Jeffrey Dean Blog

I have been overwhelmed with emails, Facebook comments, calls, and texts from so many checking on my brother over the past 6 weeks. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to check-in, and, more importantly pray for healing for Jeremy. Please continue to lift him up to the Father in prayer.

For those of you not aware, on April 6 my younger brother suffered a severe stroke and a heart attack. He has been hospitalized ever since. He is now undergoing intense rehabilitation and we are praying for complete healing that he will once again be able to move his limbs, walk, eat, and talk.

Jeremy isn’t just a brother to me. He is a best friend. Not only do we share a likeness for food, music, sports, a day on the lake, and a really good cigar from time to time, we also share the same birthday, seven years apart. (Ask my parents.) I have two brothers, both to whom I am very close. My older brother Kent moved out of the home at 17 to go to college. I had one year remaining at home before leaving for college. It was during this one year when Jeremy and I moved from siblings to friends. We have remained the best of friends ever since.

Jeremy has always been a great source of inspiration to me. Though we live in different cities, we are always on the phone in conversation and have worked to see each other as often as we can. My little girls adore their Uncle Jeremy, and his English Bulldog, Boggs. Anyone who knows Jeremy will tell you that a conversation with Jeremy always leaves you feeling better. Jeremy is an extremely warm, welcoming, considerate, and uplifting person. He has such a gentle spirit. I guess this is why his 2nd grade students love him so much. His principal told us at the hospital a few weeks ago that in his 20+ years of education, he has never worked with a teacher who is more passionate and intimately concerned about his students as Jeremy. This doesn’t surprise me.

For the past six weeks, I’ve gone through a multitude of emotions. For anyone who has ever experienced such a nightmare, you know. I would be lying if I said that I haven’t asked God a few times since his accident “Why?” If you have ever gone through such a personal tragedy, whatever it may be, then you understand this. And, this is why I want to share with you what I believe God is saying to me in the midst of my pain.

I was reading in the Bible last week in the book of John and I came across the story of Lazarus. Lazarus was a close friend to Jesus who was dying. His sisters sent word to tell Jesus, “…the one you love is sick.” The Bible says that when Jesus heard this, he remained in the city where he was two more days before going to see Lazarus. And, shortly after, Lazarus died. But the story doesn’t end there. Jesus travels to the tomb where Lazarus has been for four days and he commands him to “come out.” And, Lazarus rises!

Though I’ve struggled with making sense of Jeremy’s condition, I have also found comfort the last few days in this story of Lazarus and Jesus. Not because Jesus healed him and brought him back to life. Instead, because of the words of Jesus in John 11:4 where he says, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory.”

This story is a reminder to me that God uses moments of great tragedy to bring glory to Himself. This pattern repeats itself time and again through scripture. Though it breaks my heart to see my brother in the condition he is, I work every day to remind myself that God too will use this moment in Jeremy’s life and in ours (though horrific it is) for His glory.

Your story may not be exactly as the one my family is experiencing. But, your situation may equally be painful and, at times, seem unbearable. If so, I hope you can find comfort in knowing that when you are in the middle of it all and are tempted to give up on God, remember, “God is faithful. He will not give you more than you can bear…he will provide a way so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

Practically speaking, let me encourage you to make every moment count in your life. Never take a single day for granted. You never know what will come your way tomorrow. Talk to those you love as much as you can and tell them how much you love them. (Even if they don’t return the love.) None of us know whether we will even be given tomorrow. So while you have today, let love live through you.