Triumph in Tragedy or What a little bear can do!
By Patsy Shannon, 5th February 2016
„Nevertheless, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us,“
Romans 8, 37 Jubilee Bible 2000
“Jesus said to her, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’“ ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to him, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes
John 11, 24 - 26
On December 16th 2015, I received a phone call from Konica (my stepdaughter), who said she had received a phone call at the major hospital where she works. She was told that Micah (her 4 month old baby) had stopped breathing at the day care centre where he was being looked after. She asked me to pray with her, which I did.
When the paramedics arrived at the day care, they tried reviving Micah, but without success. He was then taken to the hospital, where doctors placed him on a respirator, and for the next week they tried to revive him. Continual prayers went up and Konica stayed by his side night and day. But even in the midst of all this, Micah graduated to Heaven just before Christmas, on December 22nd.
Much prayer had gone up on Micah’s behalf, but we at least know he is now in complete perfection with the Lord. I am confident that prayers helped as a sustaining force for my stepdaughter, Konica, whose faith and compassion prevailed through all of this troubling time. My husband, Leonard, and I arrived back from Alabama on New Year’s weekend, where the funeral had taken place.
A special little bear
Testimonies were coming forth and I would like to share how God can use anything to minister in the least suspected ways. When Micah was born, I ordered him a “Promises to Grow Bear” from a well known ministry in America; it contained music and Scripture readings. Konica kept the bear close to Micah everywhere they went and he loved it.
When Micah began going to the day care centre, the nursery was often filled with cries from the babies. But when Micah entered – especially when he was placed on his floor mat, the other babies would crawl up and surround Micah and the bear, and quickly become calm. The staff workers all wanted to know where Konica got the bear; she told them one of his grandmothers bought it for him they all loved it. Unfortunately, Micah stopped breathing one day while at the day care centre and was rushed to the hospital.
The doctors determined Micah had stopped breathing for about 30 – 40 minutes but did everything they could to revive him over the course of a week, and Micah was literally on life support. In the midst of this, Konica kept the bear by Micah’s side constantly playing. Konica later told me and her Dad that many of the hospital staff gathered hand in hand to pray over Micah, something she had never seen done in the years working there.
She mentioned there was a particular nurse who was attending to Micah that was rather unkind and indifferent. Although Konica did not appreciate this, she never said a word to the worker. Rather, another Christian co-worker took Konica aside to lift up that particular nurse in prayer; this was without Konica ever mentioning anything about the nurse’s attitude.
After this prayer, that nurse changed. Suddenly, she was attentive and filled with compassion for Micah. She even grabbed Konica, embracing her as she offered sympathy. Everyone that came by to see Micah could not help but notice the constant music and Scriptures playing from the bear and would comment. Even at the funeral, Konica insisted the bear be placed near Micah’s little coffin. Certainly, the Lord used that little bear not only to minister to Micah in his short lived life, but to many others, as is evident through this testimony.
An opportunity for God
As a result of this tragedy, Konica’s desire is to become an advocate, requesting that day cares, especially nurseries, have cameras installed in them. I told her God can use this as a platform whereby she not only can shed light on the security of day care centres, but testify to her faith in God and his sustaining power and faithfulness, thus honouring her baby in a much greater way than she ever could have thought of before.
I am reminded of Exodus 4, 2 when the Lord asks Moses: “What is that in your hand?” It was merely a stick or a staff so Moses thought, but in the hands of God it became a miraculous tool! All honour and glory to God! I believe God used that little bear and I’m thankful to God and that ministry for creating it and putting it on sale.
Of course, Konica still has a process to go through as a mother. I have suggested some reading material that could help strengthen her and also bring truth and clarity to the Word of God.
Over the last few weeks Konica has sent links to news reports from television stations that have covered the incident…as a matter of fact, in mid January, they shut the day care down. So there’s an on going investigation which keeps the whole incident before Konica, but I know God is faithful and will continue to strengthen and sustain her for his glory.
A word from Helen Jesze: Thank you, Patsy, for sharing this with us and thank you, Jesus, for bringing Triumph out of this Tragedy. Dear devotionalsjust4u!! readers, I trust that you were also blessed by this testimony. When Micah’s grandmother, Patsy, was ordering that little bear, she had no idea how God would use this. Let’s pray for creative ideas when we want to buy or make presents for someone. God may have a special purpose in that very thing!
Prayer: Dear Jesus, We thank you for little Micah’s life and for all the joy he brought to those who loved him. We thank you that he is now safe with you, well and whole, with no sickness or pain.
Holy Spirit, bring your comfort today again to his mother, Konica, and give her strength for this day and every challenge she faces. Use her in this new role she is stepping into, to bring help to many other mothers and their babies.
For any other mother or grandmother who is grieving today for the loss of their little one, thank you that your arm is not shortened that it cannot save, and your ear is not heavy that it cannot hear their cry. Turn every tragedy into a resounding triumph, Lord Jesus, and use unexpected ways to reach the hearts of all those concerned, we pray. In the mighty Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Amen!
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