“He’s not breathing!!!”
4am. These were the words I woke up to when my sister frantically called my dad to let us know they were taking my 1 year old nephew to the ER.
In that moment, my entire world paused: The email I was overthinking that had to get sent at work later that day, how I would spend my afternoon- everything that I was worrying about and planning for no longer held any weight.
All that mattered was my nephew. Thankfully, he is recovering well. Now that I’ve had time to reflect, I see God’s fingerprints in that situation. He used it to remind me of:
1) The brevity of life: Life changes from breathe to breathe and no day is promised. It’s humbling to be reminded that only God knows, because only God is sovereign.
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1
2) Find the Miracles in [sm]ALL Things: You know, the typical days you wake up and everything just- is. No fireworks, no sparkle, and no inconveniences (flat tire, toothache, upset tummy, etc) Those days are miracles in themselves and blessings from God. Also, in this case the fact that there were medical technology/treatments available, a wise doctor/medical staff, etc. are all gifts from God!
3) Power of Prayer: Sometimes, you gotta go to war and be strong for the family when they are going through it. That day, I prayed continuously for my family and felt a deeply rooted sense of peace and strength that comes from drawing near to God. By opening His word, He illuminated verses of comfort and hope that I clung onto as we navigated through the darkness.
The next time something happens in your life that tests your faith, shakes you awake to the brevity of life, and the sovereignty of God- be reminded:
Things might not be ok, but you will be ok because He is near, delighting in every detail of your life, working all things out for good, shielding you from harm (Psalm 37:23) (Romans 8:28) (Psalm 121)
Like train tracks, seasons of joy and grief are not mutually exclusive- they run in parallels. So take it all – the dreams, the questions, the joy, the fear, the happiness, the hurting- and cast it all to God- He’s got you, and you’re going to be just fine.
“Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things.”
-Kay Warren
From my heart to yours,
Grace
