Then on Monday, March 16, 2009, all of us back home were horrified as the news spread of a crash on the slopes, and one of our sisters in critical condition. 15 year old Jessie is now fighting for her life in Grand Junction, Colorado, after sustaining serious wounds to the head. The skiiers came back in shock, and the rest of us weren't far behind.
For me it's a time of frustration and anger. Frustration because she's far away fighting for life, and all I can do is pray for her. Anger because every time these groups go to ski, they come back injured and broken. Besides Jessie, other injuries included a torn ACL, a damaged knee, a punctured abdomen, and numerous others, not including one terrible back injury last year.
It can't be worth it - no matter what you say, it can't be worth it when teenagers are coming home in ambulances.
These times are reminiscent of Colin Phillips' accident and the death of Rachel Barger in 2005. I am however much closer to Jessie than I was to either Colin or Rachel.
In all of these crises, the amount of confusion and aprehension are only surpassed by the incredible power of the body of Christ coming together when one of our sisters has fallen down. There are now more than 1800 [see footnote] members in a Facebook group created for her, with hundreds joining every day. Emergency prayer vigils have been organized, and the power behind this network is startling.
The speed with which FaceBook and group texting spreads news and updates is also startling.
God WILL be glorified, whatever the outcome. If Jessie makes a full recovery in two weeks, we will praise Him for His miraculous healing power. If Jessie continues to fight this battle for years to come, or worse, we will praise him for the beautiful girl we all knew, for His guidance and presence throughout, and perhaps we will be able to show our savior to the world in the process.
He has not and will never abandon our Jessie. He loves her more than any one of us. Maybe he misses her so much that he has planned to bring her home to stay, and maybe he has much more for her to do here on earth. Either way she is in the capable and perfect hands of a great and mighty God.
God didn't promise days without pain,
laughter without sorrow,
sun without rain,
But he did promise strength for the day,
comfort for the tears,
and light for the way.
Edit: As of 3-21-09, the FaceBook group has 3,155 members
As of 3-23-09, 5,008 members
As of 3-25-09, 5,807 members
As of 3-27-09, 6,487
As of 4-1-09, 7,380
2 comments:
I actually had though of Colin in connection to Jessie, even though I never met him.
I like that poem, did you write it, or, if not, who wrote it?
~Ellentia
I'm not sure who wrote it, it wasn't me
~JCP
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