Four years ago, my husband collapsed from a severe stroke. He underwent brain surgery, a tracheostomy, and needed a ventilator. He was in a coma and would get countless spasms in a day. That happened two weeks before Easter. I remember vividly singing and praying over him, hoping that he would open his eyes. My favorite song that comforted me during that challenging time was “In Christ Alone”:
“In Christ alone, my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ, I stand.”
One morning, as I walked through the hospital corridor towards the ICU, tears blurring my vision, I asked God to send me a sign that He was there for us and that He would not forsake us. As I got into the ICU and walked to my husband’s bed, there was an instant downpour, as if the sky was crying with me. Then my husband suddenly opened his left eye! He looked at me, unable to move or talk, but his gaze seemed to tell me he was still there and fighting. I believe that was the sign and the glimmer of hope that God meant for me that day.
“Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave, He rose again…”
As I sang the song to him, the lyrics gave me hope that maybe on Easter Day, there will be a breakthrough, a miracle, a sudden revival. I anticipated Easter, but Easter came and went, and nothing major happened.
Four years later, Easter is coming again. My husband is still bedridden, but my hope and faith still abound in Christ. It has been a long struggle and a slow road to recovery, but God’s grace has never left us.
“No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ, I’ll stand.”
We don’t know what the future has in store for us, but as long as we have the breath of life in us, we will never give up on fighting the good fight.
Easter is a good reminder to set our eyes on what Christ did for us on the cross. He suffered for us to offer us salvation. He ransomed us with His precious blood. There is no better role model than Jesus, our God, our savior, and friend.
“This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ, I live.”
May your hope and faith overflow in Christ, and may He give you grace and life in abundance.
Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!
(Written by a sister in Christ and a friend of the My Little LambTM family)
Photo credits:
- Photo of woman praying: Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
- Photo of woman in the field: Image: Freepik.com (jcomp)
- Photo of the cross: Photo by Thanti Nguyen on Unsplash
