The Presence of the Holy Spirit Part 1

On the day William was taken to surgery to donate his organs, his mother and I were blessed to be able to say our final goodbyes. We took a moment together in grief and both felt the urge to escape. In an anxiety driven mode we packed all of our belongings and gifts we had received that week in bags the hospital staff had given us and proceeded toward the door.

Will's mother, Kacey, stopped and I heard her say, "Tony". I turned and I saw such a peace on her face that I had not seen in a long time. I knew what she was thinking because I felt the same way. I asked her, "You do not want to leave do you?"

She said, "No, This has been one of the best experiences in my life."

How in the world could we, having just lost our son, feel that way?

2 Corinthians 4: 7-10

But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our mortal flesh.

We felt that way because of the tremendous outpouring of prayer from around the world.
We felt that way because the power of the Holy Spirit was concentrated on that little room.
We felt that way because we were aware of His presence in a big way in our humble lives.

I think Wesley sums it up

"He proceeds to show, that affliction, yea, death itself, are so far from hindering the ministrations of the Spirit, that they even further it, sharpens the ministries and increases the fruit. That the excellence of the power, which works them in us. may undeniably appear to be God."

That has been revealed to me as truth, that in the midst of chaos and death, God steps in and calms the storm. Putting a stranglehold on death and calming our fears. Through my son's death the power of the Holy Spirit became tangible to me and we were blessed!

Next week I will continue the story of His presence in our lives. As the continuing prayers lifted marinate our earthly existence, the lives of others are being touched. The power of the Spirit is racing ahead and the passion that has been ignited in our hearts speaks to the continuing legacy of Christ through my son Will.