Good Vibes

My 62 year old mom drove herself to the hospital this week due to complaints of severe gastrointestinal pains (her belly hurt). After much examination, the doctors concluded that her colon had flipped (I have no idea what this means or looks like) and therefore a portion of it had to be removed. Over the past decade, she has experienced copious amounts of maladies, with few that have led to tests and even fewer that have resulted in treatment or cures. Needless to say, this surgery was much needed, and I think, will put an end to her insidious pain.

I couldn't do much for my mother from 14 hours away except pray and wait. I posted on facebook for prayer for her surgery and then recovery. In and through this, I received lots of comments of prayer and "good vibes" from friends across the globe. I know my friends have good intentions, but the more I thought about "good vibes", the more they pissed me off. Urban Dictionary defines good vibes as "meaning all of the people, places, ideas, and possibilities that evoked positive, safe, happy sensations. Good vibes indicated a "green light, go for it" type of decision and described synchronicities, beneficial encounters, and sensations of protection and grace." Does this mean in other words, "Good Luck"? 

That doesn't sound very hopeful during a time of potential life and death. 

The other thing that bothers me is the thought that we, as humans, can emit something so profound that it would impact someone or something across continents or even state lines. 

This is the mental imagery I have when I think of emitting good vibes.

Care Bears are cartoons. Not humans. The best chance we have at sending hope or care across continents or state lines is a phone call, a letter, flowers....something that communicates. If we humans are broken and powerless by ourselves, what makes us think that we can emit a vibe that is good, let alone powerful enough to protect my mother in surgery? Or even worse, be of any comfort if something had gone wrong? This is why prayer to God: creator, sustainer, giver of life and  redeemer - is the only thing that could and would ease my weary mind during her surgery. He is the only one that has the power to be with the surgeon in the operating room and to be with me and my sisters in various locations, as we wrestle with the unknown.

I love my friends, and know they mean well, but I don't want good vibes. I can't put my hope in that. The only firm place that my hope can rest is in our creator and redeemer.  If He can create the world and everyone and thing in it (Genesis 1& 2), knowingly watch it destroy itself (Genesis 3), destroy it (Genesis 7), rebuild it knowing what would happen (Genesis 9), and still love all of it despite itself (Matthew, Mark, Luke and/or John), then I can trust that there is beauty in the breakdown, and furthermore, there is a plan at work.