I know this whole blog is a tribute to Uncle John and all that he has come through these past months. However, this post is a special tribute to not only what he has accomplished, but to the person that he is and has always been. My hope is that this tribute can give Uncle John a sense of peace as he embarks on this new chapter in his journey. I hope this helps to remind him that he has a very important purpose in this life. This journey has affected the lives of hundreds of people, and I hope others can relate to my tribute, as well.
Uncle John,
As you leave the hospital for the first time in two months, I feel compelled to share something with you. I choose to make my tribute public because of how faithful many people have become in following your story......so here it is.
February 4th not only changed your life, but it changed the lives of so many across the country, especially mine. My view on God, faith, and prayer changed drastically after that night! Before that fateful night, I was living my life on my own terms. I strongly believed I had complete control over the way my life turned out. I thought by simply being a good person that would be enough! I thought that I could go through life without God because I did not feel worthy of His love, and so I drifted away...further and further away as I grew up. Like many people out there I have been praying day in and day out for a miracle in my life so that I would know God was real. What I didn't realized until now was that He was always present, but in my own selfishness I chose to not be open to Him.
You, on the other hand, through EVERYTHING, both good and bad in your life always KNEW God was real. It seemed like the more stressful life got, the more your faith deepended. I remember after that night, Aunt Maureen told me for the past year every single day you went to mass and prayed for a miracle. Although, this is not what you had in mind, you have taken the hand you have been dealt and still remain deeply indebted to God. Your family has shared how awesome you have been in taking this 'new life' and fully accepting it as God's plan.
After that night, i kept replaying that evening through my mind and I really can't explain it, but something changed in me. I know without a doubt that I was not in that room with you by my self. I know that Aunt Maureen was not alone, and I now you were most definitely not alone. I know that someone bigger than myself was present that night. I did not hear a voice or see a shadow, but I felt something very strong. I still do not feel worthy of God's love, but I no longer feel quilt or shame in coming to Him when I need Him. You have showed me that it is not what you do in your life that makes you worthy of God...it is simply how capable you are of opening your heart to Him and believing in His power.
I know this is YOUR story, but Your story has become MY story in how my faith began! I thank-you from the bottom of my heart for praying for that miracle! What I hope you realize is that your life is the miracle, at least it is the miracle in my life! I am so thankful to have you as an uncle, and I can't wait to see you in the presence of your home and can't wait to hug you! You really are my hero, and as you have said before God took a look at the story of your life and said 'I am not done with him yet'! Good luck, stay strong, and keep on believing!
Feel free to continue to leave encouraging comments, and please leave your own tribute to John and how he has changed your life. As I have said this is his story, and I want it to continue when he is at home.
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I have been following your progress by way of this wonderful blog site. My prayers have been with you and your family every day and I'm pleased to know they, along with everyone else's prayers, have been answered. This family is awesome and an inspiration to all. May God take you all to heights yet unknown as you begin to journey together with a renewed spirit and outlook on what every new day will now be like. Keep well.
ReplyDeleteCindy Selby
Malachi3:3says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
ReplyDeleteThis verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'
He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy --when I can see my image in it.'