This is Daniel's blog, of course, but I thought I'd weigh in today since his injury is fresh on my heart and in my mind. Tomorrow will be 16 years! Sixteen years! I can't believe it! It is interesting, that as I journal my way through the Psalms, two of my favorite Psalms "came up" yesterday and today...Psalm 40 and 41. I love those Psalms as they have such rich meaning, memories, treasures for me...so many thoughts...so many heart-wrenching prayers...so many painful yet beautiful memories.
Sixteen years ago tomorrow, early in the morning, we took our precious, intelligent, athletic, strong-willed yet gentle son to the hospital for what was to be "routine" hernia surgery. Hours later, we were given back a terribly brain-injured little boy who was left fighting for his life--complete with tubes, wires, IV's, and ventilator. How our lives were turned upside down...our precious son's life never to be the same again.
AND YET...God in His mercy--as He always does--reached down and touched us. Loved us. Held us. Carried us...in ways we could have never dreamed or imagined (Ephesians 3:20). He has lifted us out of the miry clay, given us a firm place to stand...and put a new song in our mouths--Praises to our loving, all-merciful God. Many have seen and feared and trusted in the Lord because of His marvelous works! (Psalm 40:1-3)
AND NOW...We praise the Lord. We praise Him for His marvelous works of love, mercy, and kindness. We praise Him for the new life He has given us. We praise Him for Daniel's love for life, for Daniel's humor, for Daniel's "Barnabas-like personality." For Daniel's Smile. (Oh, how I love that smile!) We praise Him for sparrows. We praise Him for blessings beyond measure. Who could have known, 16 years ago, that life could be so sweet, so treasured, so beautiful. Only God. God knew then...and all He asked us to do was to trust Him.
As difficult as that was then, I'm so thankful we did. I'm so thankful He lovingly loved me when I was so angry with Him. I'm so thankful for the dead sparrow in my path...a constant picture to me of God's loving--oh, so loving--care. I'm so thankful that He didn't give up on me. What a faithful, compassionate, tender Heavenly Father!
I leave you with passages from one of my favorite Psalms...
"I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit; out of the miry clay.
He set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth--Praises to our God.
Many will see it and fear and will trust in the LORD." (Ps. 40:1-3)
God is good--ALL THE TIME.
I weep as I read your words and praise the Lord that He knew you, He saw you, He rescued you, He carried you and the best part of all...you give the praise back to Him...the only one worthy of it! Amazing!
ReplyDeleteYour post reminds me of the song "Forever Reign"
You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin
You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life,
In You death has lost its sting
Oh, I’m running to Your arms,
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign
Love you guys and we sure do love our Danny Boy!
I love that song, Grace. They sing it at Jodie's church, and I weep every time they do! Thanks for your encouragement! We continue to pray for you...and the journey you find yourself on. God's timing is perfect! God's ways are best! God's thoughts are not our thoughts! And you are right, He is the only One worthy of our praise! What an amazing God we serve! Thanks! Love you bunches, my dear friend...
DeleteThis is such a testimony and a story.... And to see where you guys are at in life.... Gives me goosebumps. Even through a trial he's blessed you... He loves you as for i love your beautiful family thank you for shairing this
ReplyDeleteLove Brittany
Brittany--Thanks! Thanks for taking the time to post. I will love you forever, my sweet friend. I saw that you called the other day while I was on the phone with my mom (in the hospital again). Don't stop trying...one of these times I will be available! I promise! I want you to catch me up on your life...on the beautiful things the Lord is doing and working in your life. I love you!
DeleteI remember so clearly even today. I rejoice with you for the many joys you have had, yet I weep with you over the sadness and sorrow you've endured. Your testimony is such a blessing to so many and I am thankful for your honesty and grace. God bless you and your family!
ReplyDeletePaula, Is this you? I didn't know you had a blog. I'm so excited to connect with you at this level. I just perused your blog--love it! I am now a follower. Thanks for responding from the blog; I didn't know...
ReplyDeleteI remember you speaking about the journey you took after Daniel's accident. It moved me to tears and made me reflect on God's plan for my life. Thank you so much for sharing this here!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Sue. You are a gifted writer. Everything you say does not surprise me because I have always seen you as a woman who trusted the Lord. And Daniel, yes, I agree, he has help fill some rooms of His House awaiting us!
ReplyDeleteI vividly remember that day 16 years ago. Oh the fear I had for your family. As most know we have had our share of medical fears but God in all He does - has been there for us Never leaving. Holding tight to me & I to Him. Thank you for your post. Love you all so so much!
ReplyDeleteKate (Meyer) Snodgrass
I cannot believe that 16 years have gone by as I remember the day so very well myself. You hated what was happening, you were angry and sorrowed so greatly and yet you knew God was real and you directed all of your feelings all the time towards Him, always knowing in your heart of His great love for you and Daniel. The Lord chose your family to be "spectacle" to so many people - He put you in the arena - and even though it was fire so great - you clung to the Lord Jesus knowing that this world is not your home and that you have peace that your soul is safe and secure. You have an anchor for your soul that is so real that not even these things can separate you from the love of God. To believe when you "see nothing" is real faith and is a great victory. He promises to do above and beyond all that we could ask or think and the great miracle here is that you and Daniel still have faith - you still press on as a good soldier for Jesus Christ. The beauty of the Lord is upon Daniel and I love it when he speaks because anything that he would have to say now about the Lord Jesus holds so much credibility. I love you and your family with all my heart and I am so grateful for your friendship!! Hugs! *********** He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
ReplyDeleteHe sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again
I love you! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSue, even back in our college years, you always had a strong faith ~ From afar, I watched your family grow and then hearing about what happened to Daniel broke my heart. I'm so glad we re-connected after many years of quiet, and to see how Daniel has blessed so many people through his disability is a tribute to God's perfect love. We, too, have come to realize that trust and faith in God is the only answer to all the hurts that life throws at us. You are truly a beacon on a hill. I'll love you forever.
ReplyDeleteGloria
Thank you for sharing your lives. Your good comments on what God is doing touch our hearts, Sue. And Daniel, what can I say as you have truly fulfilled your wish to be "the son of consolation" to others. God is using you to get us all listen more carefully to Him. We assume so many false ideas about how life should be, but miss the essential goal of getting to know God so we can spend eternity in His service. Thank you for always being there when ever you can at the chapel sitting at Jesus' feet. Thank you for going to Emmaus when it wasn't easy. Thank you for your smile ! May God continue to strengthen your inner man. You are true athelete running the race that so many don't even see... but, God does. And that is all that counts.
ReplyDeleteyour brother in Christ, Paul Howland
THanks for sharing this...I can hardly believe its been 16 years. I remember seeing his bright face at camp the week or so before he went in for surgery and I remember praying for you all when we heard the news of what had happened. We certainly don't understand the ways of our God and why He allows things to happen...but this I know...that Daniel is a glowing testimony of the love of God, of His grace and His truth. What an amazing young man, Daniel, has become...and what a testimony you have been in the process too! Love and prayers to you today!
ReplyDeleteThe last time I wrote it was two days before my life long sweetheart died. Faith and I held hands as we prayed, I sang to her and read the Bible. She went to be with the Lord with a smile on her face that I will never forget. You were a big part in helping her finish well as she watched you at the chapel. She said that if you could make it to the Lord's Table, so could she. Thank you for helping her keep her eyes and mine on Jesus !
ReplyDeleteyour brother in Christ, Paul
Dear Paul...Your encouraging words touched and moved us to our very core...all of us. Jay and I wept as we read your post; Daniel got very emotional as I read it to him. We are truly amazed at our great God's plan. When life seemed over, when we questioned everything we believed, when we doubted His love, His care...He was working out His plan. And while we may never know or understand the magnitude of that awesome plan on this side of eternity, we trust that many will be in heaven because of God's magnificent work in our son's life--and in ours as well. As for the saints here...well, your note blessed us beyond anything we can adequately express. We are so thankful--so grateful--to our loving heavenly Father for using Daniel as He has chosen to use him. We so wish we could have had the chance to know Faith more; what a beautiful woman of God we saw in the few months she was with us. In spite of her intense pain, we too marveled that she made it to the chapel on so many occasions. And now as we watch you, you are teaching us how to grieve the loss of a dearly-loved spouse...to give God the glory in all things, even in death, in loneliness, in grief. When you share at the Lord's Table, I am often moved to tears because you speak with such depth, such wisdom, such conviction. And Heaven holds a very special place in your heart; that is evident. Thank you, Paul... Thank you for being a testimony of His mercy and grace--of His unfailing love. And thank you for taking the time to write to Daniel. What a blessing you are to each of us. We are so grateful for the opportunity the Lord has given us to get to know you.
ReplyDeleteIt was great to see and talk with you at this week's prayer meeting. "To me to live is Christ" was a great way to end the Bible study. May the Lord bless you as you live for Him today.
ReplyDeleteMaranatha ! Paul
Daniel, thank you for praying with me. It was a special priviledge for me to meet at the Throne of our Lord Jesus with you.
ReplyDeleteYour prayer partner, Paul
Daniel, you are in my prayers every morning. May the Lord bless you with His Precious Word every day !
ReplyDeleteYour prayer partner, Paul