There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved. It is God’s finger on man’s shoulder.
This reflection attributed to Playwright Charles Morgan, brings a soul-warming smile this day.
I was not smiling those several weeks back at Christmastime upon learning my twenty-seven-year-old grandson was being wheeled off to surgery. T.J. would soon be left without a colon. The culprit – advanced Crohn’s Disease.
The procedure complete, T.J.’s body then faced a string of bewildering, daunting and very worrisome hurdles. The hospital’s I.C.U., his new address. Seven weeks into the journey, T.J. and his (rock star companion) wife Ashley are breathing a bit more easily. This week’s physician report thankfully signals a turn for the better.*
The expressions of love directed toward T.J. and to our whole family certainly did not come as a full surprise. Many readers of this column can relate.
A number of those praying and caring supporters cheering us on are people already near and dear in our lives. Still, the parade of well-wishers, friends and acquaintances, shoring up our feeble faith through their voices and their unrelenting praying seemed at times super-human. Indeed , the Divine element is irrefutable – his strong presence.
Our brother-in-Christ and past co-laborer Pastor Wangombe in Africa – adds his voice to many of our international student friends, past and present, “It is war; and in all these things we are more than conquerors through Christ our Lord”.
South Asia friend, Raj, chimes in, “Amen, rock on TJ and team. PTL”!
Smiles, indeed.
*further update: T.J. is out of hospital. With family, gaining strength
©2025 Jerry Lout
Thank the Lord. Will continue praying for TJ for a rapid and full recovery.
Holden from the Tunisian Sahara