What a difference a week can make. Last Friday night I was sitting in your room in ICU crying...
Tonight I’m sitting in your hospital room laughing as I watch and listen to you interacting with your nurse and respiratory tech. It’s 1:30 in the morning and you just woke from a wonderful, peaceful sleep with lots to say. Of course, it’s still a bit challenging to talk with your trach in place, but then when have you ever let a challenge stand in your way?
Your recovery this week has been nothing less than miraculous...but why should that surprise us...that’s exactly what we’ve been praying for. And to say you’ve had lots of prayers being lifted up on your behalf would be the understatement of the year. Tonight you asked me to thank everyone who had prayed for you...yeah, right! I could thank people for the next six months and not get to all of them. You’ve had prayers going up from here to Scotland, from friends, from family and from people you’ve never met and will probably not meet this side of heaven but they lifted you up to the FATHER anyway. They prayed and believed. The HEALER passed by and you reached out and touched the hem of HIS garment.
You have blessed so many people since coming to this incredible hospital. The doctors, the nurses, the aids have all been used by GOD to minister to you and to us. They all love coming into your room. They feel your love and somehow, I think they sense the presence of the LORD here.
I know you still have a way to go on this journey to recovery but Mama Charley is back with us and ready to allow the FATHER to turn this trial into a testimony of HIS healing power. You’ve not been able to talk for two and a half weeks and I know you’ll have lots to say when you’re able to talk again, Until then you are communicating with mouthed words, smiles, winks and thank GOD the twinkle that has returned to your eyes. You’ve reached for the hands of nurses (and that in itself hasn’t been easy with the weakness in your arms, legs and hands) and I’ve seen them gently kiss you on the forehead and tell you how much they love you. You have the gift of spreading GOD’s love wherever you go. I wonder if GOD is using you through this trial to be JESUS to one of your caregivers. I wonder if when we get to heaven one of these same people will come up to you there and say “I’m here because you showed me GOD’s love. You showed me what grace looks like.” As the word tells us, when we’re at our weakest that is when GOD is the strongest. And mama, HE has shown HIMSELF strong through you!
He has strengthened us and supported us. When our faith was weak HE sent warriors to hold our arms up, when we were frightened HE reminded us that HE was able and when we trusted you to HIM, HE raised you up. What a mighty GOD we serve!
