3.24.2008

Waves of Grace

Last week, I was ready for Resurrection Sunday! All week I was thinking about Christ and what He was doing on what day. Palm Sunday He was entering Jerusalem. Later that week, possibly Monday, He was cleansing the temple of the money changers. Thursday night was the Last Supper and His arrest. All through the night on Friday He was on trial, being mocked, beaten, and prepared for The Cross. Around 9am on Friday, He was crucified. I remember thinking at lunch on Friday that Christ was still on The Cross. Then as school let out at 3pm, He would have cried "It is finished."

As I awoke on Saturday my thoughts were still on Christ -- He is still in the tomb, but not for long! About two and a half hours later I learned that Grant Weinberg's heart had stopped beating and he was on his way to the hospital. I was shocked. These are the kinds of things you read about. They don't happen close to home. However, The Lord has plans I know nothing about! Saturday was mostly discouraging has our church family huddled in one wing of the fourth floor, praying for the Weinbergs and providing any comfort we could. I still was thinking, "Christ is in the tomb."

Sunday came! As I awoke I began thinking about Christ and His Resurrection. I thought of Grant and the Weinbergs, praying for The Lord to intervene. It was rainy and overcast, not an ideal day to celebrate The Resurrection.

The first service brought no new reports on Grant's condition. However, at the beginning of second service, our youth pastor relayed some great news -- Grant was responding to instructions! As many people prayed for the family, love poured out from hearts through words and tears. My wife later relived through teary eyes the joyous announcement from Chuck, "Grant is moving," or something close.

Our afternoon was spend with family, savoring the tantalizing feast my wife's parents had prepared. After some of the best potato casserole mankind has ever known, I read about how Grant's breathing tube had been removed! What an answer to prayer!

Upon arriving at church, I was blessed to be able to witness two baptisms. What an awesome testimony to God's work and His glory! He changes lives uniquely. No one can duplicate His works! After some singing, Pastor Zimmer shared the latest on Grant! He was living on his own -- no machines! He was awake and responsive! He was pretty stinking tired, but doing far better than any expectations! What a weekend!

I have had the opportunity to read through all of Chuck's posts. Only one sentence fits:
God is Amazing!
We could spending the rest of eternity describing that sentence. Grant was dead. You only do CPR on dead people. On the day Christ was in the tomb, Grant died. Praise God for giving Grant more life!

Saturday morning was bad, especially for the Weinbergs. I was personally humbled. Our only hope was God. No one in our church family could do anything to help. God along could heal or simply work through the doctors as He saw fit.

Since then every report has been encouraging! On Saturday Grant was stabilized -- God's Grace. On Sunday he was responding -- God's Grace. The tube came out -- God's Grace. He is able to converse -- God's Grace! He is able to lift his appendages -- God's Grace! He cannot not remember what day it is -- God's Grace (he doesn't want to know how much school work he will have to make up!) My heart is filled to joyous overflowing -- God's Grace. I have again been reminded of the value of life -- God's Grace. I have seen firsthand how God answers the prayers of His people -- God's Grace. I have seen the very hand of God at work in people's lives -- God's Grace. My love for my wife and kids has multiplied -- God's Grace.

The list is endless, but I will stop there. The list is simply from my small perspective and describes nothing of what God is doing in the lives of the Weinbergs! I am sure their joy is exponentially greater than mine!

God takes one supposed tragedy and creates a fountain of joy, bringing glory to Himself for His mighty hand! The road ahead is a difficult one for Grant and the Weinbergs, but the endless joy of the Lord will see them through!





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