Grace Revealed: Finding God's Strength In Any CrisisSample

Enduring a Child’s Long-Term Illness: Pray for and Trust in God’s Grace

You Are Not Alone

According to Medline Plus, fever, a lack of oxygen, head trauma, or illness can bring on a seizure. People are diagnosed with epilepsy when they have seizures that occur more than once without a specific cause. In about seven out of ten cases, the cause can’t be identified.

Shane’s Story

After suffering several miscarriages, Shane and Sandra Shepherd were thrilled to find out they were going to have twin boys in 2003. The babies were premature; the smaller one, Jackson, weighed only 2 pounds, 7 ounces at birth and almost died. At age three, Jackson began having seizures that continued for several years, taxing the family’s strength, resources, and relationships. Doctors could not discover what was causing Jackson to have 75 to 150 seizures a day.

“The quality of life for all of us was terrible, and eventually I felt like giving up,” Shane writes. “I was angry at God for finally giving us children, only to handicap one of them. I felt like God was mocking me. I felt like I was a joke, and this was the punch line.”

Finally, in 2006, a neurologist implanted a neuro-interrupter in Jackson’s chest and changed one of his medications. Jackson hasn’t had a seizure for ten years.

Shane writes, “It took the desperation of Jackson’s situation and the prayers of our Christian friends for us to realize that in the future, in both good times and difficult times, we must put our faith in Him…God’s marvelous grace and gift of healing led us to be baptized and to become members of LCC in December 2006.”

Returning God’s Grace

God has led Shane to other parents whose children suffer from seizures. Shane told Jackson’s neurologist that he was willing to talk with any parents who are in a hopeless cycle of seizure disorder with their children. He and Sandra explain to parents what to expect, how to react, and what types of questions to ask the doctors. They also stress the importance of turning the situation over to God.

If you or someone you know has a child who has medical issues, put your faith in God, and trust that He can, and will, bring healing.

A Bible Verse

Galatians 6:9 reminded Shane to never give up.

Shane’s full story along with the others you have read can be found in Fred Sievert’s book Grace Revealed. Learn more and continue your faith journey at www.storiesofgodsgrace.com.