I really thought the Lord woke me up this morning to pray for Caroline, so I did.
Now, I feel a peace that's hard to describe. But, I feel he wants me to try, so here goes.
There's a little girl in a Hospital in uptown Charlotte that's been born into a wonderful loving family. And, after just a few days on earth we learn that she has so many problems.
Will she live? Will these Doctors and Nurses be able to use their skills to save this little girls life? Will her little body be strong enough to survive this surgery? How many more surgeries will be required? How can this fragile little girl over come all these obstacles?
Over the past week, as a parent, I've asked myself what I know you've asked yourself many more times than me, why?
Why did this happen to this little girl? How many babies were born on that same day that are now home and living a normal little baby life?
Just think, last Monday morning just before daybreak you all were about to awaken to go to the hospital for the birth of little Caroline. A normal day. A normal birth. A day filled with all the things that people always say at this time.
But, there was nothing normal about this day or this birth. Or, this little girl named Caroline Jackson.
I sent out a prayer request to over 250 people when I heard the news of her struggles. With that prayer chain and with all the other Christian people that you all know in your church, there must now be thousands of people that have prayed for Caroline.
Would so many people have been praying for this little girl and your family if she been through a normal birth and first week of life?
Probably not.
Why is she so special? Why is this really happening? If we could fast forward about 25 years we may be able to see, she and her mom getting ready for that special wedding day. Moms and daughters thinking of all the different ways to spend money on that day and dads thinking of how difficult that money was to save and how much better it could be spent.................
And then there's big sister telling what she would do differently if she had her time to go over again. And mom and dad just thinking how different things are now from when they were married so many, many years ago.
All Caroline has to remind her of the first few months of life on this earth is a scar.
So we ask ourselves again, why?
Michael, I have no idea what the Lord is doing in your family right now. But what I do know is, he's given you and Tanner another special little girl. And most probably, she will have no memory of the first challenges that she ever faced in this life. And we all pray that she'll have no physical reminders either, other than a scar.
As I look back over my Bible I remember that the Lord spoke to Joseph in a dream. He spoke to Moses through a cloud. And he spoke to Paul through a burning bush. He sent Angels to speak to Mary. And now, he's sent Caroline to speak to you.
It's my prayer now, that somehow over the next few days and weeks you'll be able to spend some time with the Lord to hear what he's saying.
You and I are the earthy fathers that the Lord has trusted with these children. We don't always have all the answers and we don't always do the right things but we always have access to the heavenly father. He does know and he will speak to us if we listen.
The lord did not promise us that this life would be easy, but he did promise us that we would win in the end. I pray now for you and your family, especially Caroline.
Help us Lord to feel a little of that victory now. Strengthen and bless this little girl so she can achieve all that you have sent her to achieve. Comfort her mom, dad, and sister with the peace that only you can provide. Give the rest of us the words to share and help us to know when to share them and when just to be a silent partner. Thank you Lord for the privilege of coming to you in prayer. AMEN
Your brother in Christ, friend and neighbor,
Phil Campbell, Charlotte NC
