Day 204 - January 4 - Football?
Do y'all watch football? I used to watch a lot back in the day - I've been a Cowboys fan since nine months before I was born - but nowadays I don't catch too many games. But Connor and the family caught part of the wild card game yesterday between the Colts and the Chargers. The Colts seemed to have a much better team - they were effective and organized, and we watched the Chargers play just mediocre ball. They had some unbelievable turnovers, simply giving the ball away; they made some really bad play calls; they even had one play where one of their defensive players trotted off the field instead of actually sticking around and doing what he was supposed to do. That one allowed Indianapolis to score a touchdown - pretty much a freebie.
By the end of the fourth quarter, the Chargers were losing 17-14. But they kept their heads in the game - they got thrown for losses and kept coming back; they fought and refought for the same yardage as they struggled down the field, and tied the game with a field goal with just a few seconds left, forcing the game into overtime.
The Chargers kept the steam going, and they pushed and pushed their way downfield in OT until they scored a touchdown and won the game against (what I thought) was a better ball club. And the reason they won was not really because they had a better team or because they deserved it more - they won because they wanted it more and wouldn't take no for an answer. Even after an hour of getting beat up and battered, they kept putting their heads down and did what they came to do - win.
Y'all are smart enough to figure out the little pep talk I'm giving myself here, so I won't elaborate much except to ask you to continue to pray for us. It would be so easy to simply give up and quit - quite honestly, none of us have the endurance or perseverance for this life, and we are desperate for your prayer support. We don't like screwing our courage and faith to the sticking point multiple times daily, and we are regularly oppressed by despair, discouragement, and depression. So this is just a simple request for your prayer cover.
Connor spent another quiet weekend at home, for the most part. We had a good discussion the other day with the whole family, and the consensus was that we know God is doing something important through Connor, and we believe that this is a trial that is necessary for Connor to go through in order to become the man God desires him to be. So I am also asking that you begin to lift Connor up specifically - that he might have a thirst for God's Word, that he would have a desire to know Him, and that he would pursue God's purpose in his life fervently. Please also pray for me, that I would be able to effectively lead and minister to the boy in these areas. If you want to prove that God's got a sense of humor, just take a look at the notion of having me try to lead someone significant in a spiritual sense - it's like getting Groucho Marx to help Billy Graham to know God better ("that's the most ridiculous thing I ever hoird"!)
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posted by Eric Williamson @ 7:42 AM
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11 Comments:
We watched that game last night, and it was an exciting game. If "my team" is not playing, I always root for the underdog. I do not know why? Maybe it is because it makes for a better story, huh?
I love the New Year! It is always a fresh start on things. I read about Joelle taking her first sip of soda since 2007. I had that goal, but only made it to April. So far, I have stayed away from soda for four days. Yippee! :)
Anyway, we (Brendan and I) are still praying. I am praying that 2009 will bring many miracles to us all. The "world" says it does not look good, but our God is bigger than this world!
May God bless you today!
For some reason, I keep thinking that God's work here is not specifically just IN Connor, but THROUGH him. I know that his situation certainly makes me ponder daily God's Word regarding healing, His purposes for trials, etc. When you recently posted about how his accident has grown everyone in the family regarding their relationship with Christ, I really found myself thinking hard. I wondered how I would respond if I was one of you; would I say that the new growth, closeness, and conformation of my character to the image of Christ was worth the trial Connor is enduring? Would I be willing to trade it away to see him whole again? And I have asked myself: what is phyical wholeness compared to spiritual wholeness? One of them will end with this life and one will be carried through into eternity. Just how much value do I really place on the spiritual me vs. the physical me?
I am tenacious about this situation with Connor because I want to hear what God is doing through each person whose life has been touched because of this young man. I want to change and conform more and more to the likeness of Christ, and have THAT as my highest goal. And I want to learn whatever God wants to teach me through this situation. I pray that as He continues to guide us and lead us through Connor's trial which is so costly and difficult, that Connor would know that the huge role he plays is eternally significant.
On the sidelines cheering and praying!
During worship at church this morning as we were singing Blessed be the Name of the Lord, and Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus, my mind went to your family, and I prayed that you truly would be able to trust Jesus in this situation. I don't say that glibly because I know how extremely difficult that can be. I can't help but believe that God has something big for Connor. Is there some type of ministry that he could be involved in now while you continue to pray for his healing?
My husband has also always been a Cowboy's fan. Right now I'm watching basketball hoping that the Blazers can beat the Lakers. I hope I didn't just make a bunch of enemies.
I'll contine to be praying that Connor will truly become a giant for God. I also have a feeling that you are a great spiritual leader for him. Sometimes one of the keys to greatness is being honest enough to admit our weakness. You lay yourself open better than most of us I'm sure.
Blessings to you all.
Greetings,
Thank you for your blog and ongoing updates. We continue to keep all of you in our prayers.
I am troubled by your thought that "we believe that this is a trial that is necessary for Connor to go through in order to become the man God desires him to be." I can't reconcile any reason that God would want anyone to suffer a SCI and have a post-SCI life that you are now trying to endure.
I know for our Christian friend who sustained a C4 diving injury, he and his family are like you, trying to get by -- now over 5 years post injury. Why should he and his family believe that this unbelievably difficult life is necessary for him to become the man God intends and for his family to what grow, endure, survive? I can't believe that a spinal cord injury or any other catatrophic injury or disease is "necessary".
I hope you and your family are getting some assistance. All of you remain in our prayers.
I never stop praying for Connor and your family.
Being no stranger to suffering recently someone conveyed a truth that has helped me immensely. That is, to always remember that as believers this is the closest to hell we will ever get and whatever we struggle with in this life is temporal and transient, not eternal. That in the end, there is but one goal to this life: Salvation. To know Jesus and make Him known. I hope this helps you too.
Dear Anonymous, 7:04 PM
I completely understand where you are coming from. From a human perspective that kind of suffering makes no sense at all. But in James chapter one starting off the chapter he clearly states that God uses trials in our lives to make us mature and complete. He ends the chapter saying that when we have stood the test we will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
Now I'm not saying that that is why this happened to Connor, but it certainly is a possibility. It is also possible that it is just because we live in a fallen and imperfect world. One day we will understand perfectly. Someday I will be able to say,"God you were so right in allowing the suffering in my life." Maybe not yet, but someday when I see things perfectly.
Dear Eric, Thank you (as always) for the pep talk - If it hasn't already been suggested multiple times, your blogs should be gathered up, printed and published into an inspirational daily devotional guide.
Regarding your prayer request for Connor's spiritual hunger for God's word and desire to grow closer to Him - this is what I am praying for my two sons (age 23 and 19) and as I pray for them I will also include Conner even as I continue to pray for a complete restoration of his body. AMEN!!!
Well said, Charlene.
I continue to pray for Connor in every way. I also pray for the individual family members as God plops them in my mind.
Pat Robertson always spends several days in prayer at the end of the year, asking God to give him insight as to what the new year will present. He then shares what he believes the Lord told him with his staff on New Year's Day. He then summarized this message on his 700 Club show on January 5. You can hear it yourself if you log on to their website. One thing that particularly sparked my interest is the increased miracles we will be witnessing this year. I am believing for such a miracle to take place in Connor's body.
Then I was reading in Matthew 5 last night. Vs 23: Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among his people. (I stopped, held my open Bible to my chest and asked Jesus to heal my body of all my disease and sickness.) Vs. 24: News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the PARALYZED, and HE HEALED THEM. (I threw my hand up and spoke out loud, "that's for Connor!") Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He still heals the sick, lame, blind, tormented, wounded heart and paralyzed. I have even seen testimonies of those who are being raised from the dead. And more such events are going to increase this year!
I'm still expecting great things!
Renée
Lebanon, TN
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