Finding Blessing In The Hard Places
/
Last week we met with Floyd's doctor and in the course of our discussion, I mentioned some of the miracles Floyd saw during his time at the first hospital. He had 2 very dramatic ones:
an MRI had shown multiple pockets of pus and necrosis in his legs. He was rushed into emergency surgery that they didn't think he would even survive. Once in surgery, they couldn't find anything that was shown on the MRI. It was all gone.
2 scans had shown that Floyd had a brain stem stroke. They did an MRI to get more information. There was no sign of the stroke on the MRI, and they said he had a normal brain for a 71 year old man with no brain damage.
The doctors were stunned both times. They called it "inexplicable." They said it left them stuttering and speechless.
I have to say "thank you" again to the Lord for these miracles!
God has been so good to us, to Floyd. We're grateful for these miracles, and we dare to ask for more! We ask Him to completely heal and restore Floyd.
Floyd has been sleeping a lot this week. I've been concerned as to what this means, but the Dr. assured me that his body is recovering from the emergency surgery that he had a couple weeks ago and all that it entailed. She said the sleep is bringing renewed strength and healing. I was very glad to hear this. Since this conversation Floyd has been gaining strength and being awake more and more. He was in his wheelchair for a good amount of time yesterday and held his head up by himself for a while. It's nice to see that strength in his neck.
As we have been talking to Floyd’s doctors again about the brain/body alignment that Floyd still needs, the reconnecting of brain and body after the stroke disappeared, we continue to keep praying and trusting for that.
And we want to keep praying for that for the Body of Christ worldwide - to be realigned to God's plans and purposes in our world today!
Someone sent me an encouragement this week about waiting in Him - being patient, being aware that He's doing things I can't see, trusting in His timing/not mine, and continuing to keep my focus on Him. One phrase really caught my attention - "Never judge My works by what your eyes see, but by the promises I have made to you." I choose afresh each day to keep my eyes on Him and trust Him.
"Lord, I have always trusted in your kindness, so answer me. I will yet celebrate with passion and joy when your salvation lifts me up. I will sing my song of joy to you, the Most High, for in all of this you have strengthened my soul. My enemies say that I have no Savior, but I know that I have one in you!" Psalm 13:5, 6 (The Passion Translation)
I also read recently that "difficulties are often blessings in disguise." I've certainly seen that to be the case through the years, so it's made me ponder our current season of "difficulty." Has the last 6 months been a blessing in disguise?
I don't know if I'd say it quite like that, but I sure see a lot of blessings:
The incredible outpouring of love, support, and encouragement has blown me away!
The massive amount of prayer being lifted up is hard to comprehend. A friend of ours said he's never seen so much prayer for one person. I'm sure God intends for much good to come from all these prayers.
The sweet closeness of the Lord as I've walked this journey has been more than I could have asked for.
The undergirding grace of the Lord to survive this time amazes me every day.
The generosity of friends, and those we don't even know, has helped to cover Floyd's ongoing care.
The answers to prayer for Floyd already has humbled us and amazed the doctors.
The list could go on and on. I'm thankful, so very thankful, for the blessings He has brought our way in the midst of difficulty. Maybe the whole journey will end up being a "blessing in disguise." God can certainly do things like that! He's an expert at bringing good out of bad.
"For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
He "gives beauty for ashes." Isaiah 61:3