God is so good.
We are so thankful for one very small step today. Seeing eyes open is pretty awesome - but Garren still has a long way to go. We still don't know, and won't know for quite some time, how Garren will continue to recover. We will continue to wait.
I was so glad that I got the chance to speak to everyone at Southbrook Monroe campus this morning. I snuck in after worship had started, and between songs I had the opportunity to address the faithful prayer warriors on the front lines.
As I think back over the last week, there are several thoughts that come to me. The first is how Scripture just reached out and grabbed ahold of my heart that first day. God gave me some very specific verses, and those carried me through the initial heartbreak of our devastating circumstance. Exodus 14:14 is one of those: “The Lord will fight for you; you have only to be quiet.” Of course, the context of the original writing of that verse was different, but the truth remains the same.
I cannot fix Garren. Neither can you. The surgeons can’t really do anything either. All they can do is prevent further damage, which they have skillfully done. The nurses care for Garren, keeping him comfortable and keeping his body healthy. Nancy, Kara, Kelsey and I sit with him, talk to him, read Scripture to him, and pray with him. Garren just needs time to heal. The only one who can heal Garren is God. God is the Creator of all. “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psa. 139:13-14.
So we wait. Waiting for the Lord to fight this battle for us. But there is one thing I think we need to understand. When the Israelites were facing the Egyptians at the edge of the Red Sea, they were scared to death. They thought they had reached the end of their journey, that they would be destroyed. They looked to Moses who had led them to this unfortunate circumstance. And as they listened to Moses declare to them, “The Lord will fight for you, you have only to be silent” I don’t think for a minute that they let their guard down. They didn’t just take a seat and watch to see what would happen next. No! You have to keep reading. Verse 15 goes on: “The LORD said to Moses ‘Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground.’”
Yes, the Lord will fight for you. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have anything to do. We must participate and cooperate with God. Could He do it without us? Absolutely! But He chooses to use us.
In Garren’s case, yes, the Lord will fight for Garren. When Moses stretched out his staff over the sea, I’m sure the Israelites had their eyes glued to Moses, waiting for the next command. When the waters divided, they took off, making their way through the corridor of water to safety on the other side. Garren can only be healed by God. I can’t fix him. The doctors can only encourage his body to heal. The Lord will fight for Garren. But the rest of us, we must pray. We must call out to God. We must fight the battle that is not flesh and blood, but of unseen powers.
Thank you for fighting with us.
5 comments:
James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
I cannot imagine what you are going through, yet you keep such a great attitude. You have truly inspired me. You and your family are wonderful examples with your never ending trust in the Lord. Continue to praise the Lord in these hard times, Garren will continue to be in my prayers.
Stay strong!
Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
As. We shared with you before Joshua 1:9 was one of those verses for us. "Be strong and courageous, do not tremble or be dismayed for the Lord is with you wherever you go." This journey is a war of sorts and is fought one battle @ a time. Moment by moment you will get through because God who already knows the way goes before you all. We don't have to know all the answers and neither do the health care providers we will keep our eyes on the One who does. Garren and you all are being carried to the feet of. Jesus in our prayers. We love you all.
It's off to quiet time, but I just had to check for an update, so thank you for the awesome post. Tonight when I was putting my kids (3 yrs. olds) to bed, my daughter asked, "Mama, who did this to Garren, who hurt his head?" I tried to explain, as simple and as honest as I could...she hurt her head last summer, so she reflected back to that and said, "I'll take him a star bandaid and a grape popsicle and he'll feel better."
My point is, because you continue to inspire us and encourage us with powerful wisdom, we are even more motivated to fight with you, and for Garren. Our kids, though young and simplistic, feel that motivation too, and it's awesome to see all ages join in this fight! They ask about Garren and pray for him on their own all throughout the day.
I remember an old saying, something to the effect of "you won't win the war unless you choose your battles wisely." I can't think of anything more true at this moment...I can't help but think that all of these prayer warriors, young and old, have chosen an awesome battle to fight...on your team, on Garren's team, and firt and foremost, as part of God's team. I pray for a peaceful night and more positive steps with a new sunrise tomorrow!
In for the long haul, In His love, The Sisk Family
Romans 5: 4 - 5 "And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. (5) And this hope will not lead us to disappointment. For we know how clearly God loves us,..."
In our prayer tonight Olivia gave thanks to God for Garren's progress. She specifically prayed for all of the Janes' family. How rewarding it is to listen to our children pray for other children.
Garren's story continues to bring the "Good News" of Christ to so many. It continues to strengthen the relationships of those who have accepted him. It has lead large numbers of people to pray together with ferocious intent. It has fortified the relationships that exist in our life groups and in our Church.
Pastor, know that Garren consumes the thoughts and actions of so many throughout our waking hours and even in our dreams. We will endure this challenge with you, and in the end we will not be disappointed, for we know how clearly God loves us.
As I pray this morning, this Chris Tomlin's song keeps running through my brain-
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary
You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles
Praying this morning for strength for Garren to respond to the pinches!
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