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Sunday, May 15, 2011

Can you be pissed at God?

This event, starting in November of 2010, has shaken my faith to the core.  It has always been said that we mere mortals cannot see the divine wisdom of the Creator.  Why are there earthquakes and tsunamis that kill thousands or tornadoes that devastate entire communities?  Why make an innocent infant with half a heart then kill half his brain?  What divine wisdom is that?  Why make people suffer?
When I first learned about Jacob's condition, I was pissed; pissed at God.  Why did you do this to an infant?  What has he ever done?  I remained angry for quite some time.  After Christina and I came to terms with the prospect of raising a child that has a serious cardiac issue, I came to terms with my feelings towards God.  His life was a gift to us.  If he lived three days, three months or three years - it is all a gift to us.  I had to focus on what we were given; the hand we were dealt.  There was no point pondering the "what ifs".  There was only the "what is" so deal with it and move on.  We couldn't just dwell on the negatives - we had to find the positives and exploit them.
What kind of positives are there in something like this?  Here is what I've termed as positive and in no certain order:
I have met world class doctors, nurses and other staff that treat patients and their parents with genuine care.
I have seen the depths of despair and the ecstasy of parenthood.
I have seen the true value of good friends and the good nature of total strangers.
I have seen a strength in myself and my wife that I never thought possible (honestly, I thought I'd be a puddle of goo by now.)
Is this the true nature of faith?  Do horrible things have to happen to bring out the good in people?  Maybe, maybe not.  I think that the good is always there, but it needs a catalyst to release it.
Maybe the old cliche that God works in mysterious ways it true.  If all of this had not happened, would I appreciate my friends and family as much?  Is there a Butterfly Effect that effects all of the people in Jacobs life as well as those in mine?
I have seen, as you may have, the "invisible family", the one with the kid in the wheelchair or the one with the deaf child.  I have always turned away from them because I have felt sorry for them and that it was impolite to stare.  I know now that I may very well become that invisible family.  I do not feel ashamed or embarrassed.  I welcome stares and questions.  Jacob is my son and I will be proud of him whatever becomes of him.  He will never be 100%, whatever that means, but he is part of me.
How can I stay pissed at God?  The saying is true that life is a journey and not a destination.  God has made me take roads I never wanted to take.  Now that I am on this road, I have to make the best of it.  Sometimes I actually feel that I am somewhat lucky for being on the road less traveled.  I will have experiences that others will never have.  Life is all about the experiences.  I guess I'm on this road for a reason.  The trouble is I have no idea where this road will take me.  Care to walk with me?

1 comment:

  1. If there is anything we can do you fou, please let us know. I am keeping you all in my prayers, and my sister and her church have been praying for Jacob as well. Dyan

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