Hope when all is hopeless

We hear all the time to believe in miracles. Many of us have heard "miraculous" stories and believe that miracles still happen today. The bible tells us to pray for healing, to ask for miracles. This past week we have done exactly that. I have learned what it means to pray without ceasing. I have seen teenagers and young adults praying earnestly, trusting God for a miracle. I have seen the doctors deliver the most hopeless of news and family and friends continuing to have hope because their hope was not in what the doctors said but in the hands of the Almighty God. I have seen the family release Ian into his Heavenly Father's hands and say, "Not my will, but yours be done," praying for healing, and trusting the Lord, regardless of the outcome.

This week we have witnessed a miracle. Ian was given a few hours to live and he has survived. The doctors said his brain was dying and yet he has new brain activity. He still has a very long road ahead of him and is not out of danger yet, but the Lord has shown us that He is the one in control.

If you are going through a trial today, know that the Lord is very much alive and aware of what you are going through. Cry out to Him and ask Him for help. He hears your prayers. Be encouraged as you read this update on Ian. Remember that just one day ago the family was preparing for a funeral because they were told there was no hope; there was nothing else the doctors could do. There is ALWAYS hope in the Lord. He can do ALL things.

Ian's injuries are extensive and severe, and he’s in critical but stable condition. He has a severe head injury. A vertebra is broken (C7). His right knee is severely broken. Those are the most critical injuries that require immediate attention. In addition he has two broken arms which have not been set yet due to the severity of his other injuries. In addition there are a variety of breaks, cuts, and bruises. His vital organs (e.g. heart, lungs, kidney, etc.) are all functioning normally, and, in fact, with the exception of some minor problems with his lungs, all are strong. His face somehow is relatively unscathed; even his teeth are all intact.

Ian continues to struggle for life. He’s definitely not out of the woods. He is stable enough for the doctors to consider operating on the most critical of his other injuries, i.e. his vertebra and his knee. He’s going in for an MRI today to determine the extent of the injury to his vertebra. At this point, tomorrow afternoon, they’re planning to do surgery to repair both his vertebra and his knee; the surgery is expected to take about 6 hours assuming all goes well and that their strategy is appropriate for the injuries.

Please continue to pray for Ian's healing, strength for Ian's family and girlfriend, and wisdom for his doctors.