Because He lives

They say in order for an article to be read, it needs to grab someone’s attention within the first two lines. Maybe the first sentence. So what’s this about and why do I want you to read it? It’s about receiving that phone call that no one wants to get, experiencing heartbreaking fear that you may suddenly lose someone you love, topped off with the fear of the unknown. And why do I want someone else to read this? Because maybe, just maybe, one day you will feel what I was feeling. There’s something about connecting with someone who understands. Sometimes that’s all you need.

A week ago, Friday, we got home from spending the week with family after meeting our new grandson. Needless to say, it was a joy-filled week. They live a few states away, but the drive is worth it. We were tired when we got home from being on the road (it’s like a 12 hour drive, total) so we didn’t even bother unpacking our bags before turning on the tv and relaxing a bit.

That’s when I received the call that our youngest son (who lives about 20 minutes away) was being rushed to the hospital. He had been in a scooter accident and we were told it was bad. It was about a 45 minute ride to the hospital, but it seemed longer than our ride home earlier that day. If we talked, I don’t recall any part of it. All I remember was that I talked to God all the way there.

The good news was he didn’t have a concussion and he didn’t hurt his neck or spine. To make a long story short, he had to have reconstructive surgery the following morning. Only two people could be there because of this crazy virus, so my husband went with my son’s fiance. I stayed home since I couldn’t even be in the waiting room. I prayed that God would take care of my boy.

The good news was, he got to go home Sunday. Let’s just say that his fiance is getting a lot of experience at being his helpmate in the worst of times. It did my heart good to see her care so deeply. The bad news came the day after surgery that my husband and I had been exposed to Covid. Any other day it wouldn’t have concerned me so much, but today? It was one. more. thing.

We began our quarantine, and later that day began feeling Covid symptoms. After learning that we tested positive, we were concerned that we had exposed our son and his soon to be family members. I guess the hardest part was that we didn’t see it coming and it was out of our control. It was like Satan pulled the rug from underneath us all.

Next up, our air went out. Of course no one could come in to fix the problem since we were honest enough to tell them we were sick. Did I mention it’s been in the 90’s? But seriously, that was the least of our worries.

It’s the unknown that kicks you in the gut. Will my son be ok? Will they get this virus on top of everything else? Part of our family that we had visited with now were ill and we couldn’t help them, either. How long will this last? Why is all of this happening? You can’t help but think – what’s next?

And then, God stepped in. He reminded me that life on earth can be hard. It can rip your heart apart, but He is still on the throne. He is still good. He is still with me. Don’t let your circumstances dictate your faith. Laugh if you will, but I believe He sent me a message during all of this. You can imagine how I felt touched by our Savior as I read the following devotion after I learned that I had Covid…

From Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.

“Entrust your loved ones to me: release them into My protective care. They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands. If you let a loved one become an idol in your heart, you endanger that one–as well as yourself. Joseph and his father, Jacob, suffered terribly because Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other sons and treated him with special favor. So Joseph’s brothers hated him and plotted against him. Ultimately, I used that situation for good, but both father and son had to endure years of suffering and separation from one another.

I detest idolatry, even in the form of parental love, so beware of making a beloved child your idol. When you release loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand….”

Dear friend, God is alive! He knows the message that we need. Keep searching. Keep believing in His Holy Name.

“How sweet to hold
A new born baby
And feel the pride
And the joy that he gives
But greater still that calm assurance
We can face uncertain days

And then one day
We’ll all cross that river
And fight life’s final war with pain
And then, as death gives way to victory
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know he reigns

Because he lives I can face tomorrow
Because he lives all fear is gone
Because I know, I know he holds the future
And life is worth the living just because he lives” ~ Because He Lives