Through this whole tragedy with Kelly's friend Shaela, we have been learning from her family. Their faith is strong and has touched us very deeply. Today's message on their website made me pause and give gratitude and glory to God. Here's a family who, if they aren't already in destitute circumstances, probably will be soon because they've been unable to work since Shae's accident. One of their older daughters has been traumatized because of the accident (when she looked back, all she could see was her sister's body from the neck down). Shaela of course suffered serious head and brain injuries and lost one eye and lost vision (at least for now) in the other eye. And yet, Ken's message this morning was about forgiveness for the man who hit his daughters' car. I was so touched as he asked us to pray for the man who caused the accident.
When I saw hundreds of people in lines at Chipotle in all locations in Fresno for the fundraiser for the family, I knew the impact of this accident had reached far and wide. When I walked on campus at Tenaya and saw the signs "Pray for Shaela" at the school, I thought...just try to keep prayer out of schools! When it's carried in the hearts of the kids that attend, no rule, no organization can stop it. And how is all of this impact occurring? Because of this awful thing that happened to Shaela, her family's willingness to reach out, and a community's willingness to reach back and reach UP!
The power this will have to change lives is beyond our human comprehension. There are people who may never have prayed before who are opening up their hearts to God because of this accident. Though no doubt there is pain for Shaela's family and especially for Shaela who has a long road in front of her, can't you just see God's hand at work? I can, and it humbles me. He can work through pain and misery, disasters big and small, to bring people together and give them the chance to discover His love and mercy.
Wow.
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