Today was the first time that Rylee opened her eyes and began looking around. When I spoke to her she responded by looking up at me as if she knew me. This was a wonderful moment, but also a very difficult one. I knew Rylee was hurting and I saw her struggling to breathe. I would do anything to take her place, but I couldn't.
Then I had this thought: there are many people in life that don't believe in God or see God as an impersonal force in the universe. There are also people that believe in God but they don't believe he is loving. If you fit into one of these categories, consider this: humans are flawed, imperfect creatures, capable of awful crimes. Some have said we are the only species that destroy our own. Yet, even with such a terrible record, a stunning characteristic remains. This characteristic can be described like this: today, I wanted to take my suffering child's place.
Some may try to postulate a naturalistic explanation, but there is none. Why would a fully grown man with a wonderful wife, great job, good friends, nice house, who is very happy, stable and doing good things in the world ever want to give up his life for a helpless baby that has accomplished absolutely nothing in life? It's absurd! Yet, there I stood ready to take her place. It defies human logic and naturalistic explanation. However, it bears every evidence of a divine touch.
There was a time when God looked down upon the terrible condition of the human race. He looked down and was grieved at what we had become. But was God unable to act? No! He did exactly what I wanted to do for my little girl but couldn't. Why is it so hard to imagine that an infinite God could take on human flesh and bear the sins of the entire world? It wasn't hard for me to imagine taking my little girl's place there in the bed. If we had the technology I would have done it. You see, within our very being there lies the mark of this divine truth: that God himself took our place; he suffered so we could be free.
If I could take my baby girl's place of suffering, I would. Why, then, is it so hard for us to believe that God would not do the same for us? Am I capable of loving more than God?
What an incredible evidence of the reality of God and his sacrificial love. Maybe this helpless little baby has accomplished something remarkable after all.
Lyrics to Hold My Heart :
ReplyDeleteHow long must I pray, must I pray to You?
How long must I wait, must I wait for You?
How long 'til I see Your face, see You shining through?
I'm on my knees, begging You to notice me.
I'm on my knees, Father will You turn to me?
One tear in the driving rain,
One voice in a sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart?
One life, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Would You come close and hold my heart
I've been so afraid, afraid to close my eyes
So much can slip away before I say goodbye.
But if there's no other way, I'm done asking why.
I'm on my knees, begging You to turn to me
I'm on my knees, Father will You run to me?
One tear in the driving rain,
One voice in a sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart?
One life, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Would You come close and hold my heart.
So many questions without answers, Your promises remain
I can't see but I'll take my chances to hear You call my name
To hear You call my name
One tear in the driving rain,
One voice in a sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart?
One life, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Won't You come close and hold my heart.
Hold my heart, could you hold my heart?
Hold my heart.
Wow, what you wrote is really powerful, and it's true. We love you and are praying for you all. I'm happy to finally see photos of Rylee!
ReplyDeleteBonnie & Benjamin
Dear Jon and Jess,
ReplyDeleteThis verse has been on my heart for all of us during this hard waiting. I looked it up this morning and wanted to share it with you. I can't explain why it comforts except that the Lord comforts me with it.
Psalm 27:13-14
I had fainted unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
I love you so much, Love Mom (Kathy)
Thank you for providing a way for us to follow Rylee's progress. She has been on our minds and in our hearts constantly. There are people praying for her all over the U.S. We will keep the prayers coming. We love you.
ReplyDeleteLove Jennifer Cherry
Rylee is beautiful! This is Phyllis Kramar, Auntie Sharon's sister, and old friend of your grandpa and grandma, Lee and Judy. I'm asking my prayer warrior friends to pray for Rylee.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Phyllis