I Believe!

Part Fifteen

The next morning, David, Mike and Bidemi held hands around the breakfast table and bowed their heads as David prayed. A prayer of faith, hope, love, trust, family and thankfulness.

“Amen.” They chorused as he finished.

Solemnly, breakfast continued. Milk, sugar, jam, toast and the rest being passed around. This wasn’t the kind of peace that came with loss or pain but the kind that came with a new understanding, a new knowledge.

Bidemi could feel it in her bones. The Lord was really doing something wonderful in this family and she was so excited to be part of it. She looked at Michael and smiled as she passed him the butter for his bread.

There was peace and quiet but not because they lacked what to say. On the other hand, it seemed all of them were bursting with words but unsure on how to express themselves and were just simply content digesting everything. Sure Jim and Sara were both still in critical situations but finally, it seemed, everyone was coming to understand that God is in control and you can’t rush Him, you just have to trust. Faith is the keyword.

David sat by Jim’s bed in the hospital, his head resting in his clasped hands. This posture somehow felt more familiar to him than anything else these days.

Bidemi walked in, Michael close behind her. They had been talking to Dr. Mfonido. Bidemi was smiling, as usual.

David opened his palms and raised a shoulder in a ‘what’s up’ gesture.

“Doc thinks the end is near. His body is still rejecting treatment.” Michael clasped a hand on David’s shoulder.

David took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “How much time do we have?”

“A few weeks. At most.”

Just then, David’s phone buzzed. He brought it out of his pocket and smiled. A message from Sharon. He grinned, she had sent three this time.

'I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust’. Ps.91:2

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than trust in humans. Ps. 118:8

They will have no fear of bad news; because their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Ps 112:7

How appropriate. David looked at Bidemi and Michael who were now sitting on the other side of the bed, his eyes sparkling with an understanding that could only come from above. Bidemi was holding Jim’s hand.

“Listen to these Bible verses.” He read the 3 verses out loud and while he read, Michael leaned his head back against the back of the chair, Bidemi’s hand clasped lightly in his and laying on his lap, absorbing the Word. Bidemi had a look of peace on her face. Truly, bad news shouldn’t shake God’s people and what is man’s wisdom compared to God’s? God is definitely a refuge and fortress to those who trust in Him. So, why not?

Michael smiled and somehow, the room felt lighter, everything seemed better.

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Later that day, David sat across from Michael and Bidemi in the hospital cafeteria.

Outside, the sun had set long ago and the quiet of the early night had settled on the hospital. Right now, Jim and Sara were being moved to share a room. Afterwards, they could go and see them then maybe retire for the night themselves.

A quote Sharon had sent him a few days ago came to mind, 'We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or we can rejoice because thorn bushes have roses'.

Just like a glass half full or half empty situation. That was deep!

David watched as Bidemi dragged a hand across her face and Michael drew her to himself with his arm across her shoulder.