Fingerprints of God

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged, there has been a lot going on and I’ve not been quite sure what to say. I’ve not been well, health-wise. I hope and pray it’s not serious. It has been ongoing and I’ve been undergoing many tests, that’s part of the reason for my silence. Not quite sure what to say. I’ve been passing out, for some strange reason, when I eat or drink, occasionally and it was not known why. So I have been through batteries of tests that showed nothing. Yesterday, however, I underwent a test that actually yielded some results! Here is what they found, I have two glands that are sensitive and when stimulated by pressure, heat or cold they cause my heart rate and blood pressure to plummet and then I pass out. So I have answers.

I read a dear friend’s blog yesterday and it changed how I looked at this news. I would like to link to it and share from it. Here is the link http://ryancatanddogvaughn.blogspot.com/2011/06/perfect-masterpiece.html?spref=fb and here is the story that touched my heart.

“I heard the most wonderful example of God's love for us at a Bible Study a while back. The speaker was telling the story of her little boy creating things out of playdoh. She said he was working very hard on his creation and handed it to her when he was done. He said, "It's perfect." She was examining it and trying to think of positive things to say about the lump of different colors. "Oh, you are really creative." And, "Wow, this is something." The little boy could tell his mother wasn't very impressed and said to her, "Mommy. You know why this is so beautiful and perfect? It has my fingerprints all over it."”

So as I read this, tears welled up in my eyes and I began to see how these glands that I was viewing as terrible mistakes that were causing me such distress were actually the fingerprints of my Maker. I’m so thankful that after months of testing I have an answer of why it’s happening. I know that there is a reason my glands are so sensitive and although I don’t understand I know my Father does. He created me perfectly in His image. When He looks at me in my brokenness He sees His fingerprints all over and in me, covered by the Blood of His precious Son and that makes me perfect.

I’m choosing to be optimistic about this because I know that my God has a plan for me.

“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

A trip down memory lane...

I’m having a bit of flashback; not in a bad way but looking back over the way that God has provided for me and my family over the years. He’s been so good and real to us. Here is an example of one time when God provided for us in a very tangible way. It not only provided for us financially and medically, but it provided for us spiritually.

It was 2006, Christmas time. Monkey was not well. The seizures had gotten so bad that I didn’t know how we would get through; we’re talking about using rescue meds almost every day and just waiting for the day when they wouldn’t work. That day came the day after Christmas when she began seizing and wouldn’t stop. The doctors told me that there was only so much her little body could handle. If they didn’t get the seizures to quiet soon, she might not make it.

When we finally took her home from that stay, I was unable to return to work due to her medical condition. It was then that God began to really make Himself known. Monkey’s medication co-pay was over 900.00 a month. With me not working things were more than tight, they were impossible financially. Fortunately, God specializes in the impossible! My husband, who wasn’t saved at the time, got to see firsthand how The Living God can provide!

It was January, the day prior to needing refills on the medicine and I didn’t have the money to pay for the meds. I knew we would be unable to buy them. How would we provide her lifesaving medication?

Here is how God took an impossible situation and turned it around to not only providing for us financially but to glorify Himself and bring a man who thought he could do it all to the knowledge that he couldn’t do it all, there was a point where he would have to say to Jesus, I need you.

My husband came into the bedroom and found me praying and asking God to give us the exact amount of money for Monkeys medicine. I’ll never forget how he asked if I really thought that a check was just going to “show up”. He was a bit sarcastic but the next day a check arrived in the mail. He brought the envelope in and when I opened it we just were so thankful! It was for the exact amount of her medicine for the whole month! There was a family from my church who sent it; they said that they felt led by God to send it. It was the exact amount down to the penny! My husband was very quiet afterward; I know now that God was working within him, breaking down the walls that kept him from believing. I am so thankful for the faithful family who sent that check…I pray for them often that God pours out the Heavens upon them here on earth!

Acts 14:27 tells us that we should rehearse among ourselves all that God has done…this is what He did, I know He is able to keep us no matter what the situation. Do you ever look back on what God has done for you? Not only does it inspire us to give thanks, it builds our faith in Him and He is deserving of that! Remember often and be sure to tell people about what God has done for you. It might just be the thing that He uses to break down their walls…

You have not because you ask not…

In Luke 11:9 Jesus says ask and it will be given, seek and we’ll find and knock and the door will be opened up to us…So what are we asking for?

Yesterday morning before I even rose from the bed I asked God for a person to tell about Him. Just please send someone to me to share about Jesus and allow me to see it as the opportunity it is. And then of course came the usual morning routine complete with where are my shoes, did I charge my iPod last night, rise and shine sleepy heads! I forgot I’d even asked for that cause truly I was still half asleep, just drifting…

The knock on the office door came around 10am, I didn’t hear it but was getting ready to leave for a bit so I opened the door and standing outside was a man I recognized but didn’t know. He was looking for a piece of equipment so in he came looked and didn’t find what he was looking for so I was quick to usher him to the door. Casually, and to honest I didn’t really care what the answer was, I asked how he was doing. His answer took me by surprise. “I suppose you heard I was robbed and stabbed last month, almost bled out but I’m okay now.” Not the answer I was expecting but it got my attention. He told me of the incident and how it happened in broad daylight in a heavily populated area but no one saw a thing. He issued the warning to be aware of my surroundings and to always be on guard. There were a few things that came to mind but the overwhelming still small voice said, “Here is your someone, now what will you do?”

“If the knife had been a 1/8” over and severed your artery do you know where you would have gone if you died?”

“You mean my body?”

"No, your soul."                                                                                                                                                                                

“I’d like to think I’d go to Heaven…I hope I would anyways.”

“Why do you think you would go to Heaven? Why would they let you in?”

“Well, when I was a little boy I asked Jesus to save me, I’ve not lived right and I haven’t been the man I should be. Do you think I’d go to Heaven?”

“I know it’s possible to be sure.”

“I can’t believe you asked me about this, you are the only person who has ever asked me this.”

“I prayed this morning for someone to share about Jesus with today and here you are.”

“Can I come in and talk for a few minutes?’

And so began the conversation that led to him into my office, straight to the foot of the cross and then walking out my office door with a new countenance and a bit of a spring in his step…yes, a slight limp still but he said he felt the weight of the world lifted off him. He met Jesus and my prayer was answered.

I’m so thankful I took the time to ask the question that I didn’t care to know the answer for at the time because I was “busy”. Makes me wonder how many times my prayers have almost been answered but I was so caught up with my own selfishness I missed it…

What have you prayed for today? How was it answered? Share the love…