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Even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid. (Matthew 10:30-31)
He looked so small and helpless lying face up in that hospital bed. The crisp, laundered sheets covered his little body, and I could barely see his face peering over them. His big brown eyes, wide with fear, took in every detail of these unfamiliar surroundings—unknown medical staff moving about in all directions, machines beeping, intimidating technology everywhere he looked.
“Mommy,” Jonathan whispered, “I’m feeling all better now. Look, I can hear you just fine. Try me.”
It was his one last attempt to escape the inevitable. Months of planning and careful hearing evaluations had all led to this very moment.
“I’m glad you’re feeling and hearing better today, Jonathan, but we have to take care of this now, before there is any severe damage to your inner ear,” I responded.
The last glimmer of hope drained from my son’s face. He covered his face with the sheet and began to cry—soft, muffled sobs that resounded like thunder in my heart. He was scheduled for a simple outpatient procedure that we hoped would alleviate the effects of many ear infections and major hearing loss. But to this frightened ten-year-old, it might as well have been major heart surgery. I leaned over and held him close for what seemed like an eternity.
“I’m scared, Mommy,” he mumbled. “I’m really, really scared.”
“I know, Jonathan, but it’s going to be okay. It really is. You’re not alone, sweetie. God is always with you, and he is with you right now. You have to believe it in your heart.”
He wiped away the tears and sat up in bed. “Mom, will you tell me a story?” he asked.
“Jonathan,” I replied, “I’ll do better than that.” I reached down into my purse and pulled out an old, worn pocket Bible that my mother had given me many years before. “Let’s see what the Lord has to say to us today.”
I randomly opened my little book, not knowing what I was going to read but praying that the Holy Spirit would guide me as he had so many times before. I opened up to Matthew 10: 29-31. “Listen to this, Jonathan. God is speaking to you:
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
His eyes perked up as his face broke out in a crooked little grin. “That’s funny, Mom. He counted every hair on my head?”
“Every single one. God knows you and loves you better than anyone ever could, and he’ll never abandon you.” We laughed and joked as we tried counting hairs on each other’s heads.
As we sat together on his bed, a nurse came in to let us know it was almost time to go into surgery. “But first the anesthesiologist would like to speak to you.” I felt my son’s body tense up next to me, and I hugged him a little tighter.
A few minutes later, a totally unexpected answer to a child’s desperate fear walked through the door. The anesthesiologist had a familiar face. It was Joey’s dad! Joey was Jonathan’s friend from his basketball team.
“Jonathan, what are you doing here?” he asked. Jonathan explained, and then admitted to being “a little afraid” of the impending surgery. Joey’s dad smiled as he leaned in close and said, “Don’t be afraid, Jonathan. I’m not going to leave your side for one minute. Okay, buddy? You’re going to be all right!” At that, Jonathan’s eyes lit up, and every trace of fear disappeared. The two continued to chatter nonstop about basketball until it was time to go into surgery.
“Bye, Mom, I’ll see you later!” Jonathan waved. I blew him a kiss and smiled as I watched him go.
I walked down the corridor to the waiting area, my emotions surging within me. Once again, I had been humbled by the power of God’s love. Not only had God spoken to us—an ordinary mother and child—through his sacred word, but he had also sent us a human, tangible sign of his never-faltering faithfulness. That day, “Do not be afraid, I am with you always” was etched into our hearts in an unforgettable way.
*A pseudonym has been used at the author’s request.
Mahalo for YOUr grace & hope filled article
This sunday morning I woke up filled with such fear and hopelessness#%^*
Then I read YOUr gentle reminder” Do not be afraid, I am with you Always”
I am more Hopeful again*** +++
Bless YOU for sharing YOUr Son’s experience+++ for this older man of 67 was helped by it also!