I would like to say a special thanks to all who have been praying for my grandson, Charlie. We came close to losing him last weekend. On Sunday evening, my wife and I received a dreaded text that his Covid-related condition had deteriorated to the point he had to be placed on a ventilator. His oxygen level had plummeted to 70, his heart was racing, and his temperature was spiking. He wasn’t responding well to medicines, and there was no other option. My wife seldom cries. It’s not her nature. When I heard her sobbing, “Oh, no! Oh, no.” I embraced her, and we sobbed together.

We then learned that Charlie’s chances for survival could be enhanced significantly if he were placed on an ECMO respiratory machine instead of a ventilator. The ECMO involves a complicated process that recirculates and elevates the oxygen level of the blood externally, which enables the heart and lungs to rest and hopefully heal. But we were told there were no ECMO machines available in the Nashville area where he was hospitalized.

On Monday, Charlie’s wife Faith texted, “Pray that an ECMO machine becomes available in the Nashville area!” Friends with medical connections all across the country prayed and searched with us. Thankfully, through the help of a family friend who is a physician in Louisville, our prayers were answered when an ECMO machine became available that afternoon. On Tuesday evening, Charlie made a smooth transition to the machine and was airlifted to Centennial hospital in Nashville, just a few minutes away.

As of this writing, Charlie is in a highly sedated state and remains on the ECMO machine. It is predicted he could be on that device for a minimum of three weeks or possibly longer. While not a sure cure, the ECMO machine has enhanced his chances. It appears he has responded favorably to the treatment within the first five days, and we are thankful. We are convinced God is answering our prayers.

I don’t recall who coined the phrase “God’s waiting room,” but that is where the Russell family is at this point. There is nothing we can do but wait and pray. The Scripture frequently instructs us to “Wait on the Lord.” We usually plead for God to answer prayer immediately and dramatically, but His response is often deliberate and unpretentious.

I have gone through some troubles in my life, but this is unquestionably the most difficult I have experienced. It is tough, partly because it involves my grandchild, whom I deeply love, but also because of so many uncertainties. Will there be additional complications? Has there been any brain damage? Will his kidneys begin to function again, or will he always be on dialysis? How long will it take for him to rehabilitate and return to normal strength?

In addition to being thankful for answered prayer, there are some positive spiritual lessons that are being reinforced in God’s waiting room.

I am reminded of the importance of supportive, praying friends. The Bible instructs us to “bear one another’s burdens.” I am so thankful for scores of friends who have reached out to us, letting us know they are praying and supporting us. Intimate friends, close friends, and casual friends have assured us, “We’re praying for Charlie.” Or “Our church has Charlie on their prayer list.”

One day last week, the Hikes Point Christian Church remained open all day for people to come in and pray. One friend of ours was so empathetic that he drove three hours to Nashville and walked around Charlie’s hospital to pray for God’s intervention. Another group of 30 friends gathered on a zoom call and prayed thirty minutes for Charlie, his wife Faith, his parents, and our entire family. (An audio copy of that prayer is found below.)

On Tuesday, another friend found an available ECMO machine at the Cleveland Clinic and offered to pay the exorbitant price of a medical plane to transport Charlie there. Unfortunately, Charlie’s doctors concluded he would not survive the trip, and that option was dismissed. However, I’ll be forever grateful to my friend for his generous intent. In addition, other friends spontaneously offered financial support to Charlie and Faith due to Charlie’s loss of income and expected future medical expenses. It has been said, “A joy shared is a double joy, a burden shared is half a burden.” Today our burden is lighter because of supportive, praying friends.

I am reminded that God’s grace is sufficient. We often look at someone else’s burden and conclude, “I don’t think I could endure that.” Chances are, you’re right. You would be crushed under the weight of the unbearable anxiety and stress – if you attempted to cope alone. But you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. It’s amazing how God supplies our every need according to His riches in Christ Jesus. Amid our worst trials, God keeps His promise never to leave or forsake us. Instead, Jesus sends His Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to reinforce and strengthen within.

I am reminded that when there is nothing you can do, you need to do something. If you cannot do anything about a situation, it does not help to sit and fret, making yourself and everyone around you more miserable. Instead, it helps me to stay active, drop to my knees and pray, write a blog, study for a sermon, preach the message, counsel with a preacher, visit with friends, play golf, go to my grandson’s football game, run an errand or even weed the flower garden. Do something that occupies your mind and body because you make the situation worse by permitting Satan to overwhelm you with anxiety.

I am reminded that the hope of heaven is essential. The Bible says that Abraham endured incredible stress and heartache because he was “looking forward to the city whose architect and builder is God.” The promise of eternal life reinforced Abraham through severe trials. We all need short-term hopes, long-term hopes, and eternal hopes. Without eternal hopes, life eventually becomes meaningless.

The hope of heaven sustains me right now.  One way I deal with anxiety is to face the worst possible scenario and determine how, with God’s help, I will cope with it. Praying in faith is believing all things are possible with God. It is not believing that God will always do exactly what we request. After all, “This is our Father’s world.” If Charlie doesn’t pull through, we still have the promise that “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). It will really hurt, and we will be deeply grieved. However, it will be only for a brief time because God is going to make all things right — someday, very soon!

“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor. 4:16-187).

*Liz Higgs recently offered a touching prayer for Charlie during a zoom call with a handful of friends. You may listen to it below.  Everyone should sing, but some people are more gifted to sing than others. Likewise, everyone should pray, but some are more gifted to pray. Liz is a gifted prayer. If you are not super-gifted to pour out your heart to God on this issue, then simply pray along with Liz and say, “Amen.”

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