OK. It’s been several weeks since we’ve posted a blog so today’s (blog) may be a little longer than normal, I don’t know?… we’ll see. I probably need to do more of 'a journal entry’ (for myself) than I do a blog (for everyone to see) but I feel like this might help someone else too- so here goes: )
Well, we’re still trying to get re-acclimated to being back in Brazil after our short visit home to the States. Me and MJ went home to attend our oldest son’s graduation from college. We’re so very proud of Michael and this newest accomplishment that he’s added to his life. He graduated Cum Laude with a BA in History (he also received his teaching certificate) and is going to teach History in a high school there in Georgia. We’re so proud of him.
The negative part of this whole thing is that we're still very emotional about ‘not' being able to be more a part of him and our daughter-in-law’s lives (because of living on the other side of the equator). It’s heart-wrenching every time we have to say goodbye because we know that, in all probability, it’ll be a couple years before we see them again. And, as much as we’re honored to serve on the mission field, it still doesn't take the sting out of some of the things (like this) that we have to sacrifice, so please pray for us because it’s hard. So, there’s that.
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| Michael and our daughter-in-law, Sarah |
Then, a couple weekends ago, Matthew had a race. It’s Wintertime here in Brazil and the weather has been really nasty (wet and record cold temperatures). This was only his second time racing and the condition of the track was horrible. His race was the 7th race of the day and, as we watched the first 6 races, we knew it was gonna be difficult. Everyone was falling, getting stuck in the deep mud and it was just down-right ridiculous. Actually, in my opinion, they probably should've cancelled the races because of how dangerous and wet it was- but what do I know, right?
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| Here's Matthew's motorcycle stuck in the mud during practice. Like I said, the track was horrible! |
So, anyway, I stood there on the starting line with him as he was waiting for the green flag. We had prayed there together before I went back to where all the other spectators were. We prayed specifically for safety, protection and that he’d be able to have fun. After we prayed I took his jacket (he had it on because it was still drizzling rain while they were waiting there at the starting line) and then I went to watch my boy: )
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| Matthew, #387, on the starting line |
As the flag dropped Matthew was the first one out of the gate! This is huge in motocross because whoever hits the first turn in the lead usually has a great chance of winning the whole race (by pulling away from everyone else and maintaining their lead, of course).
Matthew got out of the gate first and hit the first turn in first place. But as we stood there waiting for everyone to emerge from the first turn- nobody was coming!? Wait a minute… where is everyone? Eventually racers started flying out of the first turn but Matthew was nowhere to be seen. There must have been a pile-up or something. Then, out of nowhere, Matthew comes flying past us. Here’s the video:
Matthew (and all the other racers) fell on the first turn because it was soooo muddy. Man, he was in first place but now had fallen back into 5th because of the pile-up: (
And then it happened. As we stood there watching, we saw Matthew (in the distance) just stop and get off his motorcycle. Something was wrong… his arm was just hanging there, lifeless. The adrenaline had worn off from when he had fallen and he realised that he was hurt.
A paramedic and a few other people ran out to him and eventually were able to get him to the sidelines where the ambulance was parked. When they were finally able to get his chest protector and racing jersey off we could see his collar bone protruding from inside his skin. His arm was out of the socket and his collar bone was so out of place (and pressing so tight against his skin) that it looked like it was gonna poke right through the skin! He was in unbelievable pain, he had turned a kind of a yellowish color and actually almost fainted several times because of how bad it was hurting. They said that he needed to get to the hospital so we left his motorcycle there and loaded him into the van and off we went.
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| You can see the bone protruding out of place: ( |
It was the longest 30 minute ride of our lives (trying to get to the hospital) as Matthew was in the back writhing in pain. Man, it was so frustrating being so far away from the hospital. But we finally arrived and after a few hours they got him fixed-up and we were able to leave.
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| Matthew being administered pain medication after they got his shoulder/arm back into place |
So, here’s the point of the blog… We prayed, so what’s up with that? We specifically prayed for protection and in less than 5 minutes after we uttered the prayer my son was injured and we’re on our way to the hospital! Is God not listening to our prayers? Does prayer not really work?!
Of course God hears our prayers and prayer most definitely works! This is where “the trust part of prayer" comes in. When we pray we know He hears us (I Peter 3:12). But sometimes our prayers aren't answered in the exact way that we want them to be answered. And that’s where we need to fully trust Him in spite of it.
Our minds may be screaming, “why do I even pray when it doesn't turn out the way I want it to?” But we’ve got to throw that kind of thinking to the side because we serve a God who knows everything past present and future (omniscient), who has all power to do whatever He wants (omnipotent) and who loves us beyond comprehension. So, if we pray for… I don’t know… let’s say “protection.” And someone does something like… “get's injured anyway” what do we do? We trust. We don’t try to figure it out either- we just trust Him. Especially when we’re praying in-line with scripture.
When Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray (Matthew 6:5-15) He told them to pray for protection from temptation (testings, trials, etc.) and for deliverance from evil (or the evil one, aka- the devil). So that’s what we (The Dunns) endeavour to do each day. But when we do pray for God to not lead us into temptations (testings, trials, etc.) and to deliver us from evil (or the devil) and it’s seems like we’re still facing trials and that evil is right up in our face anyway- what’s going on? Here’s (what I believe) is the answer:
Jesus tells us to pray that God won’t lead us into temptation and that we’re delivered from evil because "some temptations, testings and trials aren't necessary and it isn't necessary that the enemy is able to buffet us at every turn. But some temptations, testings and trials are necessary. And it is necessary that the enemy (or evil) is able to touch our lives sometimes.” So, if I pray specifically to not be led into temptation and delivered from evil but yet I still encounter it- it must be necessary for me to face it. I have to trust Him and trust that it’s all part of His plan.
You see, the only way that growth will occur in our lives (whether it’s in faith/spiritual development/maturity, etc.) is when we’re able to face difficulty and be tested. And the test is usually “will we trust God or will we doubt Him and His Word?” It’s easy to trust in God when everything is going the way we think it should, right? But the real test is when we face difficulties (i.e., prayers not answered the way we want) and we still choose to trust Him and not get frustrated, bitter and doubt His goodness.
Ultimately tests, trials and temptations make us stronger anyway. That’s why James 1:2-4 tells us to “count it all joy when we face them- because they're producing perfection and completeness in us."
So, the fact that our prayer for protection wasn't answered the way we had anticipated- is OK. Because we trust God and his sovereignty. And like I said a second go- “we don’t need to try and figure out why either.” We just trust: )
What about you? Do you find it difficult to trust when your prayer isn't answered in the way that you prayed it? If so, endeavour to try trusting in spite of the fact that things turned out different than what you'd hoped. There’s soooo much freedom in trusting Him and knowing that whatever the outcome of a prayer is that your still gonna trust and rest fully in Him.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones."
Proverbs 3:5-8
Love Ya,
Jim and MJ
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