Four Years…

I opened my eyes and thanked the Lord for this glorious new day that I’d been anticipating for several weeks.  July 30^th was finally here!  The day the forecasters had promised cooler weather would arrive in Southern California.

Life with Multiple Sclerosis is very difficult in hot weather; and boy, had it been hot, as temps near 110 degrees cooked our region.  I was experiencing one of my worst MS flare-ups in years, so the prospect of cooler weather brought renewed hope that my symptoms would improve.  Even a small improvement would be welcomed!

My husband and I were coming through a difficult season.  He was recovering from spinal meningitis and sepsis, having almost died.  I was recovering from pneumonia, possibly due to a side effect of a new MS medication.  So, my doctor had taken me off of all MS meds a month earlier and was treating this debilitating disease with vitamins and diet.  It seems I wasn’t doing well with this treatment, either.

As I got out of bed, putting my feet on the floor I fully expected my legs to be stronger, supporting my body, being able to walk without assistance.  But…it wasn’t so.  I was in the same weakened state in which I’d been for several weeks.

I was disappointed.

No, I was devastated.

And I wondered if this “new normal” would be my life for years to come.

As I did every morning, I grabbed my coffee and headed out to the porch, holding onto doors and chairs so I wouldn’t stumble.  I began my Bible study time with prayer and worship, singing songs of praise to my precious Savior.

My focus for the year was 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Rejoice always.  Pray continuously.  Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  So, I thanked the Lord for His faithfulness during the past 25-½ years that I’d had MS.  I told Him I trusted He would get me through this, one day at a time, as He had done faithfully from the beginning.  But soon I began to weep as I poured out my heart to Him.

“Jesus, I’m growing weary of this battle.  Would you, please, just heal me?” I asked.

Immediately I felt something on the back of my left leg.  I mean, IMMEDIATELY!!  Not a jolt but an unusual sensation.  Could it be that Jesus had answered my prayer and I was being healed?  I couldn’t believe it, but I knew something miraculous had happened!!  I began weeping tears of joy and gratitude as I thanked Jesus over and over for what He was doing.

I got up from the chair, testing my legs for strength.  I walked easily to the door and stepped over the threshold, not hanging onto anything – and didn’t trip! I felt strong! I had energy!

I quickly grabbed my phone and called my husband to tell him what was happening.  He couldn’t believe it either but we knew God had answered a simple prayer of faith, at the time that was right for His purposes.

So are you asking, “Yes, but did it last?”

Today is the fourth anniversary of that day on the porch…and I have been healthy and strong ever since.

 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”   Matthew 7:7-8