This is an post from a dear friend who has and continues to suffer the heartache of illness in her family. So often she has said the words, “He is near,” to me, and we wanted to share her story.

“He is near,” Jesus. Emmanuel. God with us. So much comfort in the middle of turmoil. 3 of my 4 kids have been diagnosed with a form of muscular dystrophy, with our son, Seth, progressing rapidly. This kid that was once very athletic and physically strong is atrophying. My 6ft tall [almost] 16 year old is entering into conversations about mobility and accessibility all while desiring to play just one more season of baseball. And I’m balancing the other 3. 2 more mild diagnoses and the sweetest little brother who’s healthy and feeling the weight of survivor’s guilt. (And there’s a dear friend of our daughter with cancer, foster care drama [trauma], church care and needs, friends struggling…. you get it)… And thru this Jesus. Reaching in. Telling me that He’s near. God knows exactly what it’s like to watch your son suffer. Jesus sits in the grief of the path ahead. He feels the sadness and heaviness. There is purpose and goodness ahead, I know. There is even purpose and goodness in the middle, even though, honestly, it’s hard to find sometimes. Everyone has their hard. But what I’m learning in ours? He. Is. Near.

-Christy

“When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for YOU ARE WITH ME.” Psalm 23:4