The week before Christmas one of my dear friends' young son was rushed to the hospital. He was there for days, along with my friend and her husband, as doctors figured out what was causing his pain and then took steps to ease it. She shared updates on Facebook faithfully, asking us to pray and giving us reports from cautious, compassionate doctors. My friend's son recovered from his sudden illness and they eventually returned home for a belated Christmas. I smiled as I saw pictures of their better-late-than-never celebration and knew they must feel such relief after tense, frightening days spent in the hospital.
Just days after Christmas another friend's husband was admitted to the hospital. Another sudden illness. More compassionate, concerned doctors. But this time, the patient didn't return home. Much to my (and everyone's) shock and deep sadness, he passed away a few days ago. As I re-read both friends' Facebook updates about their hospital stays, I remembered some of my own visits to hospitals.
I remembered settling into more than one waiting room as grandparents stopped fighting and began fading. I recalled, in a blurry way, the days my oldest daughter lived in the NICU and I recovered down the hall. I remembered waiting for doctor's updates and playing the sometimes literal, sometimes figurative game of telephone to make sure everyone heard the latest news. I remembered the relief of a waited-for discharge, and I remembered the weight of a final prognosis. Prayers, tears, laughter, reminiscing, letting go of that breath we'd all been holding, holding each other, falling to our knees, hiding our faces — all these things came to mind, in a jumble, as I thought about my friends' recent days.
But most of all, I remembered how God was with us.
God was with us when my brother-in-law was in a fatal motorcycle accident, as we waited to hear the doctor's news, to say a final goodbye, to tell other loved ones what had happened. And He was with us when my granny lay in her bed, and the cousins gathered with photos and stories and snacks, unsure of the proper way to behave but certain we wanted to be together. God was with us when my baby girl was declared healthy and strong, when my second baby was announced a girl, when my father-in-law was finally healed and released from the room in which he'd been treated for weeks.
And God was with my friends when they received good news and bad, when they heard answers and when they faced silence, when they felt crushed by grief and buoyed by relief. God was there. He was with them.
Last month we sang, "O come, o come, Emmanuel," as we prepared to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the physical God-man who came to live with us, to walk beside us, to be with us. But God isn't just with us at Christmas. He remains with us all year long, through every season.
God is with us on Christmas Day, sure; but He's also with us every day. He's with us on the good days and the horrible days, the terrifying days and the amazing days, the scary days and the boring days. He's with us every day.
God is with us when the phone rings in the middle of the night and when the phone doesn't ring at all. He's with us when we watch the news or overhear the conversation or open the mail. He's with us when the pain is unbearable, when the truth is unfathomable, when we are determined not to sleep because it will all still be true when we wake. God is with us when we are limp with shock, weak with grief, too devastated to talk or move or even, sometimes, cry.
Sometimes when we pray, when we beg God for answers or healing or provision or repentance, it seems as if His answer is "no." Even when we know that answer may actually be "not yet" or "not this way," the pain of this world can be brutal and impossible to bear. But even when the answers are not what we so desperately want, God is still with us. He may not give us our earthly desires, but He never walks away. He stays. He is with us.
My friend Sara Frankl heard God's "no" many times during her short life. Plagued by a terminal illness and chronic pain, she was eventually left home-bound and, frequently, alone. Unable to leave her home or escape her broken body, she had every human right to resent her situation, to call it a prison, to really soak in her solitude.
Instead, she turned to the God she knew never left her side. She leaned on Him, knowing that no matter His answers, His arms were always firmly around her. She faced the hard reality of her illness and her life, but still she said . . .
She knew that no matter what, God is with us. And in these post-Christmas days I am reminded that no matter the season, God is with us. Wherever we go, whatever we face, God is with us.
He is with us. He is with YOU.
What are you facing today? Are you seeking answers or relief or healing or strength? Have you received the news, the diagnosis, the announcement that left you feeling lost? You are not in this alone. God is with you. Whether this year brings you something brilliant and beautiful or something traumatic and devastating, God will be with you. He will hold you and comfort you and stand with you.
God is with you. God is with us all.
Mary is a writer and speaker who lives for good books, spicy queso, and television marathons – but lives because of God's grace. She writes about giving up on perfect and finding truth in unexpected places at MaryCarver.com. Mary and her husband live in Kansas City with their two daughters.
I love your friend, Sara's attitude…"If this is where I am then this is where God is too…" What a poignant reminder that no matter where we find ourselves…God is right there with us. He has also promised that His grace is sufficient for whatever we are going through. He doesn't give His grace when we imagine the worst, only when we walk through the worst do we experience that deep abiding presence and His grace to put one foot in front of the other. I can say, confidently, that God has always been there for me. He has been true to His Word and never forsaken me. He has walked with me through deep valleys, but He has never left me stuck. He has walked me THROUGH to the other side. And when a thorn has remained in my side…He gives me grace for that too. Thank you for this reminder that God is always, always there/here with us in whatever we are facing.
Mary write a beautiful book detailing Sara's incredible outlook in the face of crippling pain and an increasingly poor prognosis. It's called "Choose Joy," and it's lovely.
I am getting ready to attend the Home Going Services for a college student who tragically lost her life driving after her last class before the Christmas holidays. It goes without saying that the waves of grief keep washing over her family making them feel as if they are drowning. Their numbness and yes even pain keeps them from feeling God's presence, yet He is there. Thank you for sending me on my way with the full knowledge that God is indeed with us.
To both you Mary and to you Bev, well put well said. I pray that these words touch those who are hurting today, those who have lost a loved one or those praying for survival. God is with us, God will see us through to the other side. The other side of pain or the other side of this world. God is truly with us and for that, I am utterly thankful.
Sometimes the words just don't come.
Joining with you, Marjorie, in this prayer. God is faithful to see us through…claiming His promises for those who are hurting and words just won't come.
Mary, this is a wonderful reminder of God's presence — so good to know that we never go through anything alone, no matter how hot the fire or how deep the water.
Thank you! Exactly what I needed to hear this morning. Its been a rather trying week and one top of that my chronic illness is flared up. Thank you for the reminder that God is always with us.
Thank you for this precious reminder that God is always with us. He is with us in the good times and the not so good times. He loves us and we are truly blessed by His love.
I too love this very much! Thank you for the reminder that God is ALWAYS with us no matter what. I needed to hear this today. I need to believe this everyday!
YES, Emmanuel, God With Us. We have to fight to keep this truth before us always. It is very hard though when life happens. Thank you for this sweet reminder.
I shared this on facebook because I believe May people need to hear this today. This is really a great post. Thank you for sharing it.
Many people are dealing with so many trials including me and we all need to be reminded that He is with us.
I wrote this quote in my journal, shared the post on FB, and text it to other friends. So perfect for me and so true. When I look back God has always been with me, from my birth and near death, through divorce, through the death of my husband, through loss of jobs, through financial struggles, through dealing with others addictions, and my own eye issues. He never fails! My Good Shepherd goes before me, preparing the way, watching over me, walking beside me, carrying me when necessary. I am so blessed today and I rejoice in His goodness and grace. thank you for sharing this with us all. May God bless your day and your gifts used for Him.
I was reading John 4 today as part of the SRT study on John – this chapter includes the story of the woman at the well. Something that really struck me was that Jesus did no chase the woman. He simply met her in a place where she came every day. Her routine. Her responsibility. Mundane, daily work. Jesus came there.
But he also met her in a place of desperation. Of pain. Of shame. In meeting her in her "here, now" he also met her in her darkest places.
It is so comforting that God will meet us and be with us anywhere, in any season. Good or bad. Dry or abundant. Dark or light. Lonely or redeemed. He is still God and he is still good – and he is with us, always. Amen! Thank you for these beautiful words today!
Not sure how I found you today but I am so thankful that I did. Thank you for encouraging words!
A beautifully written reminder. Its so easy to forget about God when the pain of the world rears its ugly head. At least it is for me. Your words are timely and so appropriate for me today!
The timing of this post is, of course, perfect. My husband and I left our home at Thanksgiving to be hospice care for my father-in-law in his home, 9 hours away. It is both a beautiful and a painful time. It is stressful. And I sometimes feel helpless and lost. But I am not, because I have God with us.
He is here, He is with my daughter back home at her doctor's appointment today, to discuss the mass they discovered in her abdomen. He holds us, holds her even when I cannot. I have peace because He brought it and continually brings it.
Thank you for bringing it, from Him, to me yet again, through your obedience to Him in writing.
Thank-you Mary for the touching reminder, "He Is with Us", so comforting. I will be forever grateful for the countless times He's been there for me.
Prayers for your friend, I'm so sorry to hear of her loss.
Emmanuel, God with us. I understand that we often feel we need to beg things from God. But we are not orphans, all we have to do is ask. I pray for these grieving people that God will give them a clear path over come it.
Sometimes I think grief and suffering are like the Footprints in the Sand poem where the author writes that in the worst times,even though it didn't seem that way at the time, God carries us. Yes, God is with us.
Thank you for sharing the experiences you have gone through and reminding us that God is with us, no matter what we are going through in life. I have suffered with depression (as does one of my sisters) and have lost both my parents (who decided that suicide was the only way out) and it's difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel; but I have to trust God, as He is sovereign and as long as we can put our trust in Him and not let the enemy take over our thoughts with negativity – we can pull through. I have a loving husband he is supportive, and I thank God for that!
God is so gracious, and frugal. He NEVER wastes our pain or challenges. Just as we are reassured in knowing He is always with us, we can also take comfort in knowing hurt helps us, or others, to grow. Thank you for your candor and encouragement.
Thanks Mary for such timely words. 'God with Us' has been the recurring theme in my life these past few months, dealing with illnesses and diagnoses and recovery and prognosis for my sister and I. But through it all, He is still faithful, giving gentle whispers reminding me of His presence.
Like you said, "Sometimes when we pray, when we beg God for answers or healing or provision or repentance, it seems as if His answer is "no." Even when we know that answer may actually be "not yet" or "not this way," the pain of this world can be brutal and impossible to bear. But even when the answers are not what we so desperately want, God is still with us. He may not give us our earthly desires, but He never walks away. He stays. He is with us".
Beautiful reminder that Emmanuel isn't for a season, but for a lifetime. So blessed…so grateful for His faithful presence.
Thanks for sharing, Mary. ((hug)) Happy New Year!
Such true words! Each Christmas, at my church, during Advent, we sing a simple little chorus called Emmanuel. A few of the words are: Emmanuel, Emmanuel, His Name is called Emmanuel. God with us, revealed in us, His name is called Emmanuel. I cherish this chorus and find it so comforting that I asked that we sing it at my Mother's funeral service in2007, even though she died on Good Friday that year and was buried the day after Easter. To me, these are timeless words of comfort, that God is always with us. Thank you for your beautiful post.
I have been through some rough times lately, and yet always God was there to see me through. There were times it felt like He wasn't there and didn't hear my prayers. All the while I knew He was there answering them in His way! This post reminded me of a song by Matthew West "Day After Christmas". It states simply that even though Christmas is over the Light of the World is still here.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! This could not be written more beautifully or come at a better time. Just opened my email this morning to news that one of my oldest and dearest friends' cancer has returned. This lifted my heart and was a lovely reminder of what I know about God and His great love.
Mary, this is beautiful and powerful. I know you don't write these words lightly. There is something faith-building about hearing someone who has experienced hard things say that God is with us. Thankful for your words.
Thank you Mary my heart needed to hear this today.
He is with us and He is sufficient; which happens to be my oneword2017. Lovely post. Visiting from H*W today.
What if you feel like you have made some decisions that would cause God not to be with you?