" to celebrate God caring so much about me that He set the salvation plan in motion in a small barn in Bethlehem. But if I keep my eyes on the Author and the Finisher of my faith, things look a bit different.
Don't get me wrong - I'm the first to focus on the hurdles that face me - but it seems to me that that's all the more reason to demonstrate that I believe, during the one time of the year when everybody will think about Christ (at least in passing), that He is active and powerful and personally involved in our lives. What better way to boldly show our faith out loud than to celebrate His worth in the middle of the storm.
(Plus, if it's incumbent upon me to keep the faith during this time in our lives, then I think it should be incumbent on you, too!)
----------------------------------------
Print This Page
posted by Eric Williamson @ 9:05 PM
9 Comments
Links to this post
9 Comments:
So glad to hear you had a good day. And yes, we have faith in our Lord this Christmas. Faith that He never breaks promises. Faith that He is a healer. Faith that He can supply us (and you) with the strength to carry on with all that burdens us because He is there to lift that burden off our shoulders if we ask Him to.
May you, Williamson Family, have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. You are VERY loved by our God and by the people that surround you (either in person or in cyber space). There is a WORLD of people that prays for you and God hears our prayers! AMEN to that!
Jennifer D.
I haven't commented before but I've been in constant prayer for you all. Our family is close friends of Alan's family. Our son will be in the wedding. Anyway, after I read your comment today I was moved to prayerfully send you some encouragement.
Christmas shouts to me that God has solved my biggest problem ever! I had a sin issue that separated me from any relationship with the Father, and justly granted me hell...so He sent His only Son as a sacrifice to deal with that and graciously and mercifully offer me eternal life with Him in heaven. So, if God can solve that huge of a problem, then He can bring healing to Connor, or to any of our sicknesses, sin issues, hurts, etc. But, when I focus on the "problem", whatever it is, it becomes bigger and God loses His omnipotence....just as you commented.
So, I remain in prayer for Connor's healing and for the whole family. May Christmas be the time of focusing on how awesome and sacrificial and powerful God can be, if He chooses, to heal us all.
Kept in His faithful love - Debbie
And I meant to say that God loses His omnipotence...in MY eyes, because God never loses His attributes, it's a faith issue with me when I'm focusing on me and my circumstances rather than on Him. I know you probably understood...just wanted to clarity that!
Eric,
My wife and I have been following Connor's situation almost from the beginning. Our daughter a number of years ago was a worker at Hume Lake. We have prayed for you and Connor as you shared all the things that have taken place. I was especially touched by your comments from Friday about your word of encouragement to those who don't feel like celebrating Christmas this year. Your words so well written have encouraged me. As I printed that day's blog out on my computer it also printed the blog from 12/10 where your heading was "I wish I were dead". What a contrast between the two days. What that told me was to continue to pray for you realizing that your family continues to have up and down days. So if I can be of encouragement to you, let me say that my wife and I will continue to pray for Connor and you.
Phil & Karen Medlin
Sacramento, CA
You guys continue to amaze and encourage me in your trial and in your willingness to share with all of us....even those of us that you don't personally know. Thank you for being an open book to us and for letting us always know how things are...good and not so good. God Bless the Williamson family.
Always in our prayers. Always.
Claudia in Norco
Eric,
Amen to your post!
And I say, too, "AMEN", Eric!! There IS much hope, but only in our Saviour. I'm getting ready to sing "We Are The Reason" next week. Here are some of the words from this oldie but goodie:
"As little children, we would dream of Christmas morn
And all the gifts and toys, we knew we'd find
But we never realized a baby born one blessed night
GAVE US THE GREATEST GIFT OF OUR LIVES
We were the reason that He gave His life,
We were the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give
TO SHOW US THE REASON TO LIVE
I've finally found the reason for living
It's in giving every part of my heart to Him
In all that I do, every word that I say
I'll be giving my all just for Him."
How I pray for the whole Connor Watch family that each of you will experience the true reason for living this Christmas season...JESUS!
Love you, Williamsons, and again we miss you,
Kristie for the Fresno Robinsons
What more can be said?
AMEN!
All I can say is "God bless you"--God is so good to us even in times when we are "down" or the economy doesn't seem like it's going the right way. I remember one year being so discouraged because I had just had a miscarriage the day before Thanksgiving...little did I know that, 2 days after Thanksgiving the next year, God would give me a beautiful baby girl. She just turned 23 but that helps remind me that God does things in His time--which isn't always the same as our idea. But in all things, we can give Him the thanks and the glory.
Thank you for your post!
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home