For five days, our son-in-law Jordan could not concentrate, process, or think clearly. Two times, once by ambulance, he was taken to the UAB emergency room. He spent three days in the hospital. Blood tests, a CT scan, two MRI’s, a spinal tap, and examinations by numerous doctors produced no hint of the source of the problem. Of course, Kinsey was at his bedside wondering whether life would ever be the same.
All of us were praying, but I could only share the truth that God was with both of them. On the fifth day, there seemed to be improvement and on the sixth day, the confusion finally subsided. Unfortunately, the spinal tap caused another several days of intense headaches that didn’t clear up until Thanksgiving. It is amazing how thankful we become after something lost is restored.
Jordan has completed four years of medical school and is in his fourth and final year of residency as an ophthalmologist. Having been named ‘chief resident,’ Jordan was looking forward to giving the speech to welcome thirty-five candidates for residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He missed his speech and all the festivities because he was in the hospital. But now Jordan and Kinsey are simply praising God.
Our brilliant Father is able to use difficulties, trials, and even loss for the good of His children. I would not presume to say to my daughter and her husband: “This is what you should learn…” But Kinsey and Jordan claim God is teaching them… and they gave me permission to share a bit. They keep using phrases like “new perspective,” “new priorities,” “re-dedication to what is important,” and “never be the same.” God alone knows our hearts, thoughts, and needs. And He loves us enough to teach us and discipline us and mold us and bless us. As parents here on earth, we do the best we can, but God’s brilliance goes beyond explanation.
Jesus and the Holy Spirit say: “Trust Him.”
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11
“My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child He loves that He disciplines; the child He embraces, He also corrects. God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.” Hebrews 12:5-11 (The Message)
“God, brilliant Lord, Your name echoes around the world.” Psalm 8:9 (The Message)