Prayer Request for Gavin

In each mysterious tragedy we turn from or to the only real source of comfort and strength. We are given many examples in scripture of how the faithless and faithful did just as we do. It seems to us that life should be a bit kinder, fairer perhaps, to the youngest and the innocent. When we are of full age and ability to resist and fight back and stand as a warrior in the battle, then it is that we believe it to be understandable for the assault to come. But Lord not the children. Not my little son. In my book Ripples , I relate the devastating tragedy we were faced with when our youngest son was four weeks old; Four weeks! Who prepares you for this? I imagine in my heart the anguish of my daughter’s friend who this week is having a serious brain procedure performed on her young infant. I can somewhat empathize because of the paths we have walked with our own and yet, I have not been where she is at.
  Still each event, each anomaly in our “plan for a beautiful life” is no surprise to the God who created all without sin. These events are ultimately the result of sin entering the world and destroying the perfection God created. So who do we blame? Some blame the Lord for not preventing the sin in the first place. Some blame the serpent, some Adam and some Eve. But where does blame get us? It’s like going to court after a serious auto accident and having the judge tell you that the one you charged is found guilty and must pay the price for his misdeeds. Yet even though you have someone to blame it does not repair the injuries or remove the traumatic memories. Blame simply gives you someone to be angry with because life is unfair. Maybe that’s why we like to blame God. He is big enough to handle the blame and still love us.
  When you are done with the blame game there is another view worth exploring. In Genesis 50:20 Joseph says to his brothers about their wicked deed, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive”. Yes it was tragic, yes it was more than a young boy should have to endure and yes God had a purpose far beyond what anyone could have imagined. God neither ordained not encouraged the evil, but He made a way through it to be glorified. Not in hindsight as if He could not prevent it from happening, but with foresight and knowledge of what it was going to cost beforehand. Remember also the widow woman whose son died and was returned to life so that she might know the prophet was a man of God. It was not an afterthought for God to send Jesus to die for our sins.
  Al is a man who greatly influenced my life for Christ and became a good friend to me. Neither is it a surprise to God that his grandson Gavin should be afflicted with mitochondrial disease at such a young age. We have prayed for the miraculous as many friends, parents and grandparents have. We seek to be obedient to not circumvent the glory God intends to bring upon Himself. We do not desire to find one to blame, we simply want to be in the truth that God is performing. Gavin’s mom and dad simply desire a complete restoration of their son’s health. In one of the dramatic movies released in recent years there is an argument scene in which the truth is being demanded and the response given is “You can’t handle the truth”.
  Maybe we are weak, physically and spiritually. Maybe we struggle to comprehend innocent children being devastated with rare and mysterious diseases with little hope for medical resolution. Maybe we don’t have it all figured out. But we can handle the truth. In the gospels Jesus is asked “who did sin that this man should be born blind?” Jesus’ answer is our answer today. It is the truth that no one can take away. It is the deliverer of the peace that passes all understanding. Jesus said no one sinned to cause this affliction, but rather it was allowed that His Father in Heaven might be glorified. Job proclaimed “shall I not accept harshness at the hand of Jehovah as well as good”? No it is not easy. No it doesn’t make since. No I just don’t “get it” yet. But I pray for Gavin’s healing, God’s glory, our obedience and His victory. Right now I also pray that you will join me in prayer every day for Gavin.

SMHG John