We experienced every parent’s and grandparent’s worst nightmare a few days ago.  Our high school granddaughter had mysterious, excruciating pain.  The ER finds a mass.  The doctor tells them the C word and sends her for emergency surgery.  In those moments of anguish, where do you turn?  Do you calm your racing mind with platitudes that everything is going to be alright?  Do you distract yourself with busyness?  Do you soothe yourself with sentimental songs?  Do you run to others for comfort?  Or do you rest in a great and caring God who shelters her and you under his wings?  

Suddenly all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season fades.  The ‘holly jolly’ doesn’t help the pain.  The pretty colored lights can’t chase the shadows of fear.  Parties are meant for the healthy.  

At just the right time, a favorite uncle texts a snippet of Scripture and his own heartfelt prayer.  

Psalm 65:5-8, “You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations. Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.”

Father, the seas and waves are roaring and turmoil abounds. Thank You that this is far from Your first rodeo. Thank You that we can be confident that You will work Your awesome works of righteousness and power, and the result will be Your praise, and our joy.

Our daughter later sent us this text from the hospital.  

“That text from Uncle K that said this isn’t God’s first rodeo, when we went down into the surgical unit there was a sign above the main hallway that said “Rodeo Drive.” It made me feel so much better. 

I was telling K about it and didn’t realize the nurse was listening. She gasped and said, “Oh, wow! See, he’s looking out for you.””

God’s comfort and strength come alive from the pages of Scripture and his Spirit brings inner peace when we need it most.  No human could arrange the small details to fall into place that would bring our daughter and granddaughter hope and peace.  Rodeo?!  And that one word whispers, “I’m God and I’ve got this.  I’ve got her and you. I love you both.”

After the surgery, the capable and kind surgeon reported that the large mass was completely removed and didn’t appear to be cancerous.

Now, three days later, we are still marveling at the God who cares and who brings a good outcome in spite of human failure on the part of the first doctor who failed to act in a timely, accurate or compassionate manner.  The 24 hour unnecessary delay, the scary and unfounded diagnosis, being sent to the wrong hospital (not all hospitals are pediatric care hospitals), no operating room available – none of these could thwart God’s awesome deeds.   God isn’t limited by the ignorance or callousness of humans.  He carries us along in his own arms and provides exactly what we need as we nestle into him.  

“I’m so glad to see the light of day,”  our daughter said on the morning after the wee-hours surgery on our granddaughter.  Reminded me of the verse Uncle had written, “Where morning dawns and evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.”

What does all this have to do with Christmas? you might ask.  To me it was a reminder to give my thoughts and allegiance to the strong One who humbled himself to be born as a helpless baby.  All the trappings of Christmas fade in the light of that precious babe who grew to be a man so compassionate that he gave up his own life to give us life.  He isn’t an infant, or a crucified hero any more.  He is reigning in power and he bends down to hear our cries.  

“There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.  He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.

This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.”  1 Timothy 2:5-6

He is no longer “away in the manger” – not away from us, not separated from us by a chasm of time and space.  He is right now here with us.  As close as our thoughts and prayers.

 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us.  For in him we live and move and exist.”  Acts 17:27-28

P.S.  Got the lab results today.  No cancer!  Thank you, Lord!!!