Learning Perspective in the Pit

But to deviate from the truth for sake of some prospect of hope of our own could never be wise, however slight that deviation may be. It is not our judgement of the situation which can show us what is wise, but only the truth of the Word of God. Here alone lies the promise of God's faithfulness and help. It will always be true that the wisest course for the disciple is always to abide solely by the Word of God in all it's simplicity- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I found the above quote this week in my reading and was surprised to find that it so aptly described our 9 months working with our son's first treatment placement.

Week after week, Friday after Friday John and I would have strategy sessions on the phone or over coffee in the early mornings on how we were going to defend our family's Christian faith, values and the things that make us the Coombs'. There were many times we'd sit in therapy sessions, treatment meetings with probation officers, social workers and listen to the psychologist spew their venom at us.

"Your son is just the scapegoat for all that's going wrong in your family. Come into the 21st Century, live like the rest of us. Try this new way of meditation and mode deactivation. It's better for you. Your father has too much control over your home. It's your parent's fault. Your service in caring for your children is as if you worship them."

Wow the world is a dark, broken place. From the safety of the pit, standing on the Root of Israel for support (Romans 11), we held our ground. It exhausted us week after week, but we held on to the simplicity of Scripture as Bonehoeffer writes. We had 3 healthy children that were healing at home, they were all safe, growing, learning and we held onto eachother as a family should with times so tough. We studied and discussed God's word in our tough times. John's mantra was the verse from Job that says "Though he slay me, yet will I trust Him." Finally, we received a victory! After one particularly grueling session with "Adam's new Mom" as we called his therapist, John and I clasped hands and walked right to the administration building. I can't for the life of me remember what was said to the CEO during that impromptu meeting, but the next week we heard. "Well, I just don't get it, but you guys are a WW II era family living in the 21st century. Your values are Duty, God, Country, Service. You've not changed one bit in the last 7 months and clearly these are your family's values."

Can you shout AMEN?! I looked at the man and replied, "Thankyou, that's the nicest compliment we've ever received." It was then that the treatment facility wanted to discharge our boy, asap. Within 2 months of that meeting, Adam moved to his current location where finally, truth is being revealed into who and what Adam is dealing with inside.

Next Monday, our precious first born son, is moving to a locked down adolescent psychiatric facility rather far away from our home. He's out of touch with reality, lives in a fantasy world where anger controls and drives him. He's very unsafe. It would be so easy for me in my heart of hearts as his mother to grieve in despair at the injustice of it all. But that's not the perspective the last 16 months has given us. God has shown Himself faithful to us. We are all growing and recovering, our boy is getting help, Christ is our Glorious Advocate! The Holy Spirit continues to move us to make phone calls at just the right time for all the red tape to be cut through. We are clinging to the simplicity of His beautiful Word. It brings life to the disciple.

The more I walk this road of mental illness, the more committed I/we become to eachother and the bond that we have as family. The longer the road becomes, the more I/we need Him to hold our hands, carry us through the crags and set us on more even ground. Perspective shows me that the simplicity of Scripture has done just that.

And though this world with devils filled
Should threaten to undo us
We will not fear for Thou has willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
for lo his doom is sure.
One little word can fell him.

We love you, Jehovah our Provider and Advocate.