The Works of God

To get to The Elisha Foundation retreat last Thursday required a drive up the Oregon coast.

Just a few miles from our destination, Paul had one of his mysterious episodes.  They continue to break my heart and I quietly prayed as I drove, “Lord, help my boy. Help me!”

And he did.

Just a few minutes after that episode, we turned a corner and saw the mighty Pacific Ocean.  My children had never seen an ocean before, it had been years since I had seen one and Paul was now relatively comfortable and resting, so we stopped to take it in.

On that stretch of coast the waves crash with a thunderous roar against the rocks and the beach.  It is an awesome display of raw, unrelenting power.  It was beautiful and compelling and dangerous.

And God reminded me, “I hold that together – that expanse that runs for thousands of miles in both directions is under my absolute control.  Every water molecule behaves exactly as I designed it and desire it.”

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:15-17

All things, including boys with mysterious, painful ailments.  Especially boys with mysterious, painful ailments.  My son has not been forgotten, and God knows everything about him:

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7

I thank God for those crashing waves because of what they reminded me about God.