Day 500 - October 28 - Indy 500
I must be depressed, because here it is, the 500th day since Connor's accident, and the only thing I can associate with the number 500 is the Indianapolis 500, which, unless you've lived your life lying unconscious on the beach on a remote tropical island somewhere, you know as the premier four-wheel motorsport event in America. It's also one of the most boring.
Ever since I discovered motorcycle road racing, I've found that motorsports that twist and turn and lay over on their side on purpose are a lot more fun to watch than a bunch of cars going in circles, even if they are doing it very fast. No offense to our NASCAR-loving members, but it's just not my bag.
So, here we are, 500 days into this journey, and you're asking "what's that got to do with the Indianapolis 500?" Well, let me tell you... Here's what happens at the Indy 500, from my slightly jaded perspective - you sit in an uncomfortable seat, either in the frying sun or the pouring rain, and you watch a bunch of cars go in circles, endlessly turning left for hours and hours on end. And as the noise increases, you say to yourself "Yep, here they come again". Repeat 500 times. Then go sit in traffic to go home. Sounds like my idea of a killer weekend - not.
Now, if you love Indy Car or NASCAR racing, please don't get too upset with me - I've got my own set of passions that you'll probably find ridiculous, too, so we're already even. No need to get into any rivalries over it all. But my perspective of the Indy 500 really shows a reflection of this whole journey for us. I continue to think of this as a journey, but more and more often it feels like we're just going around in circles. For 500 days we've done pretty much the same thing every day. For 500 days we've been crying out to God for His intervention, without visible results. I'm about to go insane with waiting for God to move (ask my mom - patience isn't my strong suit). And for what? Is the whole purpose of this significantly life-altering event so that we can be used as examples? I just don't understand how this is working for good for Connor, or for us, or for y'all, for that matter. Romans 8:28 says that it's supposed to - but how is it?
Fortunately, I can read on down a few verses and be reminded that Paul, at least, was convinced that nothing can separate us from God's love (Romans 8:38-39). So I can remember, in my head at least, that even though it sometimes feels like we've been rejected by God (and right now is one of those times, in case you didn't notice), it just isn't true. God is faithful to His word. He is the same, yesterday, and today, and forever. He is mighty to save. He is. Just watch.
And pray. The boy needs it, and we need it. I don't know how many more left turns we can make, but I do know I'd like a pitstop one of these days.
Thanks, y'all.
E.
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posted by Eric Williamson @ 6:26 AM
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5 Comments:
You are a great word picture person, Eric. How can I help but pray endurance for you and for your family and of course, Connor. (Besides the obvious, total healing). My prayer is that 500 days will seem like nothing once Connor is fully restored, but you all being in the middle of this trial, well, time must move very slowly. So, again, endurance for you all.
With love and prayers in Christ,
Claudia Rizzi
Norco, CA
Blessings Connor Family this is Linda from Downey I haven't posted in a long time but here in Downey you are in our prayers always I read a good devotion this morning by Pastor Greg Laurie and wanted to share. It blessed me and gives me hope I know it will do the same for you, Love you all and am praying for you all especially for Cherie from one Mothers heart to another, God Bless and Keep you. Also we know the verse I think Eric mentioned this morning Romans 8:28 I know how hard it is to see the good but when, like my pastor says continually when God says ALL THINGS He means ALL and ALL means ALL,even if Connor Watch has helped and blessed just 1 person which it has than it has already worked for good 8-)
Devotion
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
When We Doubt
Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.
— Acts 12:16
Some people say that when you pray, you must have faith, and if you have even a doubt, then your prayer won't be answered. But that is simply not true.
How much faith did Lazarus have when Jesus raised him from the dead? None. How about the people at the tomb who were weeping? Probably not much. How about the man who said, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24), and Jesus answered his prayer anyway?
We all will have times when our faith isn't as strong as it ought to be. But God can work, even when we don't have as much faith as we should. That does not excuse us from having faith. We still should pray with faith. And we should pray with persistence.
When Peter needed a miracle to get out of prison, God waited until the last moment to deliver him. And you really have to admire Peter. Not knowing what his fate would be, he still was sleeping so deeply that the angel had to wake him up. Psalm 127:2 tells us that God "gives His beloved sleep," and He certainly gave sleep to his beloved Peter.
So even though the early church prayed with passion and persistence, they still were shocked when God actually answered their prayers and saw Peter standing before them. Obviously they had prayed with some doubt. But even though their prayer was weak, it was mightier than Herod and mightier than the forces of hell.
That gives me great hope, because I am not always a man of great faith. There are times when I will pray for something and wonder if it would really happen. And it is encouraging to know that even when I am weak, God can still intervene and answer my prayer.
Have Pastor Greg's devotions blessed you? Write and tell him!
Greg@harvest.org
Our prayers continue to go with you -- even as we enter round 500 -- and thank you, too, for sharing the devotional from Greg Laurie. I needed each and every word that I have read today. Thanks.
Eric -
You left out a couple items from your Indy analogy...
The checkered flag awaits, but it's important to remember that this is not a race to be won — it's a race to finished. It is not a race of speed — it's a race of endurance.
The Crew Chief has put you and your family in this high performance vehicle for a reason. And you have proven over the last 500 days that you are built of the quality of character required to endure.
We don't know if this is the Indy 501 or the Indy 5000, but the Pit Boss will sustain you. He will make sure you have everything you need to endure.
And when the checkered flag finally does fall (and it will), the words over the loudspeaker will echo through the grandstands, "Well done, my good and faithful servant!"
In the meantime, keep turning left... and never forget the Racing Teams slogan... "Hold Fast!"
Wishing life was as simple as it was back when you and I would play demolition derby with our hotwheels on those narrow strips of orange track... Your Little Brother,
Kent
Praising God for the 500 days we have had to pray for the precious family and to lift them up before Him. 500 days of getting to know this little "red-headed" gentlemen. 500 days of seeing God work in and through the lives of all who frequent this website. 500 days of witnessing a family facing incredible feats yet still praising God through it. 500 days of answered prayer. 500 days of life.
What a blessing!
We love you and continue to pray for you all. We will keep on keeping on.
We'll run the race and keep the faith, until His face we see!
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