 Photo from creative commons library "He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV Not one, but two. Two of my baby boy's toes gone forever. My 16 year old "baby boy" ran his foot over with our family lawn mower on Memorial Day. I ran to my boy's loud screams from inside our home. I immediately put pressure on his foot to keep his life-blood from pouring out of his body. Later, the ER doctor stated that he was expecting to have to administer a blood transfusion, but realized there was no need. Thank you God for sparing David* from this. For years I had been praying for God's angelic protection over my family, including my 3 boys. I prayed almost daily, "For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all of your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, that you do not strike your foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:11-12). I questioned God on this, while reminding Him of this very promise. "Is this a joke? My son ran his foot over with the lawn mower." But that's just it! He didn't lose his foot! The devil wanted to take my son's foot, but God didn't let him. Thank you God for not allowing the devil to take David's foot. All of our faith-filled friends and family were seeking God in faith and asking that He take all pain from David. And each day following the accident, the doctor visited my son and asked him, "What is your pain level on a scale from 1 to 10?" He prepared to give him a prescription of pain medication. Each day David would reply, "I have no pain." So no pain meds were given past the original date of the accident. Thank you God for taking all pain from David's body. David left the hospital in a wheelchair, with the instructions to undergo weeks of physical therapy, as his foot would have to learn to balance while walking with only 3 toes. David lost the toes (numbers 3 and 4), located in the middle of his foot, hence his recovery would not be as long and strenuous as it could've been if he had lost numbers 1, 2 or 5. Come to find out, my husband inspected the lawn mower following the accident and discovered that the mower blade was on backwards, which means that the dull side is what made contact with David's foot. Had the sharp side made contact, David most likely would've lost all 5 toes! Thank you God for sparing David's 3 toes! David was also told that he could not go back to playing that year's football season. This was one more loss and major disappointment that David had to process. However, things did not happen as the doctor had thought. After the long process of healing, going from a wheelchair and then crutches, David visited the therapist to have his cast removed. That day the therapist told us that David would have to have many more visits to learn to balance on his foot, and also because he lost strength in his leg and foot from not having used it for months. However, when David returned home from the therapist's office that day, he placed his crutches against the wall as a symbol that he was not going to use them another minute. He began walking without them with ease and perfect balance. Thank you God for David's speedy recovery! David was doing well enough that he talked his doctor into giving his football coach the "thumbs-up" so that he could play out the final weeks of the football season. Thank you God for granting David this desire of his heart. There are 2 different ways that one could view the events of this "storm" that our family experienced. We can view the circumstances with eyes that see God as a mean and unloving God, a God who doesn't care and who doesn't answer prayer. We could be like Job and cry out "WHY GOD?!" Or we could open our eyes to see the circumstances in which God manifested Himself to us and affirmed that He was with us in the midst of the storm. As you can see from my testimony, there were blessings in the midst of the trauma, the pain, the loss and the disappointment. With each blessing, God was saying, "I'm here. I hear your prayers. I love you. I will never leave you nor forsake you." My response was and remains today, "God, even when I don't understand, I still choose You." * Name has been changed.  Licensed with Shutterstock Saints now get ready, for surely they come. My children are coming, both daughter and son. They are arising out of sleep and their slumber. They are coming in, in a very great number. Out of the trees, like shadows they emerge. Out of the dark, into the light, The children are coming out of the night. Make yourself ready, open your doors. Open your hearts, for they come, even more. Carried on shoulders of the humble, they come. Forsaken and broken, both daughter and son. You have been praying, do not give up now. For they are coming and they may be loud. They may be silent or they may be sad. But for sure, they are coming, now prepare and be glad. The searchlight is shining in this coming year, Seeking the lost and bringing them near. The harvest is ready, my workers are few. But I am bringing them home, and I am counting on you. It may not be easy, it may even be hard. But they will walk up your sidewalk and into your yard. For you have been praying and they will come home. Now, you must be ready, don't leave them alone. Awakened from slumber, awakened from sleep. They return to be sober, out of the snare of the hunter, the beast. They may be shaky, they may not be well, when they arrive out of this hell. Be patient I tell you, for this is my Bride, Who has been broken, now escaped from the snare, no longer to hide. She arises and awakens, my heart is longing for her return. So as she awakens, know my heart for her burns... For my daughters, my sons, my heart beats with excitement. My daughters, my sons, with such a fervent delightment. Come home, come home. The light is on, the fire is burning, Come home, come home. Come home, both God and your parents for you are yearning. Your sisters, your brothers, will meet you there, As you come through the yard and climb up the stairs. Saints, be ready, make a place in your home, Make a place in your heart, for all are my own. Prepare the ring, kill the fattest calf, Make yourself ready, for my children are coming home, They return at last. "For this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate." Luke 15:24  Licensed with Shutterstock Sitting in the corner of my mind, this is what I find. Areas's unexplored, places I am bored. What is my potential? What can be done? If only I will open up my mind to Jesus Christ the Son. Words upon a page, now upon my heart. We have the mind of Christ, that is where we start. The journey isn't over, we must stand up and move. Out of the corner, and away from the ordinary groove. See the sky above, the sea rushing to the shore. This once again reminds us of Who we are living for. Feel the breeze upon your face. God is big. He gives you space. Do not stay sequestered in a tiny room, in front of your computer. Step out into creation, and take a look around. Pursue His majestic handiwork, the mighty mountains or the rushing stream. Step out of your corner and once again begin to dream. Dream--break free. Let go of the tiny little place, so you can begin to grow. When an eagle in the nest no longer fits, it is best--to FLY. Fly high, soar in the sky and be free. Life is all around you, love is in your wings. The corner is too small, you must begin to sing. You must begin to love, you must begin to fly. For you were created for His majesty on high. Stand up and move away, From things that make you paralyzed and keep you tucked away. It is time to break free. Start this very day. If the Son shall make you free, you are free indeed.  Original art by Holly Otten "Daniel" In Papa’s arms you’ll sleep tonight, But not under a starry night, Beneath a sunny, warm, bright glow The Father’s love all up there know. Oh little babe I see you now, Perfectly formed and well endowed, While seraphim and angels see To all your little baby needs. Little siblings someday you’ll have, They’ll stay to make your parents glad. But in God’s time one day you’ll meet The appointed time when all’s complete. So little baby, rest, play and grow, My heart dreams now, one day I’ll know The little one who left so fast, But kept our hearts to hold us fast, Fast to hope and faith and love, Trusting our Father up above, Helping our hearts to not be bound, To what we see and nothing beyond. |
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