As you know, sometimes life doesn't seem to be fair, at least from our finite perspective. I could probably give you, who knows how many examples (and you could give me just as many, I am sure) but this one is on the front burner, so I thought I would share it with you.Mike & Will, aka the Crawley Boys (twins) grew up in Reynolds; albeit, a bit behind me (in years). If my memory serves me correctly, they will turn 53 in October. I knew their parents and I knew them well. Their Dad died years ago and so did their Mom, so they have had to really "be there" for each other for quite a number of years now. They have a sister, who lives away and a brother, who is retired from the military--a Colonel, I think--and now lives on St. Simons Island. Anyway, these twins are closer than anyone could imagine, having been through much adversity together and always supporting each other.
A while ago, Will got sick--really sick--and soon learned that he had a terrible liver problem that resulted from a genetic error (I forget the name of the disease) and would have died, had it not been for the grace of God. In the nick of time, he receive a liver transplant that miraculously saved his life. He has been doing great, even attending college, working on a degree in Business. Many prayers were answered for Will and he knows it and does not hesitate to give God the glory and credit for his healing.
Now for the "seemingly unfair" part of this story. On December 23 (I think it was), Mike learned that he has liver cancer. Mike has worked at the Medical Center of Central Georgia for more years than I can remember and in the process has covered every area from the ER to the Cath Lab (where he presently works). As you might imagine, every doctor and nurse in the entire hospital knows Hippo, so named for his size. Anyway, Mike was moved from Macon to Emory University Hospital a few days ago, hoping against hope to fine the correct therapy. Sadly, his doctor there told his family today that he is deteriorating very quickly. In other words, apart from a genuine miracle, Hippo's days on this earth are numbered; there is simply no such "animal" as good liver cancer!
From our vantage point, this seems unfair doesn't it? A strange story with an even stranger ending. Interestingly, Mike looked after his brother, Will, like a mother hen looks after her chicks, while he was sick and, thankfully, Will was restored to good health. Now, it is Will's turn to look after his brother but I am afraid that Mike's story won't end quite like Will's.
I love these two boys very much; we go back many years; I even preached their mother's funeral. I will never forget something she said to me before she died: "Mac, look out for the twins after I am gone." Sometimes people say things to you without thinking about the impact they might have and this might have been one of those. I can tell you this: I have never forgotten what she asked me to do, nor have I ever failed to be available for them when they needed me.
For some reason the words of that old, old hymn have been stirring around in my mind: I will make the darkness light before thee; what is wrong, I'll make it right before thee; all thy battles I will fight before thee; and the high places I'll bring down. When thy walkest by the way, I'll lead thee; on the fatness of the land, I'll feed thee; and a mansion in the sky, I'll deed thee; and the high places, I'll bring down.
Maybe I am just old fashioned, but those old hymns have a way of stirring faith in my soul, the kind of faith that causes me to believe that, even when life seems unfair (which is most of the time), He will make the darkness light not only before me, but also before those whom I love.
Trusting with all my heart,
Your Pastor
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