An Unlikely Resurrection
Several years ago I drove to western NY to surprise my mom for Easter weekend. Dad had died a few years earlier and I didn’t want her to be alone. When I arrived however, I knew immediately that something wasn’t right. I had never seen my mom so sick. She wasn’t even able to carry on a conversation, though she came downstairs to sit at the kitchen table with me.
Excusing herself, she said that she needed to go to bed and would hopefully feel better in the morning. If you knew my mom, you would know that she would need to be on death’s doorstep to not be cooking when her children or grandchildren came home. So I waited. Mom slept through the night. But the next morning she was worse.
It was Easter Sunday and the choices for medical help were minimal, so off to the hospital we went. After the initial examination and a CT scan, the doctor came to me with a sense of urgency and said that they were life-flighting my mom to a major hospital. The scan revealed a catastrophic brain hemorrhage that was life-threatening. It was doubtful that mom would survive the day, or the flight. I so wanted to see her one last time, to tell her how much I loved her.
When we arrived at the major hospital, mom was examined and I was told that she would not live long but could remain alive for two more weeks. The rest of the day was spent at mom’s bedside where she lay still in a coma. The only comfort I had was that mom was going to see Jesus soon and would also see dad. It would appear that today would be goodbye until I would see her again on the other side.
To complicate matters, I was supposed to fly out the next day to speak as the keynote speaker at a conference that started on Tuesday. Seeing that mom may remain in a coma for some time, I wondered whether I should fly out and speak and then return early the following day. I shared this with my family and unanimously, this was not looked upon favorably. Was I placing ministry above family again or was I taking up my cross and following Christ? My oldest son looked at me and said, “Dad, unless there’s a miracle, we need you here.” I smiled and agreed. This was not the time to place ministry above family but in my mind there was still one option left on the table—option miracle. When my son said that "unless there was a miracle," I thought, “Why not?”
It was now evening and the doctor never came back to mom’s room. We said goodnight to our three adult children and Deb and I stayed with mom through the night. The next morning I did not depart for my flight but was in contact with the folks at the conference. They were so gracious. They sent out a prayer request to their registered attendees and the throne of God began to be petitioned.
Monday was almost gone and mom was still sleeping. As the day was coming to a close, I thought about the first century Christians who gave up their lives to serve the Lord. Was I making the right decision by staying? Was I denying myself and taking up my cross? This was not an easy decision for me though most would think that my decision to stay with family should be an obvious and easy decision. This would be the first speaking engagement I would miss in thirty-five years and I wondered if me speaking at the conference would have led someone to Christ as their Savior? Hmm…but salvation is of the LORD, and thankfully, the peace that I needed, finally came to me. God was in control and if he wanted me to speak at this conference, he could perform a miracle.
Around 3 pm, they came and took mom to do another CAT scan. At 9pm Monday evening, the doctor final stepped into the room. We all stood around mom’s bedside listening intently to the surgeon. What he would say next would take our breath away. He looked at each of us solemnly and said, “Your mom is experiencing what we call in medical terms, a miraculous intervention!” We were in shock. He continued, “We will be releasing your mom in the morning and though she will be very tired for some time, she should recover completely.”
As I sit here writing, it is the day before Easter, now several years later. I can hear mom’s voice in the background as she stands cooking at the stove. Chicken soup for this evening and stuffed chicken for tomorrow, all in the making. Grandchildren, children and loved ones will be enjoying another Resurrection Day at Nonny’s house.
Oh, the homeschool conference? I received a phone call from the airline Monday evening telling me that my flight was rebooked for Tuesday morning and were sorry for any inconvenience. Apparently my early Monday flight had been canceled due to a mechanical issue and what I call, my miracle flight was scheduled for a 6 am Tuesday morning flight. I arrived at the conference 15 minutes before I was to speak. The miracle had arrived-just in time.
I will never forget this rare but real miracle. What was interesting about our family miracle was that it did not produce a sense of celebration. It left us all very contemplative and thankful but not celebratory. For me, the celebration was exchanged for a deeper dedication. I think I understand why. When Peter, for example, met Jesus after his resurrection, there wasn’t any celebration. In fact, I don’t see any celebration mentioned in the Bible after the resurrection. You would have thought that Jesus’s resurrection would have brought celebrations like the fourth of July.
The resurrection of Jesus is more about realization and recommitment. It is about coming face-to-face with death and then awakening to the reality of a new life with new responsibilities and new commitments. When Jesus sees Peter after the resurrection, he asks Peter if he really loves him…not just once, but three times. Note that there is no celebratory moments after the realization that Jesus rose from the dead. There are no high fives from the Apostles to Jesus that he beat death. The celebration spirit is being postponed. There is work to be done and heart issues to address. After Jesus's threefold questioning of Peter’s commitment, Jesus then tells Peter how he is going to die (John 21). So much for the celebration…now Peter has to face death. In Peter-like style, he diverts the attention from his own impending death toward the future fate of his friend John. Peter said (my paraphrase) “Um…Jesus, um…so you say I’m going to die but what about John? How will he die?” Jesus responds by saying, “If he lives until I return, what is that to you? You follow me.” Post-resurrection Jesus is dealing with heart issues, commitment, and focus. The celebration will need to be postponed for another time. For now, for Peter, for me, and for all, there is work yet to be done.
In the words of C.T. Studd:
Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say ’twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
