Even When My Heart Is Breaking

A few weeks ago, I posted an entry about the RUF campus minister at Furman, Dustin Salter, who was in an accident while riding bikes with his children a few streets over from his house. Dustin suffered very serious brain injuries, and continues to lay in a coma. His wife, Leigh Anne, posted this letter on the website of Redeemer Pres (which regularly updates on Dustin's condition). I wanted to share this letter with you, though I know that most of you do not know the Salter family. As I read this letter, I am reminded of the following hymn:

"Jesus! what a Help in sorrow!

While the billows over me roll,

Even when my heart is breaking,

He, my Comfort, helps my soul.

"Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Hallelujah! what a Friend!

Saving, helping, keeping, loving,

He is with me to the end."

The Lord is with Leigh Anne and the Salters "to the end," whatever, or whenever, that end might be.

To My Many Friends and Family Known and Unknown,

It has now been 18 days since Dustin hit a bump in the road that brought dark providence into our lives. I cannot begin to say thank you enough for the outpouring of love and support you have given me and my children. I truly feel God's presence upholding me every minute. Thank you for your unceasing prayers. Amazingly, I sleep well at night largely due to the fact that some of you are awake and praying for me throughout the night. The body of Christ is so beautiful.

I've had many good talks with the boys and they understand, as much as children can, the seriousness of the situation. At the same time, they are trying to figure out what it means to trust in Lord with all their heart. Continue to pray for me as I minister to them and help them believe daddy's words on God's providence.

I've experienced a whole range of different emotions, but at this moment my heart is sad because I miss my best friend. I know the road ahead is long, but I do know that I'm not alone, so together we wait for God's glory to be revealed.

Love,
Leigh Anne

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, IN HOPE that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience."
--Romans 8:18-25