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Sunday, January 23, 2011

He gives and takes away.

".... the LORD gave, and
the LORD hath
taken away; blessed be
the name of the LORD"
(Job 1:21b)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There are lots of good things about living in a small town. One of them is that when something happens in the small town, it doesn't take long before everyone knows about it. That is a wonderful thing when someone has a need. When someone is hurting and needs comfort. When there is an illness and somebody needs prayer.

Our small town is reeling tonight with the loss of precious baby. Just 2 days ago, a young couple that I know were on their way home from the family's deer camp with their boys, ages 16 months and 4 months. The 4 month old baby was a little fussy and had a runny nose and when they got home they put him in the bed for a nap. His mother checked on him a little while later and he was purple and struggling to breathe. They rushed him to the hospital and after a very hard few hours there (he coded several times), he was airlifted to Children's Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. The diagnosis? Swine flu and possible meningitis.

He was experiencing swelling of his little brain and he was on life support. The doctors did not give the family much hope. The EEG was showing little or no brain activity. The family still clung to the hope that we have in our Lord. Sometime this afternoon, the little baby suffered a stroke. The doctors determined that there was no brain activity at all and sometime around 6 PM, that precious baby was swept into the arms of Jesus.

Tonight, this young couple - ages 22 and 23 - had to travel back home without their newest little baby. Their family of 4 is suddenly back to a family of 3. They had to make their way back to their home to begin a new chapter of their life that they never imagined would be written. It is tragic. It has rocked the lives of my daughters, as they knew this couple and can't even begin to comprehend what they are going through. As young mothers themselves, it is a nightmare for them to realize how quickly little baby Kannon got sick and died.

I ask that you please pray for this family. Pray that God's divine purpose prevails in this situation. Pray that the family will turn to God and that He will be revealed to them in a powerful way. Pray comfort and peace upon them.

If that wasn't enough, we found out that another young couple that my daughters and their husbands are friends with, are in the hospital with their 2 month old daughter. She has meningitis as well. The dad said that the doctors said they caught it early and she will be in the hospital for 10 days, but that she will be okay. Please pray for her as well. The little girls name is Emery.

For something like this to happen in such a small town is scary. We're talking real small. Like 2500 people small... Please lift up these families to our Lord.

Our only hope is in God. He is the one who gives life and He is the only one who has the power to take it away. Even when we can't see His purpose, we know that He has one. And we trust that it is all for the glory of Him. Our hope is in Him.

11 comments:

Jana Endris said...

I know what it's like to live in a small town...we are all family and when one hurts...we all hurt. Praying for both of these families today.

achildoftheking said...

Your will, Father God. Praise You even in the midst of this very low time. Amen!

Anonymous said...

Ah Jesus come to these families today! I cannot even begin to imagine what they are going through... but You Lord, are the comfort giver.

Denise said...

I cannot even fathom the depths of pain...but I am praying for this precious young couple and their friends and family.

Cover them Father in your holy and amazing love. Wrap them tightly in your arms and when their hearts ache - bring to them the grace and peace that can only come from you. May your holy presence be tangible to their breaking hearts. In Jesus' name...Amen.

Walk In Truth said...

Hi Beth,

My heart goes out to both of these families, and I will pray. I don't know the pain of losing a child, but I do know the pain of almost loosing a child to illness many times, and it's so good to know people are praying for you. Again, I will pray for these families.

God bless you

Ella said...

Lifting them before the throne of grace Beth.......Heartbreaking.

Anonymous said...

Beth, I pray that God will comfort the hurting families in your little town. I also pray that God will use this tragedy to draw people unto Him.

In Jesus Name Amen!

Nana Jul said...

I just can't even imagine.
Dear Jesus, comfort your people. Lord you know the hopes of the hopeless, surely you will hear their cry and comfort them. Ps.10:17
I'll be praying!
Love,
Julie

Dawning Inspiration said...

My chin about hit the floor in shock and is now mouthing words of prayer...

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

So sad, no words can convey anything to comfort..
A book I found helped me many years ago at the loss of a baby was by Dale Evans 'Angel Unaware.'
Obtainable from Amazon....
God Bless you all.

~Sandy said...

Praying for these two young families.I am so sorry to hear about what they are going through. We will keep praying. As a survivor of meningitis I know how VERY terrible it is. It almost took my life after the birth of my youngest son.I too went from perfect health to very sick in just a matter of a few hours. I feel for anyone that goes through that.