"It is I. Do not be afraid"

Those are the key words from the sermon that our pastor preached yesterday morning about having courage in the midst of the storms of life. The text that he used was from Matthew and was the story of the disciples being in a boat in the midst of the storm and Jesus walking toward them. This is the same story where Peter walks on the water. When you read these accounts and recognize God's power, it's sometimes difficult to put yourself in the place of those in the story.

Yesterday morning, as I was standing in the back of church holding Garrett, I kept whispering to him, "Quiet. Listen to Pastor Phil. He's talking about one of the Bible stories that you like. He's talking about the storm and Peter walking on the water." I also whispered at one point, "He's talking about having courage. That is what Mommy and Daddy pray for you. That's why we named you Garrett. We want you to be a courageous soldier for the Lord." Little did I know at the time that it wouldn't be long before both Garrett and I needed that courage.

Yesterday afternoon, we enjoyed a graduation open house for one of the Bible quizzers from our church. It was just around the corner from our house. So, of course, on a beautiful August afternoon, we walked. Shortly after 8:00, as the party was winding down, we headed home. As usual, Karissa was in the lead with Garrett not far behind. Micah and Rachel were walking with Matt and I. While we were still a ways back, Karissa looked and then crossed the road from the sidewalk to our house. I told Matt, "Garrett's going to go too." And then said, "Garrett stop." He wasn't quite to the driveway across from ours, but didn't hear me. As he neared the place where we would cross, I saw lights from a car rounding the corner from the next street. I told Matt, "He's going to get hit." It all happened so fast. Garrett stepped into the street, was struck by the car, thrown onto the hood and then was thrown back onto the street when the car braked. We were not carrying our cell phones. So as the driver and passenger stepped out of the car, Matt (who by then was next to Garrett and had moved him out of the road) yelled to them to call 911. At first Garrett was not moving or crying. When he first started crying, at least I knew he was alive. However, he was still not responding at all when the paramedics and police arrived.

During all of the hubbub, I ran inside and grabbed a phone and called the Arneson's house, where several people from church still were. Josh Christenson must have leaped over fences and run through back yards, because he was the first person I saw. Many others soon arrived. It was so comforting to have people to immediately care for our other children and begin praying for Garrett and for us as we faced this situation.

Riding in the ambulance, Garrett started to respond to his surroundings. Following him into the ER, I recognized how concerned and ready the staff there was. I have no idea the number of people that began working on Garrett the second he was pushed into a room. At first, we were taken around the corner to a waiting area where we prayed and waited for news. Although it seemed like a long time while we waited, it wasn't long before a nurse came to get us because Garrett was crying for us.

I happened to mention to one of the nurses that I was expecting our fifth child. So, as they began to do x-rays I had to wait in the hall. While I waited, I filled out my written statement for the police. It was then that I began to think even more about the terror that the young man who was driving must have been feeling. As I prayed for Garrett, I also prayed for the driver. As well as asking the policeman to notify him of Garrett's condition.

As was our experience when Garrett was hospitalized last year, he was so cooperative. He didn't complain about the neck brace or the IVs or all the poking prodding and questions. After the initial x-rays, Garrett was wheeled past and he and Matt went to the room where they would do the CT scan. So, more waiting and praying.

When they were finally done, Garrett was wheeled to one of the children's rooms in the ER and I was able to stand next to him and talk to him. Since Matt had been in with Garrett during the x-rays, it was now is turn to talk with the police and write out his statement. It was then that I remembered Pastor Phil's sermon. I was able to tell Garrett, "You are having courage just like Jesus said. Do you remember Pastor Phil saying, 'Take courage' this morning?" He said yes and seemed encouraged. It was also at this time that I realized that I need to "not be afraid."

As we talked with friends and family and recognized how many people were praying. We were very encouraged. Soon reports began coming back that there appeared to be no internal bleeding. Next, we learned that there appeared to be no broken bones. Once again, he had to be taken for more extensive x-rays and Matt went with. For a while I sat in the room alone and prayed and thought. While they were still gone, Pastor Phil came back from the waiting room. He had driven Matt in our car to follow the ambulance and waited so patiently. Although we mentioned a couple of times, "One of us should go get Pastor Phil." Things were happening so fast that we never did.

It wasn't long after Pastor Phil arrived and I had talked with him about God bringing to mind the words, "It is I. Do not be afraid." that Garrett and Matt were brought back to the room. And very shortly after that, we were taken up to a room in the PICU.

We decided that I would come home, get some things for the kids (who were staying at Pastor Phil's house with his wife Penne) and try to get some rest. Garrett's biggest concern when I left was that he couldn't really kiss me with the collar on his neck. On the way home, Pastor Phil called Penne and we learned that kids were asleep. So, I decided for sure to leave them there for the night. Matt spent the night at the PICU with Garrett. I was home before midnight, but the house felt very quiet. With such a busy mind, not much rest has come, but God's peace certainly has been present. At one point, I noticed a flashlight on the porch and a police car in the street. So I went to the door. The officer was giving me the name and insurance information of the driver which I would need for hospital and insurance paperwork. All I could think of at the time was how the young man must be feeling and again asked the officer to please let him know how Garrett was doing. As you think of it, please pray for him. Pray that if he does not know the Lord, that somehow this situation would be used in his life to draw him to God.

I will be going to the hospital soon, but wanted to let our friends and family know about God's amazing grace and mercy in our lives. We are so thankful that he spared Garrett's life. We so thankful for the loving church family and natural family that we have been blessed with. Most of all we are thankful for God's presence in all circumstances.

I had many other thoughts during the night, including a glimpse of understanding of how a God who loves us far more than a parent loves a child would be willing to take that child's place and be willing to die for that child. But the amazing thing is that God loved us while we were still sinners, alienated from Him and hostile toward Him! Don't we serve an amazing God?

I realize that since I have rarely posted here lately, many will not check. But I hope that it is an encouragement to any who read it that God is faithful and we do not need to be afraid because He is the I AM.