Canyons 

 God Knows Our Circumstances | by Eric Hewko

Editor's note: this was written by Eric Hewko, whose adult son, Adam, suffered a traumatic brain injury ten months prior to his writing this devotional. Throughout Adam's ongoing recovery, Eric has written hope-filled messages of what God is teaching him and his family through their experience. He has shared his insights on CaringBridge.org. This is a testament to God's mercy in their lives, and an encouragement to all of us who struggle with difficulties and the tragedies of life. As we enter the New Year, this is a beautiful reminder that God watches over us and works all things for our good. Pray for Adam's healing—and peace, comfort, and strength for his family!

"There have been many days wherein I have felt as if I was at the bottom of a canyon looking up. And I am not just speaking of these past 10 months. As I reflect upon my six decades, there have been many 'end-of-self', bottom of the barrel experiences. But with the wisdom of the passing years, you realize that life just continues on. In this respect, I am no different than you. 

As I say goodnight at the end of each day to Adam, I say this prayer, 

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you, 
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, 
and give you peace.

This priestly blessing is known in Hebrew as the "Nesiat Kapayim," [raising of the hands]*. 

It is also known as the Benediction, often said at the close of a church service.

And, my family heard it often as it was repeated by my father to anyone who cared for him in his last year of life.

Tonight, when I prayed this prayer, I could not help but think back to one of our family’s summer trips to Jackson, Wyoming. I believe I have told you about this before. We were in a raft on the Snake River. We were surrounded by high mountain walls whilst in the midst of fast moving white water, navigating around boulders which had fallen thousands of years ago. At the moments of the rushing water and action, you feel vulnerable and helpless. But unknown to us at the time is that just around the next bend, if we hang on, there was calm waters with breathtaking vistas and new experiences of which we could never imagine.

Each moment of our lives, God on high sees all. He knows our circumstances. He knows us. He knows what is around the next bend.

What a wonderful experience to have our Lord bless us
To have our Lord’s face shine upon us
And, to have our Lord’s peace come upon us
As He sees what we cannot.

As much as I may have feared, our Lord has a new hope and horizon for Vanessa, my girls, me – and Adam. And, you.

In every sense, this is exciting to know that good will come from all of this.

'See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland' Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)."

Copyright 2015 Eric Hewko

*Also known as "The Aaronic Blessing or Benediction."

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