Grace in the Darkness

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to

harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” – Jeremiah 29:11

To say the least, this fall has not followed the plan I envisioned it would. The “plan” was tossed way off course one Saturday afternoon when I received a phone call from my sister in-law telling me my brother had just landed on his head after falling 6 feet off a ladder. He was being rushed to North Memorial Hospital for treatment of severe brain trauma. Suddenly, things that seemed important and urgent were moved to the bottom of the list -- in fact, the list was tossed aside – and all focus turned to my brother.

We have all experienced this rapid change of priorities and plans in our life. These events grab hold of us and take precedent over all else. Worse, these events ignite our emotion of fear and lead us to questions that really have no clear answers. Like; “Why my brother?” or “Why did God let this happen to such a good man?”

Having a strong faith and being surrounded by friends, family and community that share that same faith and hope in Christ is what allowed me to find strength each day. For those first days it was tough to see him lying in bed showing no signs of recovery. What pulled me through those days was the outpouring of love and support from friends, family, and the larger 4th-Day. Through prayers, visits, and conversations I was flooded by God’s grace and given the strength and hope to face the coming days. God’s very word was also there to lend support. One of my brother’s favorite scripture passages is Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the

plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. What a great verse to carry one through regular daily life, and what a great verse to have handy when tragedy strikes. This passage gave us all hope and reminded us that God was present, He was with us through the whole process, and He had a plan for my brother and each one of us, too. As fears would rise I would return to Jeremiah for comfort and strength.

I could not imagine journeying this journey without being rooted in Christ. As I went back to work I had students walking up to me and saying; “Mrs. Mitchell, I am praying for your brother”. In the evening I would open the mail and emails to find beautiful prayers being offered by friends and 4th-Dayers near and far. The fact people took the time to let me know they were supporting me through this and praying for my brother was awesome. Christ’s love was real and palpable to me through these tough days.

This one incident has reminded me ever so gently to be attentive to God’s plan for me as these events happen in other people’s lives. I am to be the calm voice or presence of Christ to those in fear and be strength for the questioning. And I am to share that God has us in His hands even though we may not feel held at the time.

God’s plan for my brother is coming clearer as he has returned home. He has a long journey ahead of him but we know God is with each of us as he takes his recovery one day at a time. I wish to thank all of you who were Christ to me through these events.

Blessings.

Wendy Mitchell