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Pastor's Piece - Miracles Do Happen

by Dr Alex Currie

 
Miracles Do Happen

 
This week we laid to rest a husband and wife who were in their upper 80's.  They died within three days of each other.   Allow me share one of the fantastic stories from Mr Lyn Knight's life.  Lyn became a very successful businessman and the Governor for Sydney Rotary.  Lyn and his two older brothers erected a 'monkey bar' in the backyard of their house at 66 Fox Valley Road, Wahroonga, and NSW.  Lyn's father was chaplain at Sydney Adventist Hospital.

At the age of 12 and in 1938, Lyn fell from this bar, where they practiced chin-ups and other exercises, and fractured his arm, just above the wrist.  Gangrene set in and his life hung in the balances.   Remember, these were the days before penicillin and antibiotics.   His life hung in the balances.  There were nurses and church people praying that God would save the child's life.  His life was spared and his Christian parents told him he was alive because people prayed and God performed a miracle.  They never wanted their son to forget, he was a miracle child. 

Five years later Lyn commenced his Bachelor's degree studies at University.  Remember, Lyn was a PK - a pastor's kid.  The bible, which relates many miracles, was a book read daily in the Knight home.    Instilled into Arthur Lyn Knight were thoughts such as - 'LYN - YOU ARE OUR MIRACLE CHILD - YOU WERE DEAD, BUT GOD SAVED YOU, FOR A PURPOSE.'

At University Lyn was taught by some professors that 'MIRACLES' were nonsense! They certainly did not believe in supernatural happenings.  Lyn's parents and family however had taught him that a miracle that saved his life.   So Lyn was torn between two different worlds. Who was right, his parents or professors?   

He decided to investigate for himself and contact the Doctor who amputated his arm.   He called Dr Scougall, explained a little of his situation and was invited to the Doctors home rather than to his rooms.   The surgeon suggested they walk around the garden while they talked.

Lyn shared with the surgeon his dilemma.   Parents and friends believed he was alive because his life had been spared when he was 12, but at University some believed there was no such thing as a miracle.  Can you visualise the scene?    The two are walking in the garden.  Dr Scougall was walking like English Gentlemen did in those days, with hands behind his back.   Lyn looked up to him and asked: 'what do you believe doctor?"

The Doctor, paused, turned to Lyn, looked him in the eyes and said:  "I remember the situation very well; it is engraved on my mind.   You were very, very ill.   Our team of medical men did everything they knew how to save your life - but it wasn't enough. You died three times during those two bad days.  We were able to resuscitate you - I don't know how.  But on the last occasion there seemed no hope.  In desperation we gave you a final blood transfusion.  That transfusion put new colour into your cheeks, you revived - I don't know how!  You know, as far as I was concerned I am convinced that someone up there must love you!"

His parents had told Lyn that the nurses were praying; three had given him their life-saving blood.  One of those nurses was mother to the present CEO, Doctor Leon Clark.  Lyn couldn't believe what he heard from Doctor Scougall.  His life had been saved by a miracle, the miracle of prayer.  Lyn had no idea whether or not Doctor Scougall was a Christian but that interview changed his life and outlook for the rest of his life.   It gave him a confidence and enthusiasm for God, church and life.   It gave him a super confidence in the Scriptures.   He developed a faith and belief that was never shaken despite tough times he and his wife experienced.

Albert Einstein wrote, "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as if nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is."  Let's cultivate awe and wonder.

Jesus said, "Your eye is a lamp, lighting up your whole body. If you live in wide-eyed wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. Keep your eyes open, your lamp burning, so you don't get musty and murky. Keep your life as well-lighted as your best-lighted room" (The Message) Luke 11:33-35.

Christmas reminds us of the miraculous birth of Jesus.  God became man.  He who was divine was born in a stable as a human baby.  This Christmas season reflect and meditate on the wonderful miracle child of Christmas, Jesus Christ.

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