At Christmas I found out I had a raging infection in my tooth: an old root canal had failed and needed to be retreated.  When I went to the endodontist for the corrective procedure, I had an opportunity to share how Jesus had healed me of MS (because of previous meds I no longer had to take). While waiting for the numbing effects to kick in, my dental assistant (maybe in her 40’s) told me she felt God had sent me in that day just for her.  Turns out both she and the doctor are believers in Jesus.

When she told me her story, I was deeply moved.  She had recently been widowed and had two children; a son finishing high school, and a daughter who was in college, hoping to go to dental school.  It was her daughter who weighed heavily on her heart.  This young, 23-year-old woman happened to find a lump in her breast, and the mammogram and following ultrasound led to the need for a biopsy.  The biopsy was taking place the following week, the first week of January 2021.  This precious dental-assistant-mom had already experienced so much heartache, that the thought of possibly losing a child brought her incredible fear.  She didn’t know how she could handle such a thing.

But there I was, telling her how Jesus had healed me of MS after living with it for 25+ years.

So, she asked me to pray…or maybe I volunteered.   But bottom line, Myra* was being lifted up in prayer to Jesus for healing.  For long life.  To be able to go to dental school.

My retreatment that day didn’t fix everything, and I’d need another procedure to open up the gum in order to remove other areas of infection that had gone deep into the bone.  And that required insurance authorization.

So I waited.  One month.  Then two months.  Insurance was “a little behind”, so I’d need to wait another month.  Finally, after 3 ½ months, when I started feeling pain and knew I couldn’t wait any longer, the authorization came, and my appointment for the procedure was scheduled…for two weeks later.   Antibiotics and steroids to reduce swelling were prescribed.  Needless to say, I felt relieved when they called saying they were able to take me in four days earlier than scheduled.

Finally, last Saturday arrived, and when I got to the endodontist office, I had the same dental assistant!  I told her I wanted to hear about her daughter, but the office was very busy and there was no time to talk.  When she had to leave early, I was disappointed, but knew there might be more opportunities to hear what had happened with Myra.

And then Wednesday, 4 days later, my sutures started coming out.  They weren’t supposed to. Nor would they dissolve on their own.  I called the office and was told to come back so they could be replaced.

This whole situation seemed so incredibly strange!  Why in the world would this be happening?

Two words:  God’s timing.

So Thursday I went in to have my sutures replaced, and guess who my dental assistant was…yup,  Myra’s mom.  As soon as she saw me, she told me she’d wanted to tell me about her daughter on Saturday.  She said she was doing well in her master’s program, though she was in the middle of exams.  I pressed her and asked, “How did her biopsy go?  What were the results?”

She answered, “No biopsy.  It was a miracle.”

She said they’d gone together and (1^st miracle – remember this was in January’s Covid surge) they let her accompany Myra.  The doctor had looked at the ultrasound that had been sent over with them and saw a large tumor.   While a new ultrasound was being done to get proper placement for the biopsy, Myra’s mom asked the doctor what he expected to happen.  When he told her there was a large tumor, fear gripped her.  Then he left to do the biopsy.

Very soon, another doctor was called in, and Myra’s mom thought something was very wrong and feared the worst.  A few more minutes passed before the doctor came to speak with her again.

He didn’t know how to explain it.  When the ultrasound was done…They. Found. Nothing.   It was as if the ultrasounds were from two different people.  Confirmed by two doctors and several sets of eyes.  No biopsy needed!

Praise to our God of miracles!  Myra was healed in Jesus’ name!!

So why this timing?  Why did I have to wait so long to find out this incredible news?

Well, last Wednesday my friend Louise, texted that she was going in that afternoon for a repeat mammogram, and asked me to pray with her.  I did, but it turned out that she, too, needs a biopsy.  Louise needed to hear this encouraging news, and our God of miracles knew the perfect time for it to be delivered.  He was faithful to His promise to use all things for good (Romans 8:28) – even waiting for a failed root canal to get treated.

I also needed to hear this news at this time.  The same day my stitches were falling out and Louise was having her mammogram, happened to be my mom’s birthday.  And my mom died of breast cancer (although, the Lord gave her 15 extra years following her mastectomy). Yeah, I’m sure you get it.  God knew my faith needed bolstering as well, as I prayed for Louise.  I know better than most that He’s a God of miracles, but I can still become more focused on the giants I’m facing, rather than on our Almighty God.  This perfect timing has refreshed my faith and I know He’s got more miracles ahead for all of us!

So, what are you facing today?  Does your faith need encouraging?  May I challenge you with whatever it is you’re going through, to thank the Lord for it and ask Him to use it to glorify His name?  I think you’ll be absolutely amazed by all that He will do through you, as a result!!

“Lord Jesus, I praise You  for these signs and wonders You have performed in Your All-Powerful Name.  Thank you for the encouragement they bring. I ask You, please, to give us strength and courage for the situations You have allowed into our lives.  And would You use them to bring glory to Your Name?  Thank you, my Savior and my God.  Amen.”

*Name changed to protect privacy