So many of you have posted comments, and Nancy and I read each and every one. Your notes truly are encouraging to us. Every now and then I run across one that just seems to really hit the nail on the head. It's one of those "Why didn't I think of that first?" moments. From time to time I'd like to share those with you. Here's one:
"As I was reading your update this afternoon you stated “When brain cells die due to an injury, other parts of the brain kick in and start learning how to do what the injured part is supposed to do.” It struck me that I believe that is how God intended to set us up too. Us….as the body of Christian believers, we are all in this together. Your immediate family has been injured so your extended family will learn to do what you can’t do right now. We will be stronger friends and prayer warriors. We will support your family while you “relearn, re-heal, and reset.” I pray that you, Nancy, Kara, Garren & Kelsy feel the strength of the rest of the “body” kicking in and that it gives you comfort, rest & peace! Sarah Prewitt"
1 Corinthians 12:24-26 confirms this reality:
"But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it,25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together."
Paul compares the human body to the family of Christian believers. He calls it the body of Christ. And as a body, all of our parts work together, so "that there may be no division...but that the members may have the same care for one another." It has truly been amazing to see God's family unify in our time of suffering. And this extends well beyond our local church family. I love Southbrook, but God is uniting people from other churches and schools in His name as well. It goes beyond man-made names and barriers. That's unity. That's the body of Christ.
At the same time, there are many things within our body over which we can rejoice. New babies have been born. Birthdays are being celebrated. There are so many things about which to rejoice. So while the members of the body care for those who are suffering, let's not minimize the things over which we can rejoice.
Thank you Sarah for your insight.
Thank you fellow believers in Jesus Christ for being the church.
10 comments:
Hello Geoffrey
My daughter Alexandra goes to Southbrook Christian Preschool. We are praying every day for Garren and your family. I have two kids. Gabriel was in the hospital for some days and it was one of the hardest things for me to experience. I am sure Garren is going to recover and know that my mom in Venezuela, she is a high school teacher at a Catholic School, they are also praying for Garren
Keep us posted
Monica Cordova
As someone who has an AVM in her brain which bled on Nov. 25, 2006, I can attest to the truth in what you shared. Mine ruptured in my right frontal lobe, leaving me in a coma for about 3 weeks and rehab for several months. During those first days, the Church surrounded my husband and supported him with prayer. From what he tells me, it was truly a thing of beauty. I have been completely restored. God is great, but He is also so very good! I deserved death on that cold November morning. I deserve it still. In His love and grace, I've been redeemed to give Him all the glory. I've been praying for Garren and will continue to do so.
Holly Davis
THAT deserves an AMEN!!! Continued prayers for Garren an the family!
Thank you Geoffrey for continuing to glorify God in the midst of your suffering! Miracles are happening all around us, and I am praising God for the one's seen and unseen happening through Garren and his life. I read a quote this week, "If your not receiving a miracle today, be one". I thought of your family and your faithfulness and believe you are "being" miracles to those around you. In our weakness, He is dynamite! We continue to be on our knees for Garren and your family......... love to you all!
Cindy Cianciosa
Amen Sarah and Geoffrey! We continue to lift your family in prayer and praise. May your family be given continued strengh, grace and courage as you fight this battle with and for Garren. Thank you Janes Family for continuing to point us to Him. To God be the glory!
In His love,
The Skinner's
Geoffrey and Nancy, when it is a good time for you I have a very special young man that would love to meet you. His name is Brian and in August of 2009 he fell 30 ft onto a concrete floor. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and a spinal cord injury among many other non life threatening injuries. He was actually at a youth group meeting for church at Cuthberson High School. He had two brain surgeries and back surgery and his story is much like yours. I picked him up from school yesterday for his physical therapy appointment and we talked about Garren, he had already heard your story and really wants to meet you both. I asked him to pray for your family and he said he already has been. Please let me know when you have just a few minutes to talk with us, he is so excited!! Michelle Welch 704-301-6863
Geoffrey....you and Sarah summed it up so well...that's exactly what the Lord smiles upon....UNITY!! One brother or sister helping another...we should all strive to be like this more often...everyday. Praying for you guys to have a productive day in rehab today.
Love to you all,
Ritchie, Donna, Racheal, Katherine, Luke, Madelyn& Brady
In my prayer time this morning I asked that God let me a light for someone today. Thank you marking that off the list for me so easily! I am thankful that I inspired a pathway of thought for you. You continued and expanded the thought much better than did! God has given you tough trail to go through but he is clearly using you to touch so many other lives with your blog.
In our staff worship time this week when we were giving our prayer concerns, Brad said that he wouldn’t write them down but would remember the general “themes.” We joked about starting a prayer request with my neighbor’s uncle’s son-in-law’s sister is……..so when I lifted Garren up in prayer I began with: my daughter’s best friend’s brother Garren….When Brad began his prayer, which was lengthy because we are a prayerful bunch, he did pray in general themes of everything we had mention except when it came to Garren. He prayed: for Sarah’s daughter’s best friend’s brother Garren! I hope my response today just makes you & Nancy smile!
Garren is in our hearts every moment of the day. He never leaves us. It's as though part of us is there watching and waiting with you for that next movement or sign of brain activity. We find ourselves including him naturally in every moment of prayer. Know that it hasn't changed from the first of these 22 days.
Isn't it so cool how God chooses to SHOW us what He means? Through scripture, through suffering, through tangible unity? Just like the body He has given each of us. We see something and its beauty draws us in. This unity and being a part of it is a beautiful thing and a gift. Thank you for sharing! Still praying.....visualize being there with you, Nancy & Garren and sending love your way.
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