Update and Miracles

After the events of last week, we are mighty grateful 'round these parts. On Thursday, our computer started showing signs of some technical difficulties which later proved to be a virus. Soon after, the virus shut down our Internet and made access to our files nearly impossible. While this situation would ALWAYS be distressing, after Bennett's death, a sick computer containing nearly all the pictures and video from his life is about enough to cause a heart attack. But - thanks to the help of a good friend - all is well and we are working diligently to back up all our files along with subscribing to an online back up service. In situations such as this, you can never be too careful. We are grateful for the tender mercies that made this miracle possible.

In other news, I have been thinking a lot about miracles lately. Since Bennett's death, it seems that I hear about miracle healings and prayers being answered at every turn. While some of these stories are comforting, some cause some questioning within my soul. Why wasn't I prompted to check on my son during the night? Why couldn't I have resuscitated him? Why couldn't the doctors find anything wrong with his body? Was our faith not sufficient to heal and save our son?

I know. Tough, tough questions.

However, yesterday in church, the Lord - knowing the questions of my heart - gave me a gift. And it came in the form of a quote. A quote from a man I love and adore and consider to be a Man of God. It reads as follows:

When someone has an ailment or an illness and they are healed as the result of a blessing, their faith is being strengthened. But for those who aren’t healed but continue faithful, their faith is being perfected. The first is a faith-promoting experience. The second is faith-perfecting.

(Neal A. Maxwell)

Wow. How true it is.

Now - to be honest - I was fine with the "faith strengthening" experiences I was having before Bennett's death. I believed in God, His love and His mercy and did my best to follow my Savior's path and teachings. And yet, a Loving Father in Heaven saw a better way. A way I would have not chosen. But a way that - in the end - will be Perfect for His Daughter and her little family.

And so we walk this path of "faith perfecting." It is tough, to be sure. But I need to depend on my Father in Heaven and His plan in an entirely different way now that we have "a dog in the fight." This is not general. This is poignant, personal and quite specific. We WILL be with our Bennett again. There is no other option. And we know that God has provided a way. His way. And so we bow our heads, gird up our loins and follow Him.

And that is the greatest miracle of all.