By Rev. Larry Thompson,
Pastor Martinsburg Church in Bruin
On April 18, after enduring a day of acute headache and sinus pain, my wife drove me to the Butler ER, where it was determined that I was experiencing a substantial brain bleed. I was soon evacuated by medical helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh and operated on the next afternoon.
This was the last thing Darcy and I were expecting. Prior to the day, I was feeling well and experiencing no symptoms. Life was proceeding normally. We were wrapping up things at home and at the church, in preparation for trip to Lancaster, PA on Friday, April 21. But God had other plans.
In Isaiah 55:8-9, God says to us: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than you thoughts.” Many times, it is difficult to comprehend the ways and purposes of God, but we must learn to honor and trust Him in all things and at all times.
God is also faithful to those who trust Him: “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lam.3:22-23 ESV).” This steadfast and never ceasing love of God enveloped Darcy and I during all of this. In the hours leading up to and following my surgery, there are events and blocks of time of which I have no recollection to this very day. But the one thing I do recollect is the steadfast love and all sufficiency of God.
In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, the Apostle Paul writes: “And he (Christ) said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength (power) is made perfect (complete) in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities (weaknesses), that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong,”
Through all of this, God has provided me a season of time to “slow down” and focus all the more on serving Him and to rejoice in the power and glory of Jesus Christ. For all of this, I will praise Him, now and forever more.
Amen and Amen.