He Is With Us Always
What time will you pick me up? (Oct 3, 2017 4:18 PM)
About 5. (read 10/3/17)
This was the last communication I had with my son, Nate, before the accident. Just a few minutes more and we would have met as planned.
I arrived at the house, and instead of Nate being there, people who I hadn't met before were rushing to get in a vehicle. There had been a severe accident, and they were on their way to the hospital. They asked if I wanted to ride with them, but I felt compelled to drive myself. We didn't know how the boys were doing, only that they were both injured. I called Jenny to give her the news and information about the hospital.
The 6-mile drive in heavy traffic seemed like an eternity. Soon after we arrived at the hospital one of the boys came in. He was severely injured, but he would be okay. Relief. Thank God. I waited several more minutes, expecting Nate to come in as well, but no news. A nurse came to me and explained that Nate was being airlifted to a different hospital. They had no additional information about his condition. I called Jenny, and we both headed to the second hospital, about 27 miles away.
During this drive, we prayed, we wondered, we hoped. There was nothing we could do. Nate was in God's hands.
Jenny arrived at the hospital a bit before me, and she saw the helicopter land. Caleb was with Jenny, Josh and Josie met us at the hospital. David was still at school. We were lead to a private room by the waiting room, where we sat and prayed, no one saying much of anything. There was no information about Nate's condition for 20 to 30 minutes.
As we look back on this day, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus was ministering to us, sitting with us, coming alongside us. At the same time, Jesus was with Nate, he was welcoming Nate into his presence, he was wrapping his arms around him, and Nate was now in paradise.
Isaiah 41:10
"fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
When you go through difficult situations know that God will not allow you to walk through it alone. As followers of Jesus, we are not to fear or be dismayed. God promises to be with us and to shepherd us through even the darkest hour. We testify that God keeps his promises.