Here's Jonny

Imagine it, ladies. You are 32 years old and a successful pilates fitness instructor. You have been happily married to your US Navy SEAL husband and combat medic instructor for five years. But one day, you get the call, travel to the hospital, and face your worst nightmare. That macho, masculine, intelligent, strong, and loving man you promised your life to was in a car accident and suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI), specifically a diffuse axonal injury. He is in a coma and only God knows if he will recover.

According to People magazine reporter Lindsay Kimble, that was the situation for Laura and Johnathan Grant on March 17, 2017. Laura was shocked at 32 to have her life turned upside down. Since the day Jonny woke from his coma, Laura has been involved with his healing, therapy, and motion. According to Kimble, Laura was reluctant to allow her and Jonny’s story to be published, fearful of the backlash the couple might receive. But contrary to her fears, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, and Jonny’s service family has been there to help - along with her faith. Her advice to her beloved husband?

“If it’s God’s will for you to live, then fight, but if it’s too painful then I understand, and I’ll be okay.”

Now that is a woman with a strong faith in God. I wasn’t at Laura and Jonny’s wedding, but I imagine her vows included something akin to “to love, honor, and cherish, in good times and in bad, until death." Again, I have never met Laura or Jonny, but it appears like she meant it.

Now imagine that same love, but from the God of all things. If a still young wife can be totally devoted and loving to her husband of only five years, how much more so can the God who knit us in the womb shower his love on each of us? (Psa 139:13) If, in today’s society of throw away marriages, pre-nuptial agreements, and Planned Parenthood pamphlets on abortion, the Grants can find happiness in tribulation, how much more so can we find joy in our relationship with the God of all creation?

I applaud Laura Grant and her husband Jonathan for their perseverance and love that withstands their current trials. I applaud People magazine and reporter Lindsay Kimble for running such a feel good story in these dog eat dog news days. And I applaud the brotherhood of arms caring for Jonny behind the scenes – because that is what brothers do.

But most of all, I praise the one true God, the One whose love conquers all, whose grace is sufficient for all. And I pray to remember Laura Grant’s advice if ever such tribulation comes my way.

“I have to remember that God has a plan and that the journey that we’re going on, God has full control of it.” (Kimble, 2017)

(Details courtesy of People magazine online edition: https://people.com/bodies/laura-browning-grant-using-pilates-navy-seal-husband-paralyzed/ - Photo courtesy of Twitter)