Miracle Max-3 - Wednesday December 14, 2011
"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." John 9:3 NIV
Our grandson Max, barring an amazing miracle, will probably never be "normal." His oxygen deprivation at birth caused brain injury that has already made itself apparent by his inability to nurse or swallow volumes of liquid adequately. He may have issues of hearing and sight impairment. He has seizures that need to be managed with medication. Other complications will likely manifest themselves as he grows. All of these things cause Max to require extra care. He feeds and receives medication through a g-tube in his tummy. He has frequent visits with therapists, doctors, and home health care nurses.
The age-old questions loom large. "Why, Lord?" "Why Max?" We feel loss, grief, and even a sense of dread of what may come. We mourn that all is not "right" and wish we could just fix things and make everything better.
A few years back, as I mourned over some handicaps in one our own children, God whispered firmly into my heart, "Who says normal is best?" I realized that I had been holding up what people call "normal" as my measuring stick for what enables a good life. My Good Shepherd may have other definitions for "normal" and "best"!
God's plans and purposes may not always line up with what we desire, but they always line up with bringing Him glory. Whether in this life, through brokenness, weakness, and pain, or definitely in the next life, when all is healed and made truly "right," His overall objective is to point eyes of trust and hearts of praise toward Himself.
Submitted by:
Dawn Bovenmyer
Stonebrook Community Church
Ames, Iowa
One-Year Reading Plan:
Jonah 1:1-4:11
Revelation 5:1-14
Psalms 133:1-3
Proverbs 29:26-27
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