“THE BOY WHO CHEATED DEATH”
Episode 2
After the doctor left, the Etuks thought about what to do. They called their Pastor and told him what the doctors said and what their decision was. The Pastor prayed with them and gave them some scripture to meditate on. Then they informed the doctor of their decision to leave Daniel on life support for as long as it takes.
“Mr and Mrs Etuk, keeping Daniel on life support is mental torture for you both, and it will only wear out his body. Remember, you still have a daughter to look after.”
“We believe that Daniel will come out of the coma.” Mr Etuk stated.
“I’m afraid that is not medically possible, sir.”
“I’m glad you said medically impossible because you’re about to witness God’s power at work.”
“I am a Christian too, and I understand, but this condition is irreversible.”
“Not for our God,” Mrs Etuk said and dashed out of the room, past sis Favour on the corridor, and went to the chapel, where she sobbed bitterly. Sis Favour followed her, sat beside her, and encircled her to comfort her. They were in this state when Mr Etuk found them.
“Hello, bro Ben.”
“Thank you for coming, sis Favour.”
“Pastor called me to leave whatever I was doing and get here as soon as possible, and thank God I was nearby. What did the doctor say?” Sis Favour inquired.
“They said Daniel is brain dead and want to take him off life support.”
“We waited for five years before Daniel came along,” Mrs Etuk retorts. “I can’t lose my son, after five years of praying, fasting, numerous tests and procedures, torture and insult from my in-laws. I have spent my entire life serving God, I am the best soul winner in the church, the best Sunday school teacher, and my husband is one of the top givers in the church; how can God allow this to happen to us?”
“Do you blame God for this?” sis Favour asked. “God is good, and His love is everlasting. He doesn’t do evil, it is not consistent with his nature, and you know it. Don’t let the situation overwhelm you; put yourself together.”
“I know”, She cried more. “I know, but how did we find ourselves here?”
“You, two, are spiritually responsible for your life and your children.”
“Are you saying we allowed this?”
“We are the architects of our destiny, and God has given us all power and authority in the name of Jesus. What do you think? Do you believe that Daniel can come out of the coma? Our Lord Jesus says in Matthew 17:20, ‘…if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you.’ Are you putting your faith to work? What are your confessions at this time; what are you saying? You can choose whether or not to believe the doctor’s report. You have failed to recognise this for what it is.”
“What is it, sis Favour?”
“This is the devil trying to steal your joy; according to the Bible, he came to kill, to steal, and to destroy.”
“But Daniel is born-again and has the Holy Spirit; why couldn’t the Holy Spirit protect him?”
“The Holy Spirit knows and sees everything, he is our protection, and He’s always talking, but we’re usually too preoccupied to hear him.” She took Mrs Etuk’s hand. “Dear Sis Uduak, Bro Ben, I’m sure the Holy Spirit must have given you a sign the day it happened,” she asked.
Mr Etuk, who had been silent all along, spoke up. “No, nothing. I felt nothing, and I heard nothing.” He responded.
“He did”, Mrs Etuk replied quietly.
“What!” The husband exclaimed.
“When I woke up that morning, I felt strange; after devotion, there was a heaviness in my heart, and then I heard a voice, let the children stay home today. But I have some deliveries to make, and I don’t want them to be alone at home, and I’m not sure how to explain it to you. So, I ignored the voice.”
“You should have told me, Uduak.”
“Yes, but would you have agreed to let them stay home?” He was quiet; Mr Etuk is very strict, and his wife and children sometimes cannot open up to him.
Sis
Sis Favour continued, “Here you are Sis Uduak, crying as if the boy is dead, God has kept him alive for days; he is giving you time to put your faith to work. The Pastor has prayed, and the brethren are praying without ceasing. But you two have to bring your son back from the bream of death, and no one will do that for you. You can use your mouth to change the circumstances of your life. My lunch break is over, and I have to return to the office. I will talk to you later; it will all end in praise,” let’s Pray. After praying with them, she gave them some more scriptures to meditate on.
She stood up to leave and, after taking a few steps, turned to the couple. “Jesus raised many dead people in the Bible, and even today, he still heals through us, his outstretched arms. You know what to do, do it before it’s too late.”
Thanks for reading,
To be continued.
Jumie Naths
