“A.L.S.”

“A.L.S.”  I doubt there are fewer dreaded combinations of letters than these three.  This diagnosis of ALS—amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease—is a death sentence.  There is no cure, no treatment as yet to send it into remission.  The average patient with ALS survives for two to five years.  There is a progressive loss of neuromuscular functions that lead to stiffness of limbs, lack of feeling in the extremities.  A halting gait, slurred speech, the inability to talk eventually begins.  Later, there is lack of ability to move, compromised breathing and swallowing.  Dementia might occur in some cases.  Ultimately so much stops functioning that death occurs.  It is a horrible, devastating disease that impacts families.  And no one knows what triggers it; it just happens.

So it is with our younger daughter Jennifer who, at age 46, became a patient with ALS.  A warm person with a beautiful smile, a beloved pre-K teacher, mother of three and devoted wife.  And a follower of Jesus Christ.  (That last is vitally important.)

Jen had always been physically active. At age 45 she was running two to three miles a day amidst a busy schedule of teaching and a bustling household.  One year later, in May 2018, she received the fateful news from one of the foremost neurologists at the University of Pennsylvania. Donna and I were with her and listened as a machine picked up the scrambled crackling of neurons firing out of sync, sure signs of ALS.  We all cried together.  As the news spread throughout our family, her friends, the community and the church, the outpouring of love and support was unimaginable.

As a Christian, the questions that loom over our thinking on this tragedy are these:  “Why did this happen?  How can a loving GOD even allow this to happen?”  In the back of our minds they haunt us.

My answer to the first is, I don’t know why this happened.  GOD created a world of beauty and order.  And yet mankind has brought disorder to the world.  Our bodies are not perfect.  Each of us has genetics that predispose us to certain illnesses.  There are things in our natural environment that can sicken us.  And then there is just dumb luck, the law of averages randomly playing out.  I have no idea which one or number of these things impacted our daughter’s health.  But I do know that GOD, who wants our happiness and peace, did not cause this.

Such questions lead us into examining our beliefs.  How do we pray?  Is it for miracles?  What if a miracle doesn’t happen?  There are some that might think disease is brought about because of some awful sin we have committed.  Others might suggest that miracles won’t happen if we don’t pray hard enough, without defining “hard enough.”  I pray for a miracle.

My hope for our daughter is in GOD.  I do NOT expect GOD to cause a remission of this disease in an instant, although I never doubt that He can do this.  But why a miracle just for her and not the thousands of others with ALS. The miracle for which I pray is that the medical researchers soon will unlock the secrets of the disease and discover its cure.  We pray also for strength and patience for Jen and her family until that day arrives.  And I pray that whatever the outcome might be, Jen’s life will be a testimony to GOD and Jesus Christ.

Jen has told us that GOD is in control of her life.  She has already been blessed by the outpouring of love from those who know her.  If her life can touch so many in this way, GOD is even now bringing about His Kingdom.  One day, we will all stand pure and perfect in the light of our Savior and Redeemer.  Against that, ALS cannot prevail.

“And we know that GOD causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”  Romans 8:28 (New Living Version)