Revelation 2:14-16
But our homeland is in heaven,
where our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is; and we are looking forward
to his return from there. When he comes back, he will take these dying
bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using
the same mighty power that he will use to conquer all else everywhere.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
December 11, 2007, is a
date I remember vividly. A few of you who have followed my daily
devotionals for many years know that several years ago, I learned of a
little boy from Bigelow, Arkansas - Job McCully - who totally stole my
heart. Job was diagnosed in July 2002 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
(ALL). He was four. He underwent chemotherapy…and radiation…in
preparation for a bone marrow transplant.
During Job’s hospital
stays, his family was incredibly supportive…his parents, Rob and
Tina…big sister Nicole, Aunt Tammy – and his maternal grandmother,
Glenda, who had lived with Job’s family since he was born. One night as
Glenda lay with Job, he asked her to stay close to him. Then Job said,
"Don't cry for me grandma". She wasn't crying or sad at the time and
probably did not understand why Job said this. But over the next
several years, there would be plenty of times when tears flowed - for
both Job and his grandmother.
Job received a bone
marrow transplant in October 2002. During his hospital stay, Grandma
Glenda was often with him as a caregiver…and she was a source of
strength for everyone. In 2003, Job battled RSV pneumonia, the flu, and
Broncholitios Obliterans, which caused his lungs to deteriorate…and he
was hospitalized many times. Grandma Glenda was always there with his
parents to offer care and support. Then in 2006, Grandma Glenda was
diagnosed with breast cancer. Her philosophy was [paraphrasing]…”if Job
can endure all of these treatments, so can I”. And she did.
Job
was hospitalized pretty much all of the year 2007…first at Arkansas
Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, then in Houston…and finally in St.
Louis. By September 2007, it did not look like this little guy – now
all of nine years – would make it. The doctors encouraged Job’s mother
to sign a DNR – Do Not Resucitate – order. They explained how dire
Job’s situation was, and that there was not much left for them to do.
Tina McCully wrote in Job’s *CaringBridge journal…”They wanted me to
sign it. Anyway, I just stood there and listened to them, smiled and
said thank you, and walked away. The only way I'm signing that paper is
if God Himself tells me to, and He's not going to do that because He is
too busy HEALING JOB.” And God did heal Job.
On December 11,
2007, Job McCully received a double lung transplant. And on February 21,
2008 – the one-year anniversary of his hospitalization, Job was
released. The family stayed in the St. Louis area for a few days to
make sure that all was well. In early March, the McCully family came
home to a “hero’s welcome” in Bigelow, Arkansas - complete with a
parade! In the months and years since then, Job has survived
histoplasmosis, CMV, Adenovirus, and diabetes. For his 16th birthday in
May 2014, he received a shiny, new red pickup truck. Job is now
enjoying his junior year of high school life.
Grandma Glenda
survived breast cancer…but the beast returned in her kidneys. And in
the last few weeks, she was hospitalized once again. Doctors gave her
six months to live two days ago…and God called her home this morning.
This remarkable woman can now fully attest that “our homeland is
Heaven”…because I am sure that she is there!
If you visit Job’s
CaringBridge page and read the posts, you will see that this family
walks in some of the most powerful faith I have ever witnessed.
Whatever challenges or devastating news they have been given, their
trust in Jesus remains strong. They never doubted His presence…and they
have clung to His promises. And I know that this will not change now.
There
will be times when God heals us on this earth…and times when we are
given glorious bodies for all Eternity. Our job is to never doubt His
mighty power and presence in all circumstances. The McCullys
demonstrate this beautifully…and I have been incredibly inspired and
encouraged by their faith and discipleship. I can only hope that I
represent Jesus even half as well.
What about you? Do you trust
in the mighty power of God in all situations and circumstances? Are
you able to say, “the only way I’m going to do XYZ is if GOD tells me
to”? Do you confidence in God’s presence in your life…and His ability
to manage anything and everything? Don’t you want to?
Please
pray for the McCully family in the days to come…and for others who are
sick, suffering, and grieving the passing of loved ones. Thank God for
His amazing power and presence…His compassion, mercy, and healing. And
ask God to give you the ability to recognize His presence in your life
on an hourly basis… to walk in His wisdom and care - always and in all
ways.
©2015 Debbie Robus
*http://caringbridgeclassic.org/ar/job/index.htm
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