Lauren Scruggs is the beautiful, young woman who went up in a small airplane to see Christmas lights one Saturday night and then was tragically hurt by that plane’s propeller a short time later. Her story, her name and her miraculous recovery have been in the news often since that time. Why does the world remain fascinated by her story? She is a beautiful, attractive young woman. The accident was dramatic. Those could be the reason for all of the interest. I have a different theory. Very soon after the accident her parents spoke to ABC news, and those watching them speak – saw the power of God. Jeff and Cheryl Scruggs, Lauren’s parents, spoke about God when questioned by reporters but more significantly, they displayed the Presence of God as they spoke. Lauren’s recovery has been described as miraculous by her doctors. She has been prayed for – often. When I’ve seen her parents interviewed, I have marveled at their strength and been grateful for their Christian witness to the world. But only recently, did I discover the story behind Jeff and Cheryl’s great strength. Their faith and trust in God is not the product of a lifetime spent with God, but of two lives redeemed by God – and surrendered to his service. They have quite a story . . .
I love the “I Am Second” website. One night I couldn’t sleep, so I sat and watched the videos. This morning, I watched Jeff and Cheryl Scruggs’ story. Now I know why Jeff and Cheryl are able to show the world the presence and power of God, even in a time of great tragedy. Briefly, they were a beautiful, hard-working couple who met, married, and had two daughters. They built a successful life and attained the material and social status that comes with that success. But they had built their home on what the Bible describes as a “foundation of sand” (Luke 6:47-49).
Several years into their marriage, Cheryl Scruggs became involved in what she describes as an “adulterous affair.” She wanted a divorce, despite Jeff’s desire for counseling, and they ended their marriage. Three months after the divorce became final, Cheryl became a Christian. She describes that day as the happiest, saddest day of her life. Cheryl accepted Jesus as her Savior and she also had to accept the profound realization that she had made some huge mistakes. Jeff attended a men’s Bible study and described the time he was reading Proverbs 3:5-6. God told him, through that verse, that he had been placing his trust in the wrong things. And that night, he chose to trust God. Jeff and Cheryl Scruggs put their marriage back together. . .seven long, hard-working, struggling, God-surrendered years later.
The Scruggs, much like the apostle Paul, understand the truth about miracles. Some miracles are immediate healing…but many miracles are the result of a long, hard journey. Paul was speaking about his own need for healing from what he describes as his “thorn in the flesh.” He wrote, “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).
The Scruggs have seen God heal their marriage and they are seeing God heal their daughter. We need to pray for the whole family because they are tired, hurting and wanting to remain strong in their faith. The great news for them, and all of us, is this: God’s strength is most profound when we realize that we are weak and need the power of God.
Take a moment…be grateful for Christians like the Scruggs and ask God for his continued blessing in their lives. Then ask God for the strength you need today.
His grace is a miracle…and will be sufficient for whatever is before you. If we can pray for you, use the comment section of this blog and tell us how. I believe in miracles!
To donate to the Lauren Scruggs Hope Fund go to http://lolomag.com/2011/12/lauren-scruggs-hope-fund/ or give at any Frost Bank to the Lauren Scruggs Hope Fund.
{jcomments lock}
{jcomments lock}