In the first post of this series, you met Greg Lucas, who blogs at Wrestling with an Angel, and his family. Greg shared some of the story of how their son, Jake, changed their lives and brought them to a crisis point. In this post, Greg tells what happened when God sent a storm into their lives, one they couldn’t handle and describes what life with Jake is like today.

Greg Lucas Interview, Part Two

Here’s the second half of Greg’s answer to these questions: Would you tell Jake’s story, as much as you feel comfortable sharing? How has his condition changed your lives? What have you learned from the experience?

We were losing our son. With every seizure he was slipping further and further away. I’m not sure the day or the hour, or even the place, but somewhere near the end of Jake’s second year, we fell on our faces in total desperation and cried out for the mercy of God.

Then, just as Philippians 4:7 promises, the peace of God came to us. We were forever changed. Jake was still sick, but God was in control.

Two weeks later the seizures stopped—completely. And they never returned. But for some reason Jake never progressed much past that second year. Doctors have diagnosed everything from cerebral palsy to autism, but diagnoses have never been much help for us.

Today Jake remains on a two year old cognitive level. He does not speak and he has some physical disabilities, mainly with walking and fine motor skills.

And yet, with all of his disabilities, he has the amazing ability to connect with people in a life changing way. Everywhere he goes people are changed by the grace of God in his life.

That is exactly how he has changed our lives too. Jake has taught us much about patience, perseverance, humility, compassion, dependence and grace.

I like to tell people that a mentally disabled child led my wife and I to the Lord, and since then has shown us more about the grace of God than any theologian, scholar or preacher ever could.

Jake and His Siblings

Here’s what Greg had to say in answer to this question: If Jake has other siblings, how has it affected them?

Jake has two younger brothers (Noah and Aaron) and a little sister (Hope).  Noah, Aaron and Hope all seem to be natural caregivers with the gift of compassion. Perhaps they were born this way. More than likely, Jake molded and shaped this gift into what it is today.

I say this because it’s not easy living with Jake. The smells and sounds are not inviting, and no personal property is safe from his reach. Yet no one complains. It is not a simple decision to invite friends over to our house or to have an overnight party knowing that anyone who gets close to our family will have to get uncomfortably close to Jake. Yet friends are over to our house all the time allowing Jake to be right in the middle of their “cool” crowd.

Going out in public is much the same. Teenage kids have a difficult enough time being embarrassed by the presence of their parents around other kids. Add Jake to that scene and one could expect some anxiety in the quest for popularity. Yet our boys often walk with Jake through the mall, pushing his wheelchair and even introducing him to their friends. Of course more people know Jake than know Noah, Aaron or Hope so maybe they are actually gaining in popularity by hanging around with their “cool” brother.

Miraculously, the characters of my other three children shine in the presence of their disabled brother. In short, I think I could say with grace, Jake has made each of my children better people.

Come Back Next Time

Pretty amazing family, huh? If you like what you’re reading, come back next time to find out what has been the Lucas family’s greatest support. Until then, be sure to visit Greg’s website if you haven’t already. It’s too good to miss.

Wrestling with an Angel, Part 1
Wrestling with an Angel, Part 3
Wrestling with an Angel, Part 4
Wrestling with an Angel, Part 5

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