You're Going to be Okay

 

"You're going to be okay." I think all of us have had times when we needed to hear these words. My grandson, Evan, needed to hear them about three months ago. 

He was lying in the E.R. hearing that there was something wrong with his heart. The cardiologist was using words quite unfamiliar to a fifteen-year-old, and talking about scheduling tests that frankly sounded intimidating. After the doctor had discussed these things with his mom, as John and I looked on, my daughter turned to Evan and asked if he had any questions.

"What does all this mean?" His voice sounded rather shaky, as you can imagine that it would. 

The doctor, who at that moment I decided had to have a child of his own, put his hand on my grandsons's knee and said those words, "Son, you're going to be okay."

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I sincerely wanted to hug the man. All this kid wanted to hear, to know, was that he would be okay. He needed someone with knowledge, with wisdom, who understood the situation, to reassure him, to confidently say, "I've got this, and it's all good."

It's a little over thirty-six hours now until Evan undergoes open heart surgery. In the interim of waiting, the emotional stress has been real. On Evan, his parents and yes, his Nonni. We are confident in the outcome. The surgical team is highly recommended by personal friends of the family. The children's hospital is a wonderful establishment. He will be in very good hands. 

But more than that, Evan is in even greater hands. At the outset of all this, Evan made it well known that his life was in God's hand. His life was God's, and he trusted Him with it. His parents have the same belief system. Now I've mentioned here before that a sweet man of God told me, even with the strongest of faith, 'If ya ain't a little scared, there's something wrong with ya'. So, there is a little fear in there too. Because we are facing a major undertaking here.

And it's okay if we have moments of fear, stress, and uneasiness. God made provision for these. 

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7

If He did not expect us to have moments of needing a peace beyond our own abilities, He would not have provided this wellspring of supernatural Peace that defies explanation. When the situation is beyond our ability to control, to manage, to feel anything but absolute terror or despair over--He shows up with a supply of peace.

His Faithfulness will be your shield. Psalm 91:4

When we enter the waiting room Friday morning, the life of our precious child in the hands of others, there will no doubt be moments of anxiety. Hours of waiting, in the silence will come the urge to give in to worry, fear and doubt. And that is when we will need to reach back, and remember those words. The words of Jesus echoing through the ages.

You're going to be okay.