FIVE YEARS!

I’m celebrating a milestone this weekend: it’s been five years since Jesus healed me of Multiple Sclerosis! Five years ago, on July 30, 2018, after living with MS for 25 ½ years!

Twenty-five years is a L-O-N-G time, and I’ve often thought about the significance of it.

Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for the child the Lord had promised them in their old age. In that long waiting period, they tried to take matters into their own hands, which caused some really difficult situations.  But when I came down with MS, even though I’d begged the Lord for healing, He didn’t give me a promise like that.  He merely promised He would be with me every step of the way and told me to trust Him.

So, I did.

Sometimes it felt like that was the hardest thing ever.

But He was ALWAYS faithful to His promise.  He taught me that I could have a full, rich, joy-filled life living that way.  And many of you witnessed the amazing things “we” accomplished when I walked in faith and trust in my Lord Jesus Christ. I learned to talk with Him before I did anything, asking if it was His will and if He would give strength and provision to fulfill the task or commitment. If He said, “Yes”, He always provided, miraculously on many occasions.  If He said no or didn’t give a clear yes and I bulled forward in my own (weak) strength, it most often wouldn’t go well.

The Lord showed me that just because I’d “always” done something a certain way, it could be accomplished just as well in different ways. One thing this applied to was singing and playing my guitar.  I couldn’t stand up any longer to sing. But instead of giving up, the Lord showed me that with MS I could sit on a stool and have more strength to sing!  He allowed me to become a worship leader, despite being disabled.  And it gave others with disabilities permission to seek accommodations so they, too, could serve the Lord according to their abilities.

When I had to retire from work due to my disability, He provided financially, allowing me to be approved for disability pay as soon as possible.  When I wondered if my boyfriend would stick around despite this illness, the Lord showed me that, although people will always let us down, He alone is faithful. I should trust Him, and He would work things out for good.  It’s such a blessing that Keith had the heart of a servant.  Even still, it took three years for me to trust he wasn’t gonna bail on me.

 In all those years, the Lord gave me contentment, peace, and joy amid the trial.  He was faithful then and is faithful still.

Then when the “fullness of time had come”, when His purposes had been fulfilled for that season, Jesus answered my prayer to be healed. You can read more details about that day here: https://gardenlessonsbook.com/four-years/

So, what have I been doing these five years?

 A lot of praying, caregiving and serving the Lord in new ways.

God’s timing was perfect for me to be able to help care for my dad and stepmom long distance as unexpected health challenges hit them.  After Patty passed and Dad needed more care, we moved him closer to us here in Fullerton. I was so blessed to be with him nearly every day in the last year of his life. Had I still had MS there’s no way I would have been able to keep up that relentless pace.

I’ve prayed for my neighbors as I’ve been able to take long walks and meet so many I couldn’t when I was disabled.  The Lord led me to invite the ladies in our neighborhood to join a Bible study in our backyard.  Thirteen of us are finishing up our third year studying and worshiping our Lord together. I’m still leading worship for Community Bible Study from September – May, as well. But now I stand on strong legs as I sing and play guitar.  And I’m enjoying life with my wonderful husband, who was willing to put up with all those struggles for so many years.

Each year as this date approaches, I reflect on all that happened that day, the days leading up to it, and all that’s happened since. I still weep with joy over all that my precious Lord has done in me and for me.  I share my healing story often; many times being met with skepticism. But it’s those of you who walked and prayed me through those 25 ½ years who are most amazed at this incredible miracle from the Lord.

So, will you rejoice and praise our Almighty God with me today? He has done great things!!

“…for I am the LORD, your healer.” Exodus 15:26

My Precious Lord Jesus, Blessed Controller of all things, thank You for healing me. I cannot wait to thank You in person, Face to face. I will be forever grateful. I pray this in the All-Powerful Name of Jesus, Amen.