Day 37 – April 16, 2025

The Holy Spirit in the Wilderness

The problem with being in the wilderness is surprise; the unexpected and terrifying. It is impossible to positively identify what is next. A plan is not possible. When in the wilderness, life becomes suspended. Everything stops.

I have actually been thrown into the wilderness more than once. I have even walked into it unknowingly. Three years ago, as President of United Methodist Women, I was leading our 100+ faithful followers in a joint spring luncheon in the Wesley Center. I had gotten a call the day before from my daughter, Cynthia, about pain in her neck and shoulder. I listened. At the luncheon, I asked for prayer for her as she has Systemic Lupus. For Cynthia, there are challenging days being a physician, wife, and mother but not being 100%. 

The luncheon was so much fun. The laughter and thankfulness was a high. We were back together after being confined by the threat of Covid. After leaving the luncheon, I walked into our home and my husband was at the door. He said Cynthia was in the hospital and needed me. She lives in Charleston, SC, a 9-hour drive. There were tornado warnings all around that night as I drove. I truly felt like I was driving through the wilderness. Finally, at 1:00 am, I arrived. Cynthia’s life was in the balance. Both of her vertebral arteries had dissected. Death or stroke was a real possibility. She was in excruciating pain. I was in the wilderness with my daughter. My plan for life, but particularly the wilderness of those days, was focusing on Our Lord and Savior. Prayer, reading my Bible, and connecting with believers, family, friends, and our church, Huntsville First United Methodist, were my shield in the wilderness of doubt and fear. I turned my child over to God. Not my will but your will be done. 

After days of this wilderness, I was driving the children to the hospital. Her nine-year-old daughter asked me, “Are all stepmothers mean?” This was her wilderness. Her fear was losing her mother. How do we get through those times without our Lord? Thankfully, He was by Cynthia’s side directing her care and by her mother’s side, sustaining me with His love. Surrendering our will is hard. With God’s help, we can give our wilderness to Him. 

Years before this wilderness, my precious son was born too early and died when he was 3 weeks old. I know that life can hold tragedy. I know our hearts can break. I also know God is with me. Just as Christ prayed, ‘not my will but thine be done’, in the Garden before He faced the crucifixion, we can trust God. He can heal bodies and broken hearts. Jesus trusted God’s will. Easter did come for Christ. Easter is there for you and me. He will bring us through the wilderness. A gift from God on Easter Day of that year was given when an interventional radiologist was able to give my daughter a nerve block to relieve her pain. Joy! This was an answered prayer –  along with her life! 

“Weeping may endure for a night, but JOY comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)

Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus for Your will and Your Love in the wilderness.  Thank you that I can trust in your infinite power and love. Thank you for the first morning light.