One focus of my personal scripture study since Emmett was diagnosed has been the New Testament. Reading accounts of the many miracles and healings performed by the Savior has been especially comforting. I've created my own "red letter" edition by marking the passages that apply to our current situation. It will serve as a reference for years to come.
Lately I've been impressed with Luke 18.
In the beginning of the chapter the Lord shares the parable of the importuning widow (Luke 18:1-8). In this story a widow comes to a judge requesting that he avenge a wrong committed against her. Clearly she's been the subject of an injustice, however small, and she wants the judge to make it right. He declines her initial petition, but eventually gives in "lest by her continual coming she weary me". This is where the catchphrase "weary the Lord" comes from though the phrase itself never appears in the parable. The message is clear -- keep knocking on the door, keep pleading your case before heaven and see what God will do.
One thing that makes this chapter so beautiful to me is the account at the end that serves as a testament to this principle. As the Lord comes to Jericho, a blind beggar hears the multitude passing by. When he learns that Jesus is with them, he cries out for help. There were some in the multitude who rebuked the beggar telling him to hold his peace, but that only caused him to cry out even louder. When Jesus eventually hears his cry, he causes him to be brought forth. After a brief exchange, he heals him and commends him for his faith (Luke 18:35-43).
What would have happened if the blind man stopped pleading his case in the face of opposition, discouragement, and frustration?
How important it is for us to continue to plead Emmett's case before the Lord. However thick the darkness that surrounds us, no matter the length of time we've been searching, we must continue to plead for an illuminating ray to show us the way, especially at this critical crossroads.
We've had beams of light at decision points along the way. And we see God's hand continuing to work in our lives day-to-day. Let me share a recent example.
Out of the blue last Monday I got the sudden urge to print some sheet music and spend time practicing the piano. I played piano growing up and even taught beginner piano lessons to earn money for my church mission, but I haven't had the desire to touch a piano since. Katy was more than a little surprised to hear me playing scales and brushing up on Bach last week. She's never seen me touch the piano in the six years we've known each other -- in all honestly I haven't touched one in 15 years...until last week.
A few days later Emmett's friend Destiny got back in town. After becoming fast friends last fall, Destiny completed her treatment and went home to Alabama before the holidays. Though it was extremely sad to see her go, we were so happy that she was at the end of treatment. Unfortunately, she got sick again and had to return to Boston this month for a bone marrow transplant, one of the most difficult cancer treatments to go through. We spent time visiting Destiny, her brother Brandon, and her mom at the Ronald McDonald house last weekend.
During our visit Destiny shared her preparations for spending months in the hospital. She mentioned that one of the things she's always wanted to learn is how to play the piano. She brought an electric keyboard with her from Alabama and hoped to teach herself while isolated in the hospital. It instantly became clear to me why I had been inspired to start playing the piano earlier in the week. And I'm happy to report that I had the humbling opportunity of teaching Destiny her first piano lesson on Friday.
There are many things I don't understand about Father in Heaven and his purposes, but I do know that he works in our lives, in the big and the small. Whether it comes as a peaceful feeling, a burning in your bosom, or something as simple as a thought that comes to mind, I know that he can direct us, I know that he's mindful, and I know that he loves us.
And I know he will direct us in exactly what he wants for his precious Emmett who he loves so much (Luke 18:16).
7 comments:
That is beautiful. Thanks for sharing it. I believe that Heavenly Father wants us to plead with him, and to let Him carry our burdens.
Thanks Micah. We continue in prayer and fasting and faith for your family.
Oh my goodness, I absolutely loved this post!
You don't know me, but I served in the same mission as Katy, although Lithuanian speaking, so we only crossed paths once or twice.
Thank you for this post, which has reminded me to continually seek the guidance of our Father in Heaven, even when it seems to be too hard or that we've been doing it for "too long" without the results we're looking for. Thank you for the reminder to follow his promptings immediately, like you did with the piano playing recently, even when we don't know why.
When I first heard about Emmett's diagnosis (a year ago almost?) through a post on our mission's FB page, I felt a strong impression to immediately pray for him. I was at work and had read the update on my phone. I remember feeling that the prayer should not wait until I went home that night, so I took a moment to pray. During that prayer, I was overcome by the intensity of emotion that swelled within me. I continued to pray daily for him for a long time after that and kept checking the blog for an update of a miracle. As I read more, I quickly realized this was going to be a long journey for Emmett and your family. A journey in which you would need constant and continual guidance and direction.
I've been having a rough time recently and I seem to have forgotten these things you have mentioned... I get complacent and want a "quick fix"... I want my happy "ending." So thank you for reminding me to continue to ask for direction. To plead for it. Heavenly Father does not give up on us and we must not give up on Him and His ability to heal, teach, and comfort us.
Our journeys may be long, but I do believe when we look back, with the help of the Lord, we will be able to understand and see how His hand guided us every single day. We're blessed when we can see it along the way, before we look back. You know, when we can immediately see the reason we were prompted to start playing the piano after 15 years.
I'm a firm believer that the hardest things we do in life are ultimately the most rewarding if we "do" them with the Lord.
Much love to your family! I'm still praying.
Thanks for sharing everyone. And thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences, eclaires -- your message was so touching. Thank you.
You wouldn't think there's much good that can come from the situation we're in with Emmett...so much sadness, longing, pain, etc. But somehow this experience has brought about a lot of good. We're the recipients of so much Christlike service from people of all faiths and backgrounds. We see the very best in life along with the very worst. And we share what we experience in hopes that it can lift others. So glad to hear when it does.
Thank you for your prayers!
This message has helped me a lot as I have thought about it over the last couple of days. Thank you.
I cannot tell you how grateful I am for checking your blog today. I haven't done so in a few weeks, so I was catching up. I have been struggling with several things in my life for years and am at the point where I don't want to pray for certain things any more because it's gotten me nowhere thus far. What's the point? Obviously the things that I so desperately want are not going to happen for me. I was having an especially hard and emotional day, worse than I have had in a long time. I've felt forgotten lately and alone and insignificant; Heavenly Father is just too busy and doesn't have time for me. I've felt like he answers other people's prayers, but not mine and have felt resentment because of it. I even had the thought today that God does not answer all prayers, especially my most fervent ones. I feel tired and worn out from praying for certain things, some I've been doing so for over a decade and still have received no kind of answer, and had resolved really to stop. But then I came across this entry today and it brought me to tears. I was actually sobbing, to be perfectly honest. Maybe I'm not supposed to stop praying for the things that I want. Maybe I need to exercise my faith more and endure until I receive an answer, whatever the answer may be. I feel like I was supposed to see this entry today, at one of my darkest moments, as a sort of light at the end of the tunnel. I feel encouraged to not give up, to keep trucking on, and hopefully someday I will receive the answers that I so desire. Thank you. Your sweet family is constantly in our thoughts and prayers. We miss seeing your beautiful faces. May the Lord bless you through these awful times and sustain you and give you peace.
Rachel Parrish
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