Our wonderful Children's Leader at church, Vicky was such a blessing to us! She not only came up to visit us with Suzanne and Nathan, but also arranged for her sister (who lives in Seattle) to bring us dinner for Saturday night! She has a heart of gold and true wisdom from above. You can see her heart as she writes this message on her blog. Vicky, you are a gift to know and I am so blessed by you! Thanks for caring for and supporting us through this trying time......
Friday, February 1, 2008
Seeing Jesus
"Yesterday, I went to visit Mattie Bekken and his mom, Heidi. Suzanne and Nathan met me after work and we drove up to Harborview. Recently, Joe Miller wrote this post after visiting Mattie. He talked about how just as Heidi had to show love to Mattie by making him use his burned arm and leg, so God shows us love by allowing us to face difficulty in order to bring healing. As we visited for a few hours, I was struck over and over by how I saw Jesus through each of the people I was with.
Mattie:
In Mattie, I saw Jesus' care for others even while facing his own suffering. As soon as we arrived, Mattie was concerned because he didn't have a car for Nathan to ride in. He insisted we find a car for Nathan. At dinner, Mattie insisted we get a Gatorade and Jello for Nathan, and kept trying to share his food with Nathan. (Which was cute because Nathan kept politely refusing, and at one point leaned across the table, hid his mouth behind his hand and whispered to me something to the effect of, "I don't want to take his food." Apparently, Nathan had been listening well when we talked about how Mattie needed his veggies to grow stronger.)
Nathan:
In Nathan, I saw Jesus' love, compassion, encouragement, and patience. Last night, Nathan acted much older than a four year old. He kept telling Mattie, "You have to use your arm so it will get better!" and "Good job Mattie!" When they rode in the cars, Nathan was careful not to bump Mattie's car and went slow so that Mattie could keep up. He often drove behind Mattie so that Mattie would not be discouraged. As they played, Nathan was so careful to not bump Mattie's arm and leg.Right now, Mattie is very particular about how he wants things. Nathan was so patient-- it's hard when you're four to not get your way and to allow your friend to have his way. Finally, as we were driving home, Suzanne and I were talking quietly in the front seat. From the back, Nathan said, "I need some peace and quiet because I am so sad about Mattie." Later, Suzanne asked him if he would like for us to pray for Mattie. As she prayed, Nathan interjected his own thoughts. It was so precious to hear him pray for his friend. We also prayed for Mattie's roommate, who is also named Nathan, so our Nathan inserted, "not me," just in case Jesus got confused. :)
Heidi:
Joe already touched on seeing Jesus in Heidi, but there were a few things I wanted to add. Everyone who knows Heidi knows that she has a bubbly, friendly personality. Yet, I would find it totally excusable if she only focused on Mattie right now and didn't worry about anyone else. But that is not Heidi. Instead, Heidi continues to spread joy. In the cafeteria she asks the cook's name when she asks for a cheeseburger. She then turns to Mattie and reminds him to thank Hector for his cheeseburger and extra pickles.Mattie's roommate is a three year old who was also burned by boiling water. Heidi has befriended his mom, teaching her the ropes of hospital life and reminds Mattie to share with Nathan. Nathan is from Yakima and the rest of the family is stuck on the other side of the mountains, due to snow (Nathan was flown to Harborview). Heidi has surely lightened his mommy's heart and made this difficult journey easier to handle. These are only two examples of the many people that I saw Heidi shine God's love on.In Heidi, I also saw Jesus' strength and patience. She has been able to endure so much this week because her strength comes not from herself but from God. She relies on Him to get her through each day (often each minute). Because of her reliance on God, Mattie is learning what it means to trust God and to turn your burdens over to God.
Suzanne:
In Suzanne, I saw Jesus' friendship and generosity. Heidi will be the first to tell you that she and Mattie are both people-persons (or is it people-people?) and thrive on social interaction. Just as Nathan brightened Mattie's day, Suzanne being there brightened Heidi's day. Having her friends visit lightens Heidi's load and gives her energy to get through the times when she's on her own. Suzanne provided a listening ear and lots of fun. Heidi has had to buy her meals in the cafeteria. So on our way up, we stopped and Suzanne bought Heidi dinner.When we face difficulties, we have a choice: We can choose to say, "forget you, God" and focus only on ourselves, or we can choose to hold on tight to God and allow Him to work in us and through us. Last night, I saw God work in small and big ways through these four friends. It is often in our darkest hour that we are able to see God move in new and exciting ways. I am so proud of Heidi and Mattie's strength. It is so evident that it comes from Jesus, and that is why they are able to shine His love, joy, and compassion into the lives of others, even in the midst of suffering.Please cotinue to pray for Mattie and his family. They have a long road of pain and healing ahead of them still. The burn on his right elbow is not healing and may need surgery, so please pray for that wound in particular. As they remain in the hospital, they need prayer for continued endurance, strength, patience, peace, and comfort."
Seeing Jesus
"Yesterday, I went to visit Mattie Bekken and his mom, Heidi. Suzanne and Nathan met me after work and we drove up to Harborview. Recently, Joe Miller wrote this post after visiting Mattie. He talked about how just as Heidi had to show love to Mattie by making him use his burned arm and leg, so God shows us love by allowing us to face difficulty in order to bring healing. As we visited for a few hours, I was struck over and over by how I saw Jesus through each of the people I was with.
Mattie:
In Mattie, I saw Jesus' care for others even while facing his own suffering. As soon as we arrived, Mattie was concerned because he didn't have a car for Nathan to ride in. He insisted we find a car for Nathan. At dinner, Mattie insisted we get a Gatorade and Jello for Nathan, and kept trying to share his food with Nathan. (Which was cute because Nathan kept politely refusing, and at one point leaned across the table, hid his mouth behind his hand and whispered to me something to the effect of, "I don't want to take his food." Apparently, Nathan had been listening well when we talked about how Mattie needed his veggies to grow stronger.)
Nathan:
In Nathan, I saw Jesus' love, compassion, encouragement, and patience. Last night, Nathan acted much older than a four year old. He kept telling Mattie, "You have to use your arm so it will get better!" and "Good job Mattie!" When they rode in the cars, Nathan was careful not to bump Mattie's car and went slow so that Mattie could keep up. He often drove behind Mattie so that Mattie would not be discouraged. As they played, Nathan was so careful to not bump Mattie's arm and leg.Right now, Mattie is very particular about how he wants things. Nathan was so patient-- it's hard when you're four to not get your way and to allow your friend to have his way. Finally, as we were driving home, Suzanne and I were talking quietly in the front seat. From the back, Nathan said, "I need some peace and quiet because I am so sad about Mattie." Later, Suzanne asked him if he would like for us to pray for Mattie. As she prayed, Nathan interjected his own thoughts. It was so precious to hear him pray for his friend. We also prayed for Mattie's roommate, who is also named Nathan, so our Nathan inserted, "not me," just in case Jesus got confused. :)
Heidi:
Joe already touched on seeing Jesus in Heidi, but there were a few things I wanted to add. Everyone who knows Heidi knows that she has a bubbly, friendly personality. Yet, I would find it totally excusable if she only focused on Mattie right now and didn't worry about anyone else. But that is not Heidi. Instead, Heidi continues to spread joy. In the cafeteria she asks the cook's name when she asks for a cheeseburger. She then turns to Mattie and reminds him to thank Hector for his cheeseburger and extra pickles.Mattie's roommate is a three year old who was also burned by boiling water. Heidi has befriended his mom, teaching her the ropes of hospital life and reminds Mattie to share with Nathan. Nathan is from Yakima and the rest of the family is stuck on the other side of the mountains, due to snow (Nathan was flown to Harborview). Heidi has surely lightened his mommy's heart and made this difficult journey easier to handle. These are only two examples of the many people that I saw Heidi shine God's love on.In Heidi, I also saw Jesus' strength and patience. She has been able to endure so much this week because her strength comes not from herself but from God. She relies on Him to get her through each day (often each minute). Because of her reliance on God, Mattie is learning what it means to trust God and to turn your burdens over to God.
Suzanne:
In Suzanne, I saw Jesus' friendship and generosity. Heidi will be the first to tell you that she and Mattie are both people-persons (or is it people-people?) and thrive on social interaction. Just as Nathan brightened Mattie's day, Suzanne being there brightened Heidi's day. Having her friends visit lightens Heidi's load and gives her energy to get through the times when she's on her own. Suzanne provided a listening ear and lots of fun. Heidi has had to buy her meals in the cafeteria. So on our way up, we stopped and Suzanne bought Heidi dinner.When we face difficulties, we have a choice: We can choose to say, "forget you, God" and focus only on ourselves, or we can choose to hold on tight to God and allow Him to work in us and through us. Last night, I saw God work in small and big ways through these four friends. It is often in our darkest hour that we are able to see God move in new and exciting ways. I am so proud of Heidi and Mattie's strength. It is so evident that it comes from Jesus, and that is why they are able to shine His love, joy, and compassion into the lives of others, even in the midst of suffering.Please cotinue to pray for Mattie and his family. They have a long road of pain and healing ahead of them still. The burn on his right elbow is not healing and may need surgery, so please pray for that wound in particular. As they remain in the hospital, they need prayer for continued endurance, strength, patience, peace, and comfort."
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