There was stupendous news yesterday from Austin Krueger’s surgery to reconstruct his skull. He awakened from the surgery very much like the old Austin before all of this happened- his voice back to normal – his personality so much more vibrant – like the Old Austin in so many ways. Apparently the doctors now think that Austin has been in one of his “episodes” since his initial collapse in June- Kleine-Levin Sleep Syndrome episodes which he has been experiencing since the age of 15 – in which he has almost no energy or focus. Very likely he has been in one of those episodes and that has had something to do with his symptoms. Just seeing more of the vibrant Austin we all know and love has been so tremendously encouraging to his family and close friends – and it has also left his caregivers absolutely stunned. There is much work that remains in terms of reversing certain effects from the initial stroke (if that’s the proper term for whatever befell him six weeks ago) but this is a monumental step in the right direction. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Sadly, yesterday was also a day in which we found out that a very nice young man from church – age 30, with a young wife, about to begin an exciting new job in St. Louis – almost certainly has MS. It’s a devastating blow and it’s the kind of thing that makes life look like a scary walk through a dark forest, with unexpected misfortunes lurking around every bend. Prayers are going up for this young man and his family, who have to be feeling so bewildered and overwhelmed to be facing this at a moment which should be only joyful and full of promise.
We just don’t know what’s next – – – none of us do – – – and to really face up to that is tremendously humbling. We are small and ultimately rather helpless beings in this vast universe. But in the midst of our most profound helplessness and vulnerability, we are embraced by God and blessed with his tender mercies. I think of Paul’s words from II Corinthians, when he says how he prayed to be released from his “thorn” – some sort of physical impairment or condition which he never really identifies for us – but that God ultimately said no to those prayers and allowed the thorn to remain. But Paul says that he is thankful now for the thorn because it causes him to turn to God for strength in a way that he never would otherwise. And now he is thankful for any and all of the ways in which he is need of God’s help, because “ when I am weak, I find strength in God; “the less I have, the more I depend upon God.” Important words to live by – and very tough words to live by, as well.
pictured: an image of Austin from choir tour, spring ’07, provided by Jamie Wilson