May 29th, 2012
I was recently loaned a book called "A Miracle for Jen" by a dear friend. This book was also purchased for me by Ms. P., so I knew I was meant to read it!
What I have often felt in my own life is that God teaches us through our experiences, and those of others. When I hear of what others have faced, I am left speechless, and even more grateful for what I have been given.
While listening to the news this morning, I heard that Paul Henderson (scored the winning goal against Russia in that infamous hockey match almost 40 years ago) has cancer, and that it is quite invasive and spread throughout his body. He is 69 years old, and the commentator remarked how he may not be here to celebrate the 40th anniversary of that infamous goal.
What the commentator also mentioned was that Paul was a Christian. In Paul's own voice he said "thank you God for giving me cancer. I now have the type of relationship with you that I have always wanted."
To most, this might seem like folly, but I completely understood what he meant. I know that Jen Barrick and her family understand what Paul meant.
Jen was a 15 year old girl whose life drastically changed several years ago one night after a high school concert. She sang with all her heart to her God - Lord, You're Holy. There was no doubt that Jen loved the Lord.
She kept meticulous diary entries that journalled her walk with the Lord. She asked God to make her bold so that she could proclaim His love to others and fully gave her life to Him, to be used by Him.
After a tragic accident she was taken to hospital where she remained in a coma for 5 weeks. She had multiple skull fractures and a very severe brain injury.
Her mother narrates the story, so you are able to understand Jen's perspective and her mother's perspective. Both are very compelling and very real.
Having lost a sister to a brain injury in a car accident, I was intrigued by this story.
Doctor's and nurses prepared her family for the worst. They did not expect her to live. Even if she did, she could end up in a vegetative state. We were told the same thing about my sister. Doctor's and nurses see these types of tragedies regularly, so they are speaking from experience. What they did not realize, was that this young lady had prayed to her Lord to be used mightily, and He has been faithful to do that and was about to show her and others how powerful He can be in the face of adversity.
I am providing a brief overview of this story, but it is worth reading.
What I found remarkable, was not only the way that God answered prayer, but that when Jen slowly awoke from her coma she was unable to communicate with people in the room. The process required to hear, think, and respond, was not working properly. That would have to be learned again. But what was miraculous, was that Jen spent long periods of time in prayer and singing praises to God. It was clear and understandable. She quoted scripture that had obviously been read in her youth, but now poured out of her mouth as though she were reading it from the Bible. Unexplicable, but possible with God.
This is a story of a young lady that God has used mightily. Her life is not pain free. It is far from that. But whenever she speaks about her Lord, she speaks with clarity and conciseness that could only come from God. This young lady who was not expected to live, and defied the odds, is being used mightily by God.
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
I cannot think of anyone that personifies this more than Jen. Her willingness to be used by God, to be shattered and weak, to give her all to Him so that others might know of Him, is inspiring.
She saw Him standing beside her even though her vision was so badly impaired she could barely see. She died to self, and because of that He was able to use her mightily.
So when Paul Henderson thanks God for his affliction, and when Jen Barrick thanks God for her circumstances that brought her a boldness she did not possess, and a testimony that makes others sit up and listen, I see His purpose in my life in a new way.
Jen's and Paul's story remind me once again that God matures us through the difficult moments. When things are going well, it is easy to slip back into superficiality. Angry when someone cuts you off, or treats you poorly. This is our immediate reaction. But when I am struggling with a health issue, or emotional or mental pain, I hear His voice calling me to rest. The unimportant things become so much smaller, as He becomes larger.
Jesus reaches the world through His believers. We must become smaller so that Christ can become bigger.
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Our purpose and God's will for our lives is for us to glorify Him.
1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
When a kindness is done, I want others to see God and His love for them. When a hug is given, or food is shared, I want others to know the one who sent me. I am painfully aware of who I am without God. Any goodness or compassion you see comes from Him.\
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.So for Jen Barrick and Paul Henderson, they understand the renewal day by day. I am learning to live it to. I am so grateful that He does not leave me where I am, but continues to teach me more and more about Him, daily. A walk with Christ is not a stagnant, one time committment. It should be filled with the fruit of the spirit and growth that pushes on to the finish line.
May God be glorified through Jen and Paul so that others might see Him, the Creator all things, The Father, our God.
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