As we transition from “Stay Home” to “Stay Safe,” a quick return to life in community is unlikely for those of us who have vulnerable family members. In the meantime, I am hearing many families express heightened fears and concerns about the costs of an extended isolation period. The situation has me reflecting on something that happened two decades ago when our daughter was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome.
Carly was two and a half years old when she had her first grand mal status seizure and started taking heavy doses of anti-convulsant medications. I still remember that first Sunday at church following several days of scary, uncontrolled seizures. One of the widows in our congregation was a prayer warrior and friend. She came up to me asking how Carly was doing. She was clearly eager to pray but started by asking a couple of questions about what the doctors were saying and what they had recommended we do. I explained that they had started Carly on some powerful medications and I mentioned our concerns about the potential long-term effects of those medications. With a thoughtful pause, a firm look in her eye and confident compassion, my friend said something I have never forgotten:
“We are going to keep praying for God’s healing work in Carly. And if that’s what the doctors say Carly needs, then we will pray it works exactly as they hope. We will pray that the medication does what it is supposed to do — no more and no less. We will pray against side effects. We will pray that the medications do no damage and that Carly will be able to stop taking them as soon as God wills. And we will pray that He gives you and Larry wisdom to know if and when that time comes.”
In that moment, the situation felt settled. I think I looked at her wide-eyed with a sense that she had both covered Carly with an anointed prayer and poured wisdom into me that would reap benefits for a lifetime. All I could do was hug that dear woman with tears falling down my cheeks in thanksgiving for her grace and wisdom. Her prayer has become a model for many of my own. I thank God for her profound influence on my faith and my manner of ministry.
Now we are facing the COVID-19 pandemic, and this kind of prayer has been a whisper on my lips for my family and others. I’ve been reading social media comments and hearing my counseling clients describe fears, frustrations and challenges:
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Fears about the virus’ potential impact on our medically-vulnerable family members
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Questions about how to balance trust in God with wise personal healthcare strategies
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Impatience with a lockdown season that isn’t likely to end soon for the vulnerable, even though others are now venturing out
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Concerns about our child’s confusion and anxiety about being socially isolated and limited in activities
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A sense of insufficiency and overwhelm while trying to prioritize learning over education
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Worry that hard-earned skills will be lost
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Overwhelm that our child with disabilities may require a more demanding level of care after the pandemic if this season causes him/her to significantly regress
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Discomfort with asking for prayer (e.g., will we “wear out our welcome” with such chronic needs? Will people misunderstand or judge our choices? Will we be forgotten and then feel new wounds of hurt or disappointment? Will God make us wait for help or answers and test us beyond exhaustion?)
Source: Special Needs Parenting- Key Ministry
