Sunday, June 7, 2020

God Isn't to Blame

“Our faith serves as an anchor for the soul; firm and secure." ~ Hebrews 6:19
Scott’s tremors started during a typical Michigan winter.
Following a routine exam, their pediatrician referred him to a neurosurgeon.  When the specialist agreed to meet with them sooner than normal, Karen sensed that something serious was affecting her active 4-year-old child.
Within days, Scott’s trembling intensified.  Karen and Doug watched helplessly while their sweet boy’s energy faded from a body betraying him.
An MRI scan of Scott’s brain confirmed the presence of a tumor.  Surgery was necessary in order to remove what everyone hoped was benign.
After eight hours, the operation finally ended.  The neurosurgeon explained that they removed only half of the tumor.  “It’s highly aggressive, rare and malignant,” he added. “Options are limited because of Scott’s age.  An experimental treatment is available, but chances of surviving the "grueling" treatment are pretty low.  The only other alternative is to return home and receive hospice care.”
Shock turned to sadness; then emptiness.
The couple prayed and consulted experts before making the decision to care for their dying son at home.  In the final weeks of his life, thoughts turned toward heaven.
For Karen, there was a moment when Scott suffered so much pain, she prayed that God would just take him; ‘Don’t let him suffer anymore.’  Then she wondered ‘What if he arrives in heaven and doesn’t know Jesus?’  Such silly thoughts go through your mind.
Karen prayed at Scott’s bedside, pouring out her heart to Jesus when a vision emerged.  Scott was with a group of people when he turned and saw Jesus smiling directly at him.
His face lit up with gratitude as he ran into Jesus’ open arms.  The message seemed clear: ‘Scott will know Me because he’ll recognize the love you gave him when he was yours.  He’ll feel that love here too.’  From that moment Karen felt at peace conceding her child’s transition to eternity.
The next morning, as Scott sat on his Dad’s lap, he relaxed and took his final breath.  Doug knew his son had gone home to be with the Lord.  He called the office to pass on the news.
“I’m so sorry,” the doctor replied.  “In all my years, I don’t know why God takes children so young and so innocent.”
Doug’s reply came quickly and without remorse.  “God didn’t take him, the tumor did.  God was there to accept him.”
It was incredibly liberating for Doug to know also, that when he witnessed his son suffer in pain and death, he knew with clarity that ‘this was not from God'.  It meant he could maintain a passionate faith despite such terrible loss.  And that if we choose to wrestle today with God’s role in suffering, our faith is better prepared for tomorrow’s pain.
Dear Lord, the One who holds me up, the One that loves me even though I’m undeserving.  You are good.  Help me remember that on the hardest days too.  Amen