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Saturday, December 25, 2010

The Christmas Miracle

I wasn't really sure about this Christmas. Perhaps that's why I've been silent this month. It's hard to read everyone's blogs about the happiness, celebrations, and traditions of Christmas when my own heart has been breaking, worrying, wishing, and praying. My brother's one wish was to come home from the hospital, be around his family, and maybe share this Christmas in a familiar, loving place. When every breath is a painful, exhausting struggle for him, it is so hard for me. . .to the point I wish I could just exchange places. . .

My sister and I are so far away, but Skype has brought our family so close together. We can all sit and talk together, cry together. . . or like last night, sing together.

I wasn't sure about last night -- in fact, I don't think I'm sure about anything. It was so hard for my sister and me to see Ton coughing and struggling for every breath -- harder still to see my sister, brother, and nephew tend to him with such tender love and care. Being Christmas Eve and the first time all 5 of us siblings have ever been "together" as adults on Christmas, we began to sing. Singing was central in our family when growing up. We sang in the car, sang around the old piano, sang around camp fires, sang as we did the dishes, and even san ourselves to sleep. So there we were, late on Christmas Eve when most of the world was wrapping it up for the night, we were just getting started. We sang through the hymnbook, sang all the choruses we learned in DVBS. Didn't matter how we sounded. Didn't matter if we had the words right. Didn't matter if we cried or laughed. What mattered is that Tony loved every single moment of it all. It went on forever. And I'm sure the the angels listened in wonder and amazement as one little family celebrated Christmas together through the internet. The cookoo clock struck midnight and we realized we had sung in Christmas. . . the day my brother wanted so badly to see. We all prayed together and I went to bed exhausted.

I could not sleep. The words to hymns and Bible verses raced through my heart and I wondered if my brother was sleeping. I prayed. I prayed for a Christmas Miracle. The strange thing was, I had no specific miracle in mind. I had no idea what to ask for. I only knew I wanted the Lord to be so very close to Tony through those early hours of this Christmas Day. Over and over I prayed the same vague prayer. . .

And God heard. Does He not always hear the cries of His children????

The news this morning was that Tony is doing so much better, talking, and wanting to sit up. He slept well last night, was so thrilled with our "party" last night, remembered all of it, and is just so happy that we could all be together that way.

Tony's pastor had mentioned to him something about the final week of Christ's life and following in His footsteps, so Tony has been listening to readings of Scripture relating to this. Just so happened (do things really "just so happen????"), I found Max Lucado's book, "And the Angels Were Silent," a beautiful book about the last week of the life of Jesus. I downloaded it to my Kindle (free for your PC), and have been reading nonstop. I just can't put it down.

Somehow, I believe the angels were silent last night as the Lord leaned over and listened to one little family sing His praises with hearts that were heavy and joyful and everything inbetween. Somewhere in the depths of my heart, I know He sat by my brother's bed through the early hours of the morning.

Miracles? They come wrapped in strange packages and tucked away where we almost miss them. I got mine. . . and the strange thing is, I don't even know what it is.
Yes I do! It's peace. A heart full of peace. And Tony? His miracle today is another heart full of hugs from those who love him more than he can ever know.

Merry Christmas, Tony! The Lord has worked miracles through you into our family that has changed us all for eternity! And the angels thought it would never happen, I'm sure, and are silent today at the wonder of it all!!!!!

13 comments:

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

What a beautiful post and so touching, bring tears of joy to my heart on how God does answer prayer. He does give us peace in the darkest of times. I am living proof and am here to yell it from the rooftops. He have you all a family time via the internet, HOW awesome is that. That was a Halmark moment to be sure and oh what memories. The angels were singing with you all and the lord was smiling. Thank the lord for the internet to where he can bring families together to praise is son Jesus.

SO thrilled you had this time with your family and GOD's Peace.

Prayers for your Tony too. Praying God will continue as well to send you his peace.

LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE...GOD'S GRACE said...

Touched by your words...family is truly important and to think you were able to "spend it" with yours..

God is so good...

Praying for you and your family.

Merry Christmas and God's Blessings to all!

~Beth

Ladybug said...

What a touching beautiful post
awesome you had this time with
your family The Lord is so good

Prayers for your brother Tony
and courage and strength for
you...

Peace of Lord be all around you
in comforting you...

Blessings
Trish

Patty Sumner said...

You did get to have a family celebration after all. How wonderful! I am so glad that you were able to experience this together. God is good and knows just what we need just at the right time. What a blessing the internet was for your family last night. Blessings to you and yours!

Primitives By The Light of The Moon said...

Miracles do come in all sorts of ways! So glad you and your family had this special time to celebrate together.

Nancy M. said...

I am so glad y'all were able to be "together" like that! What a wonderful time for him and you all! Glad you got your Christmas Miracle! HUGS!

Renna said...

What a beautiful way you have with words, Cora, that you are able to bring your reader right into the midst of the pain and joy of a family we'll likely never know this side of heaven. My heart feels both heavy and full for you. God is good.

Denise said...

What a beautiful story and it warms my heart.. What a moment for you and your family.. I love the joy and the spirit of Christmas but I also hold tight to the promise that it brings.. He came to save us and he knew when he came that it would cost him his life..... Yet he came anyway........ He gives us life... What a gift....... all the other blessings in our life is just icing on the cake.....

Happy New year to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Hi Aunt Cora, this is the most beautiful and the most sadest blog ever. I am so deeply touched by your writing. Uncle Tony is loved so very much by his entire family.

Aleida

•♦•©The Olde Weeping Cedar •♦• said...

Hi Cora,
I saw you over on Linda's blog and wanted to stop by to see how you're doin...and to Wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year. It's been a very long time since Ive stopped in for a visit.
I wish you many more peacefilled moments and miracles in the new year and beyond!
TCG.

Nana Jul said...

Cora,
Thank you for stopping by today, and for praying for Connie!
The Lord is Elroi...the God who sees me, and for you and your family He was there Christmas eve!
May you see many more miracles this coming new year..and Give Him all the glory!
Julie

*Linda Pinda* said...

Thank you for sharing this, Cora. Such a beautiful testimony to family, faith... Love.

Those are the moments for which I am thankful the internet exists.

May God continue to wrap you all in His peace and love.

Farmhouse Blessings said...

Cora, I'm just left with a little lump in my throat. I know that our Savior is holding you and your precious family in the palm of His hand tendering loving you and carrying you through the difficult times.

We love you!