When It Hurts

It’s so hard to watch someone you love in a helpless situation. Eric, my son-in-law, who is like a son to me, had a sudden, horrific health attack this week that required not one, but two surgeries. I’ve known Eric since he was a teen. When I say he’s like one of my own children, I am not mincing words. Throughout the years, I have babied him, as well as scolded him, just as I do with my own flesh and blood. Eric has been my side kick with all my building projects. He has traipsed behind me, following my instructions from building churches to renovating houses, to building me my heart’s desire in furniture pieces. You see, Eric’s an excellent carpenter, honing his skill close to perfection. A few months ago, when I saw him, I made him hug me and since he is not a big hugger, it embarrassed him, like it always does.

A few weeks before I saw him, I received news that he, along with many in my family, contracted COVID-19. During that time, he complained of excruciating chest pains; however, he tested negative to coronavirus. After a few days, it seemed he got a little bit better, at least enough to return to work. Then a few weeks later, he was hit again with severe chest pains. This time he went to the hospital. It was determined that his lung had collapsed 60 percent, and he was going into cardiac arrest. The really bad news was that the staff of the little rural hospital told him they could not perform the surgery he needed and that they had put him on waiting list for a room to open up in one of the hospitals equipped to operate on him. They extended their search into three cities. Because of COVID, there were no rooms available. He sat in that little hospital in pain with tubes running out of him for five days.

When it became clear to me that he was not going to be moved, I did what I could in the NATURAL. I started making phone calls to everyone I could think of who might could help him, including a person that had influence. I told him that Eric was like a son to me and asked if he would please help get him moved to a certain hospital which I named. He asked me why that hospital, and I told him because it was the best. I wanted only the best for Eric. That afternoon he was moved to that hospital and the next morning one of the best lung surgeons in the region performed surgery on him. In fact, barely into post-operative recovery, another problem was found and he was rushed back into a second surgery.

My daughter and their two sons were highly emotional during this ordeal. My eldest grandson, Jordan, stepped up to the plate, helping his mother and handling Eric’s business. Since Scott and I were out of town, we could only comfort them over the phone. The very best we could do, though, was to pray. Did you hear what I just said? The BEST we could do was to PRAY! Yes, after doing all I could do in the NATURAL, I left the SUPERNATURAL up to God. Sometimes we forget what the Bible says about prayer. This is the best thing we can do for anyone.

I’m reminded, in particular, of what James wrote about prayer:

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (Jam. 5:16, KJV).

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The Amplified Bible says James 5:16 this way:

The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].

WOW! The power of prayer cannot be understated; take note of what it does:

1. It can accomplish much.

2. It is dynamic.

3. It has tremendous power.

It is a miracle that Eric is out of danger now. And we give God the glory for it. I may have made a phone call, but God opened the doors that Eric needed to have opened. It will be a long haul for Eric to full recovery, and his lifestyle will need to change drastically. Eric will need to do all that he can in the natural too. For myself, I have discovered once again just how precious life is and just how very much that I love my family. More importantly, I have remembered how God has blessed us, His children, with the invitation to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

I would ask you a question now. Are you concerned about someone whom you love, and it hurts you to see them suffering? I would suggest that you PRAY, PRAY and PRAY. I told someone recently that their responsibility was to do everything they know to do in the natural and leave the supernatural up to God. After that, they will always have the satisfaction of knowing they did everything they could.

I speak peace to you right now. And, again, I say, “Do what you can in the NATURAL and leave the SUPERNATURAL up to God.”