“Jesus, we ask that you heal this beautiful little boy, Frankie, completely. We ask that you find it in your all-encompassing mercy to touch him, and allow him to be restored to perfect health. We know that you have it within your power, Jesus, to do that which appears to be impossible. We have seen your incredible healing powers so many times and know for certain that they are real, and that all we need to do is ask that you come to our aid, right now, on this night, here in this room. We feel your presence, Jesus, and we know that it is only through your mercy that the hand of every doctor is guided every day, every minute, throughout the world, and that you need only say the word, and this innocent child will be healed. We believe in the depths of our souls that you will answer our prayers. Amen.”

There were four sets of wet eyes as they all mumbled “amen,” accompanied by the voices of those who had gathered outside the door to join in the prayer.

For the next hour or so, Mitch and Carolyn could hear Tim stopping at each room, regardless of the faith of the parents, to pray, laugh, and encourage, until he finally went home to be with his family.

At around three in the morning, while Carolyn napped next to Frankie’s bed and Mitch fretted while walking aimlessly up and down the corridor, Frankie awoke and started to cry. It was the sound they were waiting to hear.

The next day he was given a clean bill of health, and was released shortly after the morning rounds. It took a while for Carolyn to forgive Mitch for his carelessness, but they knew they had been granted a valuable experience that was not to be taken lightly or ever forgotten.

So now, sitting in silence next to Carolyn, Mitch said, “Do you remember what Pastor Tim said that night at the hospital?”

She looked down, and a hint of a smile crept across her lips.

“All you have to do is have a little faith,” she said, to which Mitch replied, “So let’s get to work!”

They prayed together for the next few minutes, and began to remember that, despite all the terrible events that had taken place, there was still hope. God does exist, love is stronger than fear, and faith is the willingness to accept that which we cannot possibly understand, either in the case of grace or the difficulties that come into our lives.

They finished and Carolyn said she was ready to leave. Finally, a small thread of light had broken through the darkness.