Hope comes on a wing and a prayer

¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you;

    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

A hummingbird fluttering near me in my yard this evening, encouraged me greatly. It has been long days and nights of prayer and tears, and the little bird, which some cultures see as a sign of encouragement and healing, I took that our prayers have been heard.

With a family member in the hospital looking and sounding better tonight, I am hopeful that God, ever faithful, is answering many prayers. One is that our children will come to acknowledge that luck is not what saved a brother and son this week. Neither medical skill nor human will. While medicine can ease pain and treat physical wounds, and healing has a lot to do with the patient’s state of mind, we give thanks to the One who guides it all.

With a lifetime of recovery ahead for our son, the only tears shed today are ones of joy. Our family’s reward is seeing his familiar smile, hearing a familiar banter between brothers, and relief in the faces of nurses, doctors, parents and siblings. The patient’s sleep, while his body heals, is the best he’s had in many months, he said. Sleep tonight, for others, is the slumber of thankfulness.

Sleep well, son. The next steps in recovery are up to you. You may one day acknowledge that a Father, Son and Spirit has been watching over you. But, for now you will have members of God’s family to rally you, day and night, as long as you need.