For days we prayed for Arie, a child whose body was wracked by a deadly blood disorder. a disease that was diagnosed when he seemed healthy and well. The parents were heartbroken at the news of this disastrous illness, that had descended like a blight on their darling boy . Sparing no expense, they rushed him to the best hospital, they gave him the very best of treatment, they garnered the help of family and friends in prayer support, as they left no stone unturned to find healing for their son .
Day after day they sat in the hospital room, taking turns the mother and father, sitting by the bed, watching their baby boy in pain . Praying without ceasing for healing, praying for a miracle, for deliverance from suffering, for their little child. Not giving up hope, not acknowledging this could be the end, they strove to snatch him back from the clutches of death. And when they saw babies in adjoining beds getting well, leaving to go home, their hope knew no bounds, believing it would be their son next .
The mother was pregnant with his baby sister who Arie longed to meet and play with, but little did he know that life would play a cruel trick and he would leave the land of the living, on the day she was born. The mother weeping,found little joy or comfort in the life growing within. The father stoically watched his beloved son wasting away but his faith still strong, he trusted his baby would make it through. When the whispers of woe were loud sometimes, he still ignored them and didn’t give up till the very end .
The community of family and friends rallied behind them, supporting in everything, praying together in unison, sure that the Heavens would show mercy and God Almighty would spare little Arie. But God in His wisdom, had another plan, a plan most painful, which He had formulated, set in motion even before we were knitted in the womb. On the day the mother was wheeled in to deliver her second baby, God called Arie, relieved him of his pain and struggle, and took him from this earth to be by His side .
That, there, was the miracle ! After a long and weary fight, it was a release for the suffering child, for the parents a new baby born to fill their arms as they relinquished their darling boy, to death . The pain was devastating, as they bid Arie goodbye, the joy was bitter sweet as they welcomed their baby girl and if I were of another faith, I would say his soul was reborn, in a fair exchange . I pray the Lord wraps His loving arms around Arie’s parents, to comfort and strengthen them as they walk through the dark valley of death, holding on to the light of the new born baby .
Mary Jacob 