I currently have more tears than words when I look at Jonah and think of the events that took place on Monday. Tears of thankfulness and shear amazement when I think of how taken care of Jonah and the Reynolds family was on that day and after.
- Jesus was with Jonah when he fell and knew that Jonah would break the majority of the bones in his face but be spared of neurological damage.
- Jesus guided him along a stream back down the mountain as Jonah strayed far from the trail in the time he can’t remember.
- Jesus kept Jonah awake during the hour-long trek down the mountain, nudging him to keep moving.
- Jesus placed the fly fisherman in the road to guide Jonah back to camp as he was very confused as to what direction camp was.
- Jesus placed a former crew boy close to the camp gate to grab the attention of a few crew boys who were in possession of a gator to transport Jonah back to the office at camp.
- Jesus placed the Sullivan twins who are not only best friends but are also nurses to start checking for a concussion and assessed Jonah while transportation to the hospital was being arranged.
- Jesus was in the car with Jonah, Emma (Sullivan twin and nurse), and my parents on the way to Big Timber.
- Jesus placed Emma in that car to be firm with Jonah to stay awake and continue assessing him so my mom and dad could focus on getting to the hospital and find some peace and rest in knowing they had a nurse with them.
- Jesus placed the helicopter pilot in Big Timber that day, someone who had grown up attending Clydehurst Christian Ranch. (neat!)
- Jesus placed friends as close as family to help comfort and encourage Jackson and I while we were at camp separated from my parents and Jonah. I cannot think of this without weeping, so much love was shown and Jackson and I are SO thankful!
- Jesus put friends of friends in the hospital to act as Jonah’s nurses once he was transported to Billings via helicopter. (neat!!)
- Jesus spoke peace into my heart on a day where my thoughts of ‘what if’ caused me to think of life without Jonah.
- Jesus orchestrated the timing of the accident so I didn’t have see Jonah at his worst, before they rushed to the hospital, after seeing pictures, it’s something I know I couldn’t have handled.
- Jesus urged my best friend to seek me out after the accident once everyone left and broke the news to me. Since there is such intimate friendship there she knew exactly what I needed and how to support me in such a scary time.
- Jesus placed compassion on new friends and camper’s hearts to encourage, pray, and engage Jackson and I when we weren’t capable of it.
- Jesus has replaced my idea of terror when Jonah was alone walking down the mountain to a vision of Jesus, Himself walking along patiently with Jonah encouraging him every step of the way.
My point is this: Jesus cares for and sees my family better than anyone, including myself. I’m not going to lie, on Monday when everything was happening and I was stuck at camp with Jackson and out of constant contact with my parents I had serious doubts about leaving for the World Race in 13 short days. Excuse me Lord, I almost lost my brother and you want me to LEAVE?! No!!! I have tears in my eyes every time I think of holding Jonah’s bruised face in my hands, kissing his forehead one last time for a year, but as I’ve reflected on this past week, God’s been showing me and reminding me of His amazing power. I was completely helpless on Monday. Jonah was ALONE when the accident happened. Jonah was ALONE when he walked for an hour off the trail following a stream down a mountain.
JONAH WAS ALONE.
But was he?
That list up there describing the times that Jesus was so present for Jonah, my parents, myself and Jackson has brought me SO much comfort.
The Father sees my family.
The Father cares for my family.
The Father’s timing is perfect, and no matter what happens he can be trusted.
Even if the unthinkable would have happened, God is still good and can still be trusted.
