A Jon Post
Javan came in last night. What a joy and a privilege to have our good friend and brother join us here, be a part of our ministry, see our lives and share our Thanksgiving day this week. I went to the airport last night to pick him up. I was pretty giddy with anticipation. He is our first visitor and has been my best friend for many years. I really cannot express how much joy I had in my heart last night as I anticipated Javan joining me in my life, even for just the few days he’s here.
We took him to the Oncology ward with us today. Smiles, hugs, children and friends running around, eager to meet our good friend and try out any English phrase they may know.
And then it all changed.
Marcelino… dear, precious, 13-year-old Marcelino… is dying.
Last Friday, he was walking around, laughing, enjoying a new ultrasound image of Anaya, and all around getting better. Today was much different. Today he lay in a dirty hospital bed, deliriously moaning and holding the side of his head in tremendous pain. Today he could not muster the strength to get out of bed to go to the bathroom. Today… Marcelino’s weary body teeters upon the cusp of eternity. The pain in his body is the last thread that holds him to it.
This morning, I laughed, I praised God, I thanked Him for His blessings in my life.
This afternoon, I cried, I praised God, I thanked Him for Marcelino… and asked Him to take my friend quickly.
How fast it changes here. How quickly the joy of life is tempered by the sting and victory of the grave.
How fast it changes.
I am sad. I wish I knew what else to say.
. . .my eyes filled with tears as I read about Macelino. . . I believe that you and Layne have been rightly placed. . . you know how to revel in “joy” and to weep in “sadness”. . . may the Lord continue to be your strength and your vision. . .
Lord Jesus, have mercy. On Marcelino. On my friends Jon and Layne. And Javan. Thank you that they do not grieve alone.
Oh our Lord Jesus,
We come to you and ask for you comfort sweet Marcelino. Lord be with him in a way that provides peace and comfort and no more pain. Whether that be here or in heaven with You.
I too thank the Lord that you don’t have to grieve alone. God’s ways are higher than ours and His plans perfect. We trust You Lord.
We trust You.
And this Thanksgiving will definately have a whole new meaning. His goodness to us is far far more than we deserve. Thank you for being a vessel that we can see and be reminded of the true blessings we have and to get us out of our selfish and pitiful complaints we think we have. Lord break our hearts. Cause us to interecede for those who don’t have the strength to.
Yes because of Marcelino, we are being changed…..the lives you and Layne touch and allow us here to be touched by are vessels of God Himself. Praise You, Jesus! You are being glorified. Marcelino has brought You glory, Lord :)
Thank you for letting us know a little of Marcelino, it was a joy to hear of his quiet smile. I praise God you got to know him and show him love, even if only briefly..