Forever Changed
One family's triumph over tragedy through prayer and trusting in God's Word
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The second day was coming to an end, and so far Isaiah was hanging onto life. We knew many people were praying for him. Outside the hospital is a healing garden. It has a peaceful little fountain that runs into a small stream meandering around a beautifully landscaped garden. It was dark, and this was a place of solace for Randy that night. As he sat out there praying, asking God for strength and direction, he said God's quiet voice spoke to his mind and said, "I know what you are going through. I gave my son, a ransom for many. I understand, and I will walk with you. Just trust in Me." He shared this with me when he came back up to Isaiah's room. I told him that God had also given me comfort in the verses from Isaiah 40, "Even youths grow tired and weary, young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; the WILL RUN and not grow weary; the WILL WALK and not be faint." The words WILL WALK and WILL RUN struck me. What was God trying to tell me? Was Isaiah going to walk again? Would he even be able to run? How little faith we have at times, but this was such a clear message to me that I quickly wrote it down and placed it on the glass window outside Isaiah’s room. I needed that daily reminder of His promise, and I would cling to it every day, no matter what the doctors said, for nothing is impossible with God! Randy and I prayed together in Isaiah’s room. After sharing what God had spoken to each of us separately, we decided right there that no matter what happened, we would give God all the glory and praise Him in this storm. If Isaiah lived, we would praise Him; if He decided to take Isaiah to Heaven, we would praise Him. After all, why should we be spared from heartache. Isaiah was in His hands now. By late evening of the third day Dr. Jackson came into Isaiah;s room and said the MRI had shown there was no fractures in Isaiah’s neck, so the neck collar came off. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! It was amazing how quickly songs were the first things to pop into my head when we received any kind of news. This would be the new normal for me in the weeks and months to follow. God would bring a song to my mind, I would sing it to myself, and it would bring me peace. We were not out of the critical period yet, but we were comforted in knowing we were not alone and neither was Isaiah. Just as his name means salvation of the LORD, his “salvation” from this world would come from the One who created him.
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About the Book
How are you supposed to respond when you receive a call that your child has been in a severe accident? This is our family’s journey of how God used tragedy to drive us to our knees and seek to trust Him at His very word, even when the outcome could be devastating. It tells of the power of many people praying and just how God answered those prayers.
Isaiah’s life was forever changed that day in many ways. Some may say it was a tragedy, and yet he views it as a second chance at life and living that life to the fullest each day. His new fervor to serve Jesus is fresh and contagious.
Our hope is that our story will encourage you as you wade through your own trials and inspire you to read God’s Word and take it to heart in your daily living. It’s powerful!
About the Author
Ranae lives in Iowa with her best friend and husband, Randy. They have been married for almost 30 years. They have four beautiful children, two who are married and two at home yet. They have been blessed with two adorable grandchildren and they are a blessing! Ranae came to accept the work Jesus did for her on the cross at the age of twenty-five. Her life changed and she wanted to serve Him however He wanted. Ranae has been blessed to serve as a small group leader, puppeteer, marriage mentor and lobby host at her church. Ranae has been blessed to be able to homeschool their four children and operate her own photo studio. When they were launched into this great trial and did not know what the outcome would look like one thing they did know was that they were not alone. God has shown Himself to be faithful in so many different ways. He has strengthened their faith in taking Him at His Word. No one is immune from struggles in this life but we can take heart by knowing these are only momentary. Her prayer is that this would encourage you as you search the Scriptures to see for yourself that He is more than sufficient in all things. God bless you and encourage you in your own walk of faith.