Looking for the Hope Beyond
By Sheila Martinez

“Please pray for my grandson”. The request came from a dear friend. “They think some of his bones are not aligning as they should. They are planning to do a CAT scan, and then decide what to do.” The worry was palpable in the air. As I begin to embrace the situation with my heart and mind, I knew the frantic beat of her heart and the deep unknown, uncharted waters that were churning before her eyes.


I, too, have stood in that place. My son was a premature infant, who now, at 22 years old stands straight and tall, and more than able. But at his birth, the doctors could only point out the grim possibilities that lurked in the future. The list was long. Vision problems, due to the need for oxygen at birth, breathing problems, numerous learning problems, developmental delays, motor skill deficiencies, speech problems -- on and on went the list.


On one particular day, while pacing the hospital corridor during yet another evaluation for my son, the weight of the words that had been spoken over and over began to build to crushing proportions. As the crushing force seemed to be trying to wring every shred of hope out of my heart, I cried out in desperation to God, “Lord, I need your help. The doctors are saying so many things that are bad. I need to know what you say. God, what do you say about this little boy that you gave to us?”


As tears were flowing down my face, I knew I had to get a hold of myself. I had a baby that needed me. As I turned to walk back down the hall toward the room where my little boy was being required to endure things I have never even considered, I heard a soft voice say to me, “I know the plans I have for you - for good and not for evil - to give you a future and a hope. No weapon formed against you can prosper, and every word spoken against this circumstance will fall under your feet.”


How can I explain the peace that followed? I knew that I had received an answer to my cry. How did it happen? I'm not totally sure, but I do know this – If God is our Father then He understands the heart of the parent. He is concerned for what concerns us. And He does intervene in our lives when we ask Him to.


Yes, my son walked through many days of therapy and intervention to receive the promise that was given that day. We watched all of the words and predictions drop, one by one, in the dirt, never to live in his life.


If you are looking out over stormy, turbulent waters that seem to predict destruction, do not get overly involved with the "what if's". The Lord not only brought us through the whole process, but he cancelled out many of the perceived obstacles. The things that remained only caused the changes needed to bring a better life to my son.


Remember God is out for our good, and He desires to give us His very best. Often, we don't see how this could be when things are so wrong. But there are so many layers and dimensions within each of us that God is working with that the surface is often the last part to fall in place. Be confident that God is who He says he is and will bring about the expected end.


As I walk beside my friend through this unknown land, we will continue to wait on what the doctors have to say, and then, we will listen for what God has to say – always expecting to see His hand showing up in the land of the living, even as the Psalmist David proclaimed. (Ps. 116, KJV)


Are you expecting to see things turn toward health? Are you looking unto the One who can really make a difference? I would say, Call out! Listen for the reply! He is more than willing to extend His hand to help those who will invite Him to be involved in their life.


He truly is more than able to heal and restore.


Lord,
We ask for all those who are in need of your touch today to be lifted into your hands - for your gentle care.  We know you love them more than we can even fathom. Please allow all of us that find ourselves involved within heart-wrenching circumstances to see with the eyes of Jesus and to trust the problems to your timing and plans. For truly You are using every pressure that is upon mankind to shape a fuller, truer vision of who You really are.

Thank you for your loving kindness, Lord.

Amen.


If you would like to comment on this article, please send an email to:sheila@vine3.org