The Mysterious Grace of God

The various events and encounters of today were suddenly thrown to the sidelines when I received disheartening news from some friends of mine. Cody and Maria Whittaker--members of our Ogletown family who have been called to the mission field in Haiti--had gotten some bad news regarding their daughter Susana's health. Their little 4 year old girl has been battling cancer for some time now and they learned that her tumors have returned and she may only have a few months to live. Their journey of trial and faith can be read on http://www.howcantheyhear.org/

Few things can torpedo our faith like the suffering of little children. Adults suffer as well; and sometimes we dismiss it as the sowing of what they've reaped. But the pain of seeing a child suffer is a whole different story. What purpose and plan does God have in something like this? is a question that we beg to have answered. Why must godly people who've surrendered the comforts most of us enjoy to serve in a poor country have to endure this type of heartache? is yet another. I know Cody and Maria well enough to know that they've drawn closer to God through this devastating trial, yet I also know that they have shed countless tears and that the pain they are feeling is all too real.

Cody just posted these words from his heart: "The grace of God is mysteriously with us. We have wept like crazy, but at the same time know that we can let her go and be with Jesus. He is the prize for which we chase hard after every day and it seems like Susana will be the one who gets there first. This will only make our longing for the Kingdom to come all the more." What an awesome testimony of faith! Even still, the Whittakers need God's unconditional love, his all-sufficient grace, his everlasting mercy and his unmatched comfort and strength. As do each and every one of us.

Just thinking about what Cody and Maria are now facing makes any difficulty I face seem rather trivial. It drives me to my knees to intercede for them and to seek His presence. It makes me realize that every day we have is an opportunity to impact God's Kingdom. It makes a hug and a smile from my daughter Amanda that much more precious. It makes me desire more than anything else this mysterious grace of God that brings His peace--the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).