When we got to the hospital after Nathan's surgery, the doctor looked serious. They had not, he explained, been able to finish the surgery on Nathan's face. They'd finished the eye sockets and cheekbones, but after almost four hours of surgery, they decided they'd have to leave the jaw for next week. That was disappointing. I'd been looking forward to Nathan's waking up after more than ten days of sedation, but the doctor told us they wouldn't be waking him only to anesthesize him again sometime soon . But we comforted ourselves with the thought that progress is being made. (The doctor added that the biggest threats to further progress at this point are infections in Nathan's wounds or in his lungs.)
And then... just before visiting hours ended, I suggested to Hannah that I sing Nathan the song that had become a bedtime tradition with Stacey ("Jesus Loves Me"). Hannah seemed to think it was a bit corny, but she joined me in song. Imagine my surprise (almost shock!) when I saw and felt Nathan's hand move in mine. I told Hannah as much, and she told me I must have been imagining things. I began wondering aloud whether I was, in fact, imagining things, when I saw a teardrop course down his cheek. Again, Hannah was doubtful. "It'd just the ointment on his eyes," she said. But then Hannah herself was dumbfounded to feel his other hand squeeze hers. The two of us were so excited we could hardly contain ourselves. I told Hannah that it must have been our singing that was the "secret" to Nathan's responsiveness; so Hannah suggested that we sing "Amazing Grace." As we did so, Nathan began moving one of his legs, both arms, his head and face, and even wiggling his shoulders and chest. I suppose he might have spoken had he not had the respirator tube taped in his mouth!
It was almost as exciting (and almost as unnerving) as watching someone in a morgue become responsive! (The doctor had explicitly told us that we should not expect that Nathan would "come to" by opening his eyes and saying, "Hi, Mom and Dad," but I must admit that that is precisely what I was expecting. So to have his motionless figure, with eyes still shut, suddenly begin moving was the most wonderful shock of my life.)
What a wonderful reenactment of the Luke 7:11-17 story that has meant so much to Hannah from the very day we got the phone call about Nathan's accident:
"...Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, with a great crowd following him. A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The boy who had died was the only son of a widow... When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion... Then he walked over to the coffin... 'Young man,' he said, 'get up.' Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk to those around him! And Jesus gave him back to his mother." That last phrase has been precious to Hannah from the very hour we got the phone call from Austria. The Luke account concludes by saying that the crowd were awestruck. "We have seen the hand of God at work today," they said. And "the report of what Jesus had done that day spread all over Judea and even out across its borders."
The report of what God has done for Nathan and for Hannah and me and our family will likewise spread from one end of the globe to the other. We have praying friends on virtually every continent! THANK YOU for praying...and for continuing to pray. Please pray that our Great Physician will prevent infections in Nathan's wounds or in his lungs. (The sooner he gets off that respirator the better; it tends to cause infections in the lungs. And he has a rash, on and off, that the doctors attribute to his being allergic to some of the antibiotics they have given him to deal with the threat of worsening infections.)
We are thrilled at what God has been doing for Nathan and for us! And we are grateful to you ongoing pray-ers!
"...My heart is filled with joy; I burst out in songs of thanksgiving!" (Psalm 28:7)
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8 comments:
What a great piece of news! God is good! We are praying for you all and especially for wisdom and peace in this time of uncertainty. Thank you for the updates - they really help focus prayers and keep us on our "knees" for you all.
It's both joy and excitement to hear Nathan responding to your singing. I'm glad you did not give up on it simply because it felt a bit corny! The thought of singing to Nathan may sound simple but it's inspired (in Spirit). Continue to listen to the promptings of the Spirit, He does not speak without effect. We are sharing the excitement and joy with you and will continue to lift up Nathan in prayer to our Lord.
What can one say in the presence of the Lord? These lines from a familiar song come to mind: "I(We) stand, I(We) stand in awe of You....Holy God to whom all praise is due, I(We) stand in awe of You..."
CNg
God is so good! Jesus loves Nathan and all of us! Amazing grace indeed!
We were so happy to hear this news today. The joy you felt(and Nathan too) must truly have been uplifting.We will keep our prayer group updated and continue our prayers--- With Love Trish and Pat.
There are tears in my eyes as I read this amazing moment. I am thrilled that God blessed you with this joy and hope. In this journey of recovery with so many steps ahead, each little one is special. The simple, powerful words of "Jesus Loves Me" will be in my head and heart today.
We continue to pray daily for healing and peace. Thanks for your ongoing use of Scripture in your blog - what a great reminder of the power of the Word through all situations. May God richly bless your whole family in the tough days ahead.
we also sing in praise for God's wonderful work in Nathan's(and the whole family's) condition. we continue to be your pray-ers. Thank you that despite everything you still are able to increase our faith with your testimonies.
See you soon!
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