Tragedy, Miracles and Mercy

The month of April is one our family will not soon forget. It has been one of those times when we have felt like we have all been put into a giant blender and swirled around at warp speed.

The very early morning of April 6th started with a phone call that shook us to our core. Our nephew, Stephen (he is my husband, Stephen's oldest sister's son - we have several Stephen's in our family)had been in a horrible car accident, had a crushed skull and was on a ventilator. All information at that time was very sketchy and limited - we were terrified. The next several moments are all still a blur as we jumped into our clothes, made phone calls and prayed for Stephen to have strength to hold on.

As we arrived at the hospital we learned that the driver of the car Stephen was in died on the scene. She and Stephen had been friends for 10 years and she was just 30 minutes shy of her 20th birthday. There were two other passengers in the car as well, one was very blessed to walk away with only bruises and scrapes, the other is still clinging to life with not much hope of survival.

Stephen was in the hospital for 8 days. While he was there, he had two surgeries and improved day by day which amazed and delighted us all. He is home now and still improving - he has a long way to go with still another surgery in the near future and lots of emotional healing that the Lord will need to carry him through, but he is a miracle of God that cannot be denied. The timing and plans of the Lord are truly something in which to marvel. We were told that if the driver had turned a little bit more to one side, Stephen probably would not have survived. God is so very good, we praise Him for the mercy He has shown to Stephen, his mom and dad, Steve and Terrie - and to our whole family for allowing him to have a chance to live and allowing all of us to witness this miracle.

With our heads still spinning from Stephen's accident, we received another early morning phone call that brought us to our knees. My Uncle Billy was in his final hours and we needed to come and see him for the last time. This was such a tough day for us all, he had requested not to be at home when his time came so he was moved that day to a hospice facility - we were told he would probably not make it there.

Again, the timing of God is so perfect and such a mystery at the same time. He did make it that day and held on for another exhausting and painful two weeks. But, God in His mercy decided Easter morning would be the best time to call Uncle Billy home. Having Easter brunch with the Risen King, I can hardly imagine the joy! We are rejoicing that he is being held in the Arms of Jesus, never to suffer again, but, still our hearts are heavy with sorrow - we will miss him so much.

As I look back over the past month, my heart is full of so many things - shock, sorrow, relief, joy, grief and hope. My heart bleeds for Stephen's young friend who lost her life in the accident - such a tragedy. My heart is overjoyed to see our nephew walking around again and talking about plans for the future - a miracle that we will not soon forget. My heart also aches over the loss of Uncle Billy and the unbelievable sorrow my Aunt Marie and my cousins, Gina and Leanne are experiencing - I can only imagine.

But amidst all of the hurt, there is also hope. A hope that can only come from the Lord and having unshakable faith in Him. He is a God of mercy and He has shown that to our family in so many ways over the past month - again, something we will not soon forget. Thank You, my precious Jesus for being my Rock and constant Source of Strength - I will forever praise and glorify Your Name, especially in the tragedies, miracles and mercies of this life.

Rejoicing in Hope,
Roxanne

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though the waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." Psalm 46:1-2,7

Times Like These

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to spend some time with my family. It was a heartbreaking experience that I would give anything to change. My Uncle Billy, he is my daddy's brother, has been in the fight of his life for some time now. He is battling oral cancer. He is now under hospice care and declining very quickly.

As I have mentioned before, I come from a very close-knit Italian family and there is just no other way to say it, we are broken -hearted. He has been fighting long and hard and to be quite honest, we are a little shocked. As of just a couple of months ago we really thought there was hope and the doctor's had even been optimistic. It amazes me how fast things change.

It has not even been a year since Maw-Maw passed away and here we are again. My heart just bleeds for my Aunt Marie and my cousins, Gina and Leanne. I cannot imagine the hurt they are going through.

Over the past week I have thought a lot about how life just seems to chew you up and spit you out sometimes - that is how my family is feeling at this moment. Life is hard. I have asked the Lord many times this week to help me to understand. Of course, I know that some things are just too big for our little minds to grasp - this is definitely one of those things.

I have been missing Maw-Maw more and more through all of this - I know hurt just magnifies grief and that is what I am feeling right now. As I am writing this, hot tears are streaming down my face onto the keyboard - tears over the loss i feel for Maw-Maw and the hurt my precious family is enduring over Uncle Billy.

However, although my heart is breaking for my family, I choose to trust my God. I know He has a plan and purpose for all things - even those that hurt the most. I will praise Him and exalt His Name and remember He is holding my family in the palm of His Hand and I know if we let Him, He will work mightily through the hurt we are all feeling.

Life is so very hard but God is always so very good. Trusting Him all the more, in times like these.

Rejoicing in Hope,
Roxanne

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18