God’s timing is perfect always
Day in and day out, we sit in the 8th-floor waiting room, observing the constant stream of visitors coming and going, each carrying their own burdens and stories. We’ve met so many truly amazing people during our time here, some of whom have forged such deep connections with us that they’ve become like family.
The second night I found myself in the waiting room, I noticed a man who came in dressed like a wrecker driver, radiating an aura of resilience. After several days of seeing him silently sitting in a chair, I finally took the plunge and introduced myself. He is now affectionately known as our Uncle Carl. Carl’s son, Jason, along with Jason’s wife and their twin 9-year-old boys, were involved in a horrific car accident that changed everything. A high-speed police chase had begun in their hometown, and tragically, the individual being pursued by law enforcement collided head-on with Jason’s vehicle. Miraculously, Jason’s wife and one of the twins managed to walk away, but Jason and the remaining twin, Brayden, were not so fortunate. Brayden was over at Children’s Hospital on full life support, while Jason lay unresponsive on the 8th-floor Neuro unit, fighting for his life. The sheer weight of their story overwhelmed me in ways I can’t fully express. Over time, their family became our family, intertwining our lives in heartwarming ways. If we needed something, or sometimes even if we didn’t realize we needed it, the family generously shared meals, tears, and heartfelt prayers with us. Tragically, Brayden passed away just last week, leaving a void that is impossible to fill. In an act of extraordinary generosity, his organs saved many lives. Among those lives touched by his passing was a little girl in Ohio, who desperately needed a heart. Her mother received the life-changing call on Mother’s Day, informing her that her baby would receive the perfect heart they had longed for, a bittersweet miracle born from unimaginable sorrow.
On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to meet Nicole for the very first time. Nicole was having a full-blown emotional breakdown in the hospital's waiting area, expressing deep anguish and despair. She had already been in the hospital for a grueling two days. Her 17-year-old daughter, Jamaya, had attempted suicide and thankfully failed… But God. Nicole received the heartbreaking news that night, along with several subsequent nights, that Jamaya would not likely make it through the night; they were told there was seemingly no hope left. In this time of unimaginable trial, Nicole has now become our sister. Jamaya is now our niece, and instantly, these two incredible souls have grown on us and into our hearts. My aunts, uncles, and our entire church family are committed to checking in on them daily, offering their love and support. God’s miracles truly are amazing… Remarkably, Jamaya is currently recovering in a step-down unit. She and Ricky recently had their tracheostomies and PEG tubes placed back-to-back by the same compassionate surgeon.
Each night, we make it a priority to visit Jamaya and pray over her… and then we make our way back to Ricky’s room, where we continue to pray for him as well. Both of their stories are on a trajectory to be absolutely amazing. God is in control… and ultimately, God has the final say in all things.
