Seeing God's Grace Through Suffering...

I should have written the title in the form of a question cause I'm really asking more than making an observation.

Almost nine months ago, a close friend rushed her son into the ER and he is still struggling to live.

Raymond, my friends son, will be 8 years old in June. He is a walking miracle, literally! The doctors recommended ending his life while he was still in the womb due to a heart defect they detected. My friend, Helen, loves and trusts the Lord with all her heart. There was no hesitation on what she should do because she knew that anything was possible for her God.

From the very beginning Raymond beat the odds and amazed doctors who thought he would not live. Every bench mark doctors said he would not meet, he did and exceeded many of them!



Raymond started first grade this year and people were already drawn to this sweet boy with half a heart, who at 7 years old, already had an amazing testimony of God's sovereignty and grace!



Several weeks into the school year, Raymond contracted H1N1 which turned into pneumonia. This took a toll on his body and his health quickly spiraled and he was placed on life support.

Being the miracle that he is, he came off life support and eventually was able to go home. This hopeful situation was short lived and Raymond was soon back in the hospital.

As I type this, Raymond and Helen are preparing to be transported to Motts Children's Hospital in Michigan. Medically speaking, Michigan is his last chance. Raymond desperately needs a heart transplant to recover. Duke denied him for the procedure due to his deteriorating health but Michigan wants to evaluate him to see if they can get him on a donor list.

I know God is sovereign and merciful, I am reminded of this everyday in my walk with Him, but I am struggling to see his mercy in this.

I can see how He's used Raymond to draw so many to Him! Thousands of people have been touched by his story and I've heard from dozens of people that "they typically don't pray, but they are praying for Raymond." I just am dying inside because here is a boy that I have watched grow, who is my daughters age, and he may loose this battle! And my friend, the burden I carry for her suffering right now is so heavy that I physically hurt at times. How do I encourage her? What do I say or do? I feel helpless and recently, hopeless.



Don't get me wrong, I'm not questioning God and His plan for anyone, I just don't know how much more of this any of us can endure.