Peace

Hello! This is the post that should have been posted on Friday. But it's being posted today. Even though it's the first day of my sophomore year of college.

That last point was actually kind of relevant.

So, let me tell you a story. 

A man had lived through a lot of trials. He had lost almost everything. But his son was going to be a father. So that was okay.

But it wasn't.

See, this man's daughter-in-law had a genetic defect that would cause the baby to have cystic fibrosis. If the baby made it past childbirth, it would not make it to it's first birthday. The doctors were already beginning to talk to the daughter-in-law about the possibility of abortion.

The doctors asked to take a genetic sample of the man's son. If the genetics were "right", if they could counteract the genetics of the daughter-in-law, then the baby might, just might, be able to survive.

It was the last hope the family had.

The son was tested, and the family waited anxiously for the results.

On the day that the son and his wife returned to the doctor for the news, the man quietly watched his wife leave. But he stopped her at the door. "Can we pray?"

The man's wife nodded, joining him on the bed. They wept as the cried out to God in earnest. They prayed for their son, his wife, and the baby.

But most of all, they prayed for peace in the storm they were currently riding through.

They comforted each other for a long time. The man kept praying, even after his wife left for work.

Then the call came.

The son's genes were perfect. Because of some Jewish heritage, his genes were able to cancel out the possibility of cystic fibrosis. The baby was going to be healthy and live a full life span.

"Dad," the son said, choking a bit on his words, "I'm going to be a father. I'm going to have a beautiful baby girl."

"That's great, son." The father smiled.

"But, Dad. We got an ultrasound today. And in one of the pictures, the baby was making a peace sign with her fingers.

A perfect peace sign."




How is this relevant to my first day of school? The man in the story? He's my art professor. He began his semester with a profession of faith. Of courage. Of peace.

This story really comforted me today. I hope it may have the same effect on you, whoever you are, and what storm you are facing.