There are moments in life that are never forgotten. A family "surprise". The notification of cancer. The perfect vacation. An accident. A wedding. You find out more about yourself by how you react, receive, respond than you otherwise would. These moments change you forever, and they teach you valuable lessons about life, love, and most of all, G-D.
The story I'm about to tell you isn't mine, necessarily. I was a part of it, but honestly, it's my sister's and dad's story. It happened on July 26th.
Well, really it began a few days earlier, when my sister's husband felt a slight fever. He called to let my sister (her name is Amber Joy) know that he wasn't feeling great, but after initial testing, everything looked like it might be fine.
Then Saturday, July 26th, came.
He called again. My sister left the dining room where many of my family had gathered to take the call. My sister was alone in another room when my dad received her text a few minutes later.
All the text said was, "Daddy".
Dad knew. That was all she needed to say. The worst news was confirmed. My sister's husband, Dr. Kent Brantly, had tested positive for the Ebola virus. Our lives would never be the same.
I've learned a lot about prayer since that moment. I learned that intercessory prayer may be the most powerful form of prayer, as large numbers of people fell on their knees before G-D on behalf of my family that week. They prayed for us even when we couldn't find the strength ourselves.
Kent was diagnosed on a Saturday, and fought for his life the rest of that week, especially. During that same week, my son was born on Tuesday, and my brother anticipated his wedding on Saturday. It was already a big week for my family; with Kent fighting for his life during the same moments, it was overwhelming how much we needed to know others were standing in that gap, praying for us. Because sometimes you don't have the strength or even the words to utter any kind of prayer on your own.
And I learned that the dearest and most heartfelt prayers are sometimes the shortest; one-word prayers like, "Daddy".
The story I'm about to tell you isn't mine, necessarily. I was a part of it, but honestly, it's my sister's and dad's story. It happened on July 26th.
Well, really it began a few days earlier, when my sister's husband felt a slight fever. He called to let my sister (her name is Amber Joy) know that he wasn't feeling great, but after initial testing, everything looked like it might be fine.
Then Saturday, July 26th, came.
He called again. My sister left the dining room where many of my family had gathered to take the call. My sister was alone in another room when my dad received her text a few minutes later.
All the text said was, "Daddy".
Dad knew. That was all she needed to say. The worst news was confirmed. My sister's husband, Dr. Kent Brantly, had tested positive for the Ebola virus. Our lives would never be the same.
I've learned a lot about prayer since that moment. I learned that intercessory prayer may be the most powerful form of prayer, as large numbers of people fell on their knees before G-D on behalf of my family that week. They prayed for us even when we couldn't find the strength ourselves.
Kent was diagnosed on a Saturday, and fought for his life the rest of that week, especially. During that same week, my son was born on Tuesday, and my brother anticipated his wedding on Saturday. It was already a big week for my family; with Kent fighting for his life during the same moments, it was overwhelming how much we needed to know others were standing in that gap, praying for us. Because sometimes you don't have the strength or even the words to utter any kind of prayer on your own.
And I learned that the dearest and most heartfelt prayers are sometimes the shortest; one-word prayers like, "Daddy".
In the midst of this holiday season, when emotions and life-changing events can often overwhelm, may the word that my sister uttered to my dad echo in your own heart. May G-D be as near to you as my dad was to my sister. May you know that our G-D shares your emotions and is with you in your joy, sorrow, and tears. My sister said she'd never seen my dad cry like he did that day. And she needed someone to cry with in those moments.
We need to pray for each other in our times of need. We need to stand in that gap for young mothers at their wits end, grieving friends and family, and so many others in the midst of their trails and in their joys.
And remember, when we struggle for words in prayer, sometimes all we need to say is "Daddy".
We need to pray for each other in our times of need. We need to stand in that gap for young mothers at their wits end, grieving friends and family, and so many others in the midst of their trails and in their joys.
And remember, when we struggle for words in prayer, sometimes all we need to say is "Daddy".
