Comfort

I have pondered all day how to do this story justice.

Last night I received an e-mail in response to my post below. It was from a woman I have never met who reads the blog. She shared her story of her son's childhood limitations. As she described them in detail, they were all remarkably similar to the ones my child has despite the fact I declined to include any specifics in my post.

She went on to describe the fears, sadness and faith that she and her husband had shared after the predictions that had been made about their son. She concluded by telling me about him now, 16 years later and how he has overcome the very challenges he (and my child) were predicted to have. (She even included pictures. :-) It was an unbelievable God instance. I could not believe this woman with this story chose to share it as an act of comfort and faith-building for me, without any idea that it was the exact same scenario we were facing.

As I tearfully read her e-mail I found myself more overwhelmed by the goodness of God than anything else. I can honestly say I am not clinging to the fact that God will change things for my child (although we would rejoice and give Him all the glory if it were to happen!) As I said before, it is not a huge issue in the grand scheme of things. The far greater lesson from all this was God's care and concern for my heart. God is faithful to attend to His Sheep. He loves us and is attune to the concerns of our heart. Even the 'little' fears. It is really hard to comprehend. This is the God of the Universe we are talking about!

But the blessing did not stop there. As I e-mailed the woman back to share how incredible it all was, she responded with the following,

"Now it is our turn to be grateful. My husband and I marveled at your email and the details of (your child)'s diagnosis - how similar it all is to (our son)'s. The amazing thing is that while we have shared the miracle of (our son)'s restored health with people before, we have always done so in generalities. I don't remember ever sharing with anyone else all those specifics in as much detail as I did with you; what I see in this is God's hand of prompting! Isn't it just amazing how God whispered in my ear to speak and gave me the exact words that would comfort you about the limitless future - and the testimony - He has planned in advance for your sweet one?!!

And another blessing from your email: my husband said he must have re-read the description of (our son) a dozen times this morning because it had been a while since he had thought of that time in our lives and how he was in tears himself remembering how far God has finally brought us all."

She concluded by telling me that her husband has written my child's name in his Bible to pray specifically for him/her. I cannot wait to share that testimony with my child one day when it is appropriate.

We all have a story to tell. There are people who need to hear it. By investigating how God has worked in the lives of others, we are able to get glimpses into His character and his constant, loving pursuit of us.

"All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (The Message)

The body of Christ is a truly beautiful, amazing thing!