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Tom and Laura Clifton, serving as missionaries with FamilyLife, a ministry of Cru.

On our blog you can read the latest conference quotes, find out about new things happening within FamilyLife, keep updated with our family, find links to helpful sites, and also find out how to join our support team.

Friday, January 17, 2020

The Difference of a Few Inches

Sitting in the overstuffed chair in the darkness before the dawn, listening to the gentle breathing of my son sleeping nearby propped up on the couch, I’m thankful he’s still here. Yesterday could have turned out so differently.

My creative son, who likes to video things and post them had a crazy idea...to light a Co2 cartridge on fire. Of course I wasn’t home while all this was going on.

He set everything up, lit in on.fire and took cover 20 feet away. He waited for quite awhile. When nothing happened he assumed the fire had gone out and stood up. The cartridge shot at him hitting him in the chin knocking out two lower teeth and giving him two deep lacerations on chin. The ring of lacerations looked almost like an open mouth.

Since I wasn’t home he sent a series of texts to his dad saying,”Come outside.  Hurry.”

After spending time in the ER they determined he should have surgery for the best possible outcome. The force of the projectile hit his chin, knocked out two teeth and also made a hole on the inside of his mouth. Had it hit two inches lower or higher in soft tissue the results could have been so different.

I’m thankful for God’s protection of him in this bizarre accident, for excellent medical care, and for doctors and nurses that we know attending to him.  Recovery may not be fun but he will recover. I’m also thankful for another day. Another day to see him. Another day to shake my head at his quirky jokes,  Another day to enjoy him being a part of our family.  Another day to spend in the company of my son. Life is a gift, a sweet treasure that can pass too quickly

Psalm 90:12 says, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”  Praying for that wisdom, to see each day for what it is and to intentionally love God and others with the gift that is life.

For those who are curious I will include a photo below. For those who are squeamish scroll no further!

Caleb’s injuries...














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