醫生診斷出四歲的頌恩患有杜興氏肌肉營養不良症，這是一種會造成肌肉逐漸萎縮的疾病。在確診一年後，醫生跟頌恩的家人討論是否要讓他坐輪椅，但頌恩非常抗拒。因此至親好友都為他代禱與募款，希望能獲得一隻受過專業訓練的照護犬，幫助他儘可能不坐輪椅。我本身有一隻受過訓練的照護犬，該訓練機構正在準備讓另一隻照護犬去協助頌恩。

雖然頌恩接受治療，也常高聲唱歌讚美上帝，但有些日子確實格外艱辛。在其中一個難熬的日子裡，他抱著母親，說：「幸好在天堂沒有這種病。」

當我們還在這個世界上時，每個人都會受疾病影響以致身體逐漸衰退。但像頌恩一樣，我們也有恆久的盼望，在無可避免的艱難時期，這盼望能堅固你我的心志。上帝應許賜給我們「新天新地」（啟示錄21章1節）。這位創造和維繫一切的主宰將設立祂的居所在人間，祂要與我們「同住」（3節），並要擦去我們「一切的眼淚。不再有死亡，也不再有悲哀、哭號、疼痛」（4節）。當等待讓人覺得「難熬」或「太久」的時候，我們仍可以有平安，因上帝的應許終必實現。

Doctors diagnosed four-year-old Solomon with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive muscle-degenerating disease. A year later, doctors discussed wheelchairs with the family. But Solomon protested that he didn’t want to have to use one. Family and friends prayed for him and raised funds for a professionally trained service dog to help keep him out of that wheelchair for as long as possible. Tails for Life, the organization that trained my service dog, Callie, is currently preparing Waffles to serve Solomon.

Though Solomon accepts his treatment, often bursting out in song to praise God, some days are harder. On one of those difficult days, Solomon hugged his mom and said, “I’m happy there’s no Duchenne’s in heaven.”

The degenerating effects of sickness affect all people on this side of eternity. Like Solomon, however, we have an enduring hope that can strengthen our resolve on those inevitable tough days. God gives us the promise of “a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1). Our Creator and Sustainer will “dwell” among us by making His home with us (v. 3). He will “wipe every tear” from our eyes. “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (v. 4). When the wait feels “too hard” or “too long,” we can experience peace because God’s promise will be fulfilled.