God's Help In Time of Pain

My uncle Arcadio Cruz, Jr. in his final days.

I want to say a special thank you to many of you who responded to our need for prayer support.  March 2^nd and 3^rd were especially difficult days.  On these dates my mother and cousins called upon me to conduct a funeral service for my uncle Arcadio Cruz Jr. who passed away on February 26^th.  My uncle had been in nursing home for eight years following a stroke, and had spent the last two years in a state of dementia.  Although his passing was not unexpected, it was still very hard on all of us.  I wish I could say that the funeral was the most difficult part of these two days. During the final service we received a phone call that my 91 year old grandmother was having chest pains and difficulty breathing.  My stepfather Daniel immediately left the funeral home to check on grandma, but on his way out he twisted his foot going down the stairs, breaking a small bone on the side of his foot.  Even though he was in pain, he made it home and immediately called 911 when he saw grandma’s condition.  During the burial we received the phone call that grandma was being rushed to the emergency room and that Daniel was limping in pain.  As you can imagine this was not the news I needed while trying to suppress my personal grief over my uncle’s loss and conduct his burial.  Immediately after saying some final words and leading everyone in a prayer, my mother and I jumped in a car and rushed to the hospital where we feared the worst.  During this drive all I could pray in my heart was “please, Lord, not grandma too. We can’t take two deaths in one day.”

 



My Grandmother Carmelita &
My Stepfather Daniel Acosta

It was at this time that the Lord began to break through, and show us that He was still God and in control of all things.  While my mom and I ran to be at grandma’s bedside, my stepfather Daniel stayed in the waiting room with ice on his foot.  In his own state of grief and pain, Daniel started talking to a man sitting next to him.  At the conclusion of their chat the man looked at Daniel and said “I would like to accept Christ as my savior.” At that very second Daniel’s pastor walks in to greet them, and Daniel said to his pastor “Can you pray with this man? He would like to accept Jesus into his heart.”  This whole scene was witnessed by another Christian in the waiting room who went to Daniel and began to minster words of encouragement and prophesy over him.  As I write this I’m simply overwhelmed by how good God is to us in our time of trial.  He sent two strangers. One who allowed Daniel the joy of ministering to him, and another to comfort and console him.  All this was happening in front of other family members who sat in awe of what God was doing in the waiting area of an emergency room. Because of your prayers, my grandmother and Daniel are recovering. They are both living examples of God amazing grace.

  

I’m reminded of what Hebrews 4:15-16 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  No matter how intense his suffering or pain Jesus remained faithful in his mission during all his time here on Earth.  Even on the cross He still took time to help a loss person find paradise. I find more and more that living in God’s kingdom means that I serve Him no matter what I’m going on.  And when the trials seem overwhelming, I allow His loving embrace to carry me through.  It should be our highest joy to serve such a loving God.  Please continue praying for my grandmother (Carmelita), my cousins, my mom and Daniel. We are all still in the process of mourning and healing.