Sunday's Sermon: Our Unexpected Journey with Nolan

Our new family photo!

This morning Jonathan plans to preach about Nolan's first two weeks of life.  When he told me his plans for this Sunday, I began to wonder how he would articulate in a 20-minute sermon of our emotions, grief, prayers, & JOY of the 14-day roller-coaster we experienced with Nolan.  My prayers for today - God's Holy Spirit is present, God uses Jonathan's words for His glory, & that others sense God's peace & comfort in their unexpected adventures of life. 

The scripture text for this morning, Mark 9:23-24,²³Jesus said to him, ‘If you are able!—All things can be done for the one who believes.’ ²⁴Immediately the father of the child cried out,^* ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’   

A blurb from Jonathan's August newsletter article - 

During those 10 days my faith was not strong and my resolve tested by hearing the words “puzzling mass” “pediatric urologist” “specialist” “tumor” and “surgery on your newborn in less than a week”.  I was shaken to my very core about all the really big questions in life- evil, faith, pain and suffering of the innocent.  As I asked myself those questions, I was left painstakingly void of any answer, and yet I still clung to this verse.  At moments when I wondered if God was even listening to the multitude of prayers being lifted I still prayed, “Lord, I do believe; help my unbelief.”

It was not a brave prayer nor a proud prayer, but the only one that kept coming to me.  I’m not certain the lesson, but I felt the experience of ones faith (or lack of faith) powerful enough to share because it is true and it is my story.  My prayer is that this story might help you better understand your experience and your faith journey.

Will you spend time this Sabbath morning to pray for your pastor as he/she delivers a message? As a minister's wife, I see 'the other side' of a preacher's Sunday morning.  I am appreciative of all who pray for Jonathan, truly asking for God's spirit to be present in the worship.  My prayer is that our story will help others reflect on their faith journey & pray, "Lord, I do believe; help me in my unbelief."