X the SPARK

In the last 48 hours we have been blessed beyond measure, encouraged to no end, prayed for with fervor, and heard some amazing stories. Xander has come along nicely since his surgery, while he is still on a very strong dose of anti-epileptic medicine, I am cautiously optimistic that he will not fall into that 14%. I have been going through in my head plans of how to handle different scenarios that may take place, if I do not do this, I will not have direction when the time comes. I am holding onto that hope, sometimes I feel like I am more grasping for it. When those times come I am always encouraged by you, our family, whether by blood or not.

I am, very simply put, amazed; God has been using our sweet child to light a spark in the hearts of men. He has been burning and stirring the heart of his people to move in one accord. Let me clarify something about when I say his people, I mean his people, of all denominations. I grew up going to Four-Square and Assemblies of God churches, and now we have been attending a Christian Non-Denominational Church for almost the last year. I do not believe for one moment, nor could you ever convince me, that only one branch of those many denominations, Protestant or Catholic, are going to heaven. God reaches his people in every single one of them; the e-mails, texts, on-line conversations and phone calls I have received over the last week are proof of that.

I have had numerous people tell me that because of our current situation they have prayed more now than in years, in some cases EVER! I have received encouragement from people that have absolutely no ties to us and some that have some ties to us, but have never met us. I know of Catholics, Lutherans, Methodist, Assemblies of God, Four-Square, Presbyterian, and Non-Denom. that are praying for X; I am sure there are other too. Last night I was told of an absolutely incredible story; I do not want to do it injustice so I hope someone can post/comment on it, but I will tell you the story in a few words. Two people who were praying for Xander met after a pastor prayed for X, they go to the same church, and did not know they were praying for the same boy.

A while ago in another post “Divine Preparation” I wrote down what I thought God was telling me, I wrote “So undeserving is the family of Strong Towers, and yet I (God) love them, bless them, and allow them to fall, never abandoning them. I (God) never leave them so the wolves may devour them; I (God) set them high on a hill for all to see.” At the time I thought it was more about how God allows us to fall but does not abandon us (much like a Dad/Mom teaching their child to ride a bike). Looking at it now I can see the “set them high on a hill for all to see” part. I can see how X has been the spark God is using to draw himself near to those who he has called. I think that is amazing, our boy at 5 years old is reaching more people by just being himself, and then I did in 4 years in the Ministry. His life speaks for itself.

Now some comment on how great we are and I appreciate that, I really do; but I think most of the people we know would do the same thing. Trust me, Sarah and I feel the same way about you guys. We have had so much help from all of you, family and friends laying aside their lives, whether for a few minutes to pray, or days to help out. If it was not for you we would be in a padded room talking to the tiny monkeys holding the door shut (I have had time to think about this). I am not one that should be thought of as a great person, trust me I get too mad sometimes, I curse at work (working on that), and I say stupid things: I am one of those that God has drawn closer to because of Xander. I am not a great person, I am a man who loves God, I love God and I love my family; If Yoda was real and I met him he would say “Great are you not, blessed you are”. I am not a big Star Wars guy, but I just processed that thought in his voice, very weird.

I want to say one more thing that may have been lost or forgotten about since I posted it very briefly in the very first post. There are several reason I started this (read the first post if you want to know), but there was another “Spark” that led me to move. That “Spark” was/is a 10 year old girl named “Hannah” who went through something very similar to our X. Her parents had/have a site much like ours that walked you through their progress; they, much like us love God and serve him, so reading their journey encouraged us and I wanted to follow suit. We have never met that little girl, although I think if she knew I was calling her little I would be corrected, but she will never know how I appreciate her strength and her parents being open. Together Xander and Hannah are being used to touch lives across the Globe, two children not mega star super pastors, I love that. I am not sure of Hannah’s current condition, but I ask that all of you say a prayer for her too. I will probably never meet the Turners until we get to the other side, but when I do I am going to hug Hannah first, then her parents.

X had a long night last night, he stayed up till 2; I think he was happy to be able to see. They are trying not to do Oxycodone, only Tylenol; overall he is doing well. I should be able to post again later today on our conversation with the neuro team, his progress, and any other news. As always thank you for your prayers, God is listening.