God Answers Prayer -- and Sometimes in an Unexpected Way

Years ago, I fell down a flight of stairs -- bumpety bump on my bottom -- all the way down. I felt like a compressed-together accordion. I had a serious back injury and lived in pain, even after many medical treatments.

For years we prayed for my healing. We had weekly leadership meetings in our home, and they joined with us in praying for my healing. One night, a young couple, who were our church's new youth pastors, expressed their need for a bed. Inconspicuously, my husband made his way to me and told me he felt impressed to give them our bed. I learned many times over, that my husband and God, frequently had these little "chats", so no way could I offer an objection. The young couple was thrilled. But, now WE needed a bed.

The new craze, at that time, was waterbeds (pictured here), and our 13-year old son had one that he loved. My husband asked if he would let us sleep on the waterbed for a few nights to see if that's what we wanted to buy for ourselves. We heard that at least two weeks were needed to get used to it. In that two weeks period, something amazing happened. The back pain that I suffered from for years, was gone. It was so impressive, that we purchased a waterbed for ourselves, and enjoyed it for years.

So, was it the waterbed that provided my healing, OR was it the obedience to God's nudge, to give to someone in need? I think it's the same response from the blind man that was healed by Jesus: "All I know is once I was blind, but now I see!" And my response is, "Once I had severe back pain, but now I have none." Yes, God answers prayers, and sometimes He says: "1) Yes; 2) Not yet; 3) I have something better in mind. I think my answer was #3 -- He had something better in mind......so much so, that I'm continuing to tell others that God answers prayer. I encourage you: Don't limit God -- for NOTHING is impossible with Him. If not a "Yes", right now.....hang on....He probably has something so much better in mind! And in the meantime, LISTEN, He just may have an unconventional way of bringing about your answer, like He did mine!

What's Your Family Medical History?

A few weeks ago, I had surgery, and thanks be to God, I feel like a new woman now. But in preparation for that surgery, I had to consult with several doctors, and with each one, I had to complete a lot of medical forms that included questions like "What is your medical history -- have you or your family members had heart disease? diabetes? cancer? arthritis? etc." And, as a matter of fact....there were cases of those diseases in our family.

And I started thinking, as I encouraged myself with God's Word and faith, trust and hope, I thought, "What if there were a question on that form that said, "Have you or your family members had a history of notable miracles?" And, again, as a matter of fact....there were cases of those in our family.

For example: our daughter, Staci, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis -- diagnosis completely reversed (is a recording artist with a 5-1/2 octave range and public speaker today); my son, Ryan, had almost irreparable club feet -- completely healed (in fact runs 26.2 marathons regularly). Then, there's my father-in-law, who at age 62, had Lymphoma Cancer. After surgery, was told he would live, at best, six months, but, with his trust and faith in God, lived another 15 years. I was diagnosed with osteo-arthritis, but with God's guidance to natural health solutions -- I'm completely healed. How's that for "FAMILY HISTORY" facts? And how's that for "good genes"? I think we'll stake our claim on those genetics. I Chronicles 16:12 "Remember the miracles He performed, the amazing things He did and the judgments He pronounced!" No matter where you're at today....God is STILL a God of miracles -- REALLY....with Him, all things are possible!

I Believe I Can Fly -- If Dumbo Can -- So Can I

Yesterday, I posted "I believe I can fly!" Let's take it a step further. Do you remember Dumbo -- the Disney character that had huge ears? Other elephants ridiculed him, until he met Timothy Mouse that changed his perspective. Timothy convinced Dumbo that his little feather had magical powers that could turn his ears into wings. He created a sense of hope and expectation in Dumbo that was missing. The more Dumbo BELIEVED "anything is possible", the more Dumbo was convinced he could fly. Finally, despite the voices of opposition from the crows, Dumbo rose to the challenge and elevated his faith with courage. He turned his doubt into faith and turned those huge ears into an asset that helped him fly.

What changed for Dumbo? That brilliant little mouse helped Dumbo see that the power to fly begins in the belief that it's possible to fly. And the same with us -- when our hope rises, so does our perspective.

And what about you? What are the "ears" or "voices" that might be the cause for your discouragement, rejection or weakness? The voices of others who say you can't, or the voice of Father God -- that voice of TRUTH and FAITH, that says "With God, all things are possible"? With those "ears", we can rise above our challenges, our past, and those voices of opposition. Dumbo could fly. I believe I can fly…..AND I believe YOU can, too!