IT’S GONNA BE OK

Joseph, the angel, goes before God, because tonight is the crucial night for George Baker. Many, many people are praying for him because tonight could be his last night. God hears the prayers and sends down Clarence, the angel who has the faith of a child, but no wings. This is the opening of my favorite movie, “ It’s a Wonderful Life”. Thursday night many, many, people were in prayer for a very special man, only his name is Steve. This was the last hope for his life. The surgeon did not promise very much. But, like in the movie, you need to start from the beginning. Steve and Kimmer had just moved to Idaho, into their forever home, in the same neighborhood as their kids and seven grandkids. It was a dream come true. Shortly afterwards Steve began feeling sick and eventually was diagnosed with incurable bile duct cancer. The rounds of chemo left Steve septic more than once, severe loss of weight, fatigue, and suffering. Now, many people who have been in similar circumstances, have asked the question “why or why me?” This is when, as a Christian, you come to the crossroads of your faith. And it won’t be just one time. It will be day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second. This was now Kimmer’s life. Tears, exhaustion, became an everyday occurrence but NOT the question “why me?” . Instead, she leaned into her Father for strength, clarity of direction, and hope for Steve. Where are you right now? For many, life is good, and God isn’t really needed. For others, you are in the middle of a crises, or just asking the question of God “why me?”. It may not be as dire as Steve and Kimmer’s life, but for you, it is still a question of faith. How deep are your roots to withstand the storm you are facing right now? Will the winds take you down or will you face it head on with the strength that can only come from God? And then it happened. The Lord spoke to Kimmer, and said “ it’s going to be ok”. And with that promise, she faced the storm head on, knowing all the odds against Steve’s healing, and scheduled the surgery…their last hope. With all the prayers going up to heaven on Thursday night, Steve went into surgery Friday morning. Hours past before the surgeon came out and said “ it went well”. Going forward will still be a test of faith, but, like this entire journey, Steve, Kimmer, and their entire family, will praise God for this answered prayer. At the end of the movie “ It’s a Wonderful Life” George not only survived, but was given a new perspective of what JOY really is…God, family, friends, and the hope of what is to come. As we continue to pray for Steve’s recovery, I pray for you, the person reading this blog, that you will lean into God, our Father, face your storm head on, and trust that it’s gonna be ok….in Jesus.