Faith Over Fear

There are aspects of November I'd rather had never happened, and I honestly haven't felt much like writing on here.  I am one who believes that there are lessons and positive things to be learned in every trial, but sometimes it takes a while to recognize them.  My heart aches with both sorrow and gratitude for family and dear friends who have experienced loss and who were spared a loss.  So, until I can say that I am able to see the good that can come after grieving with friends over the loss of their parents, I will continue to shout at the top of my lungs that I am so grateful that my sweet nephew was spared.

The more I've thought about it, I need to share the story of my nephew because of its impact on my family.  Early in November, I got a phone call from my mom saying that my 1 year-old nephew had been caught in the cord of the window blinds, and my brother found him, moments later, not breathing.  My brother immediately gave him some rescue breaths, and my nephew began to whimper.  By the time the paramedics arrived, he was crying, but they still transported him to Cincinnati Children's Hospital via life flight.  It was a very serious situation, and as soon as I heard, I just broke down and cried.  Brandon called us all together and said a prayer.  Then he went outside and called the surrounding temples to put Elliott's name on the prayer roll.  I then noticed Renae slip upstairs and heard her crying through the baby monitor.  When I went upstairs to console my little girl, I saw her kneeling at the side of her bed, sobbing, and earnestly pleading, "please, God, let my cousin live."  I was so impressed by this strength of this little girl who chose faith, while I felt myself succumbing to fear. 

It seems like when I was a child, I relied on the testimony and faith of my parents to help me through hard times.  In fact, there was a period of time where I never wanted to ever grow up and have a family because I was scared of having to be responsible for keeping other people safe physically and spiritually.  Ironically, in that moment, I found myself clinging to the faith of my child.  Perhaps it was unfair of me to lean on Renae in that moment, but seeing her confidence in the ability of the Lord to heal her cousin helped me to realize the importance of having faith over giving in to fear.  Fortunately, sweet Elliott was able to return home after only a few days in the hospital, with no indication of brain damage or other long-term effects. 

When I shared this story with my mom, her voice broke over the phone as she told me that she had just told my brother that she believed it would be the prayers of his cousins that would help Elliott pull through.  It is amazing to me to know that this rising generation is already so strong in their faith, and it's humbling to know that it's up to me, as a parent to this rising generation, to teach them well.