Impractical Hope

Have you ever asked a question and regretted it the moment you received the answer? That would be a big fat yes for me. 

A Starting Point

While standing on God’s goodness, and praying for direction, I’ve been digging through my accumulated resources.  After three years as an active member of the traumatic brain injury community, my stack of  information is immense.  Some of it relevant and helpful, most of it not. But it’s a starting point as I consider next steps towards Ian’s future.

My first phone call was to Darcy, a friendly voice at QLI, a step down facility where Ian lived his last month of rehab before returning to Albuquerque.  Darcy remembered Ian and in less than a minute I attempted to catch her up on the past three years. He walks with a brace, limited use of his right hand, peripheral blindness, unable to problem solve or read well and no short term memory.  But…he’s adapted and adjusted to all of that, I explained.  It’s his stunted maturity that remains his biggest hurdle.  I wondered what options existed for brain injured adults who are eighty percent independent.  She marveled at Ian’s “wellness” and after some checking would call back.

My Fervent Prayer

I’ve prayed consistently and expectantly for both my kids since they were young. Lord, enable them to look beyond themselves with a heart to make their world a better place. And recently,  I’ve observed a pinprick of breakthrough for Ian. Admittedly, because of significant regression from his accident, my dream for adult readiness has been deflated. Even though he’s 24, I lack confidence that this glimpse of change is real and significant. Self-protection kicks in warning me to not get my hopes up until I can be sure, until I see more evidence.  And somehow praise seems risky.  Forgive me Lord.

Regretted Question

And then, I did it. Greedy for reassurance, I asked the regretted question. “When maturity is impacted by a traumatic brain injury, is that something that eventually comes back?  “No, not typically,” Darcy said in her annoyingly cheerful tone. 

With one harmless question, I dug myself a deep dark hole of disappointment. In that instant her words penetrated the layers of protection that took years to erect. Right, I thought to myself. Stupid question. I was foolish to get my hopes up in the first place. 

Where Dreams go to Die

Have you ever stood on a precipice while holding on to a thread of impractical hope?  You remind yourself that miracles still happen and God is faithful. But as you look out onto your bleak situation, you just can’t help it, your hope dims. This is the valley where dreams go to die.

Ever since I hung up the phone with Darcy, it is as if the Holy Spirit has been nagging me.  Pointed questions have revealed where I’ve gone astray.  

• Since when has Ian’s journey been typical?  
• Have you forgotten the Lord’s faithfulness and past miracles?
• Does your hope hang in the balance based upon what you can know and see? 

Evidence from Scripture

Remember the familiar story of David and Goliath? We learn from the text that David, while just a boy, guarded his dad’s sheep and had to fight off bears and lions. Turns out, those challenging skirmishes were preparing him for the battle of his life. A warrior was needed to fight the giant Goliath, and David volunteered.

Every small battle in the valley had equipped David. Over time, he had become a courageous young man who could raise his hand and say, “send me.”

The Hopeless Fight

Then, David did exactly what he had practiced and was familiar to him. He grabbed a few stones from the stream and placed them in his shepherd’s bag. In spite of how outrageous things seemed, he didn’t despair. Even though the wide-eyed Philistines thought it was a hopeless fight, David, trusted the Lord and confidently took on Goliath.

And we know how this preposterous story ends. Against all odds, Goliath falls, David wins and God got all the glory.

1 Samuel 17:47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s…”

YOUR battle is the Lord’s as well. It may look hopeless. In my case, maturity for someone with a severe brain injury is “untypical.”  But… I sense the Lord encouraging me to keep hoping, no matter how impractical. And whatever I do, He warns, “don’t trust your sight or understanding.”

In the end, isn’t that what faith is? Believing the Lord for a future we CANNOT see?

Hebrews 11:1 NIV. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. …

Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Now…

Reassured that I am adequately equipped, I’m back at doing what I know. I keep grabbing those stones and taking one more step. My hope has been restored. Now, when I look into the uncertain future, it’s hazy, but I can picture it. The giant falls and God gets all the glory.

Lord, could it be?

Out of respect for my handsome ginger I won’t share details except to say, Ian has recently exhibited a self awareness that I’ve never seen before; a hint of maturity. I’m shocked and delighted to hear him express a desire to become a better person.  Lord, could it be?

Faithful You have been.  Faithful You will be. 

As for me, I will always have hope;… (Psalm 71:4), Debbie Hucke