God sees, hears and knows everything including prayers! Nothing escapes His attention.
PSALM 116:1-2
" I LOVE THE LORD, FOR HE HAS HEARD MY VOICE AND MY PLEA FOR MERCY. BECAUSE HE INCLINED HIS EAR TO ME, THEREFORE I WILL CALL ON HIM AS LONG AS I LIVE."
As I ponder what God has done for me so far. It's only fitting that this verse is my pledge. God has been so good to me. When I think about all the pains I've been through (mentally) and how He delivered me through those, I need to be reminded that He was faithful to me from the beginning. And the pain of childbirth...wow was He there helping me every step of the way! I remember my fourth child's birth like it was yesterday. I had the ability to have a safe homebirth in the water for the first time. And all the anxiousness I had towards it was lifted by much prayer from me, my husband and friends. The Lord truly delivered!
Just recently, last week, a flare up in my disease arose. It was Father's Day and everything was going smoothly. I helped my husband prepare a BBQ meal and cleaned up for him. But suddenly after an afternoon nap I felt like my body was aching all over. It felt like the flu but worse! I usually can withstand the flu but this was just so painful. I've already taken a medication in the morning that supposedly lasts for 12 hours so I didn't want to double dose and take another. There wasn't anything I can do but cry it out. And I typically don't cry over pain. Even when I went through childbirth. So this was unusual to me.
We were getting ready to leave for evening service. Something I didn't want to miss especially since our friend was to be announced as an Associate Pastor. My husband suggested that I should stay home and rest. But I insisted on wanting to be there. So we sat in the back room so that I could sit comfortably. My husband tried to massage my back but I kept feeling pain all over. You could tell by the way I looked that I was in pain. I couldn't even smile or look at anyone. Then 30 minutes into the service I gave up and told my husband that I needed to go in the car and moan a little trying to fight the pain. As I laid there trying to rest my mind was not clear to pray. I couldn't even think of praying cause I was distracted.
After service my husband took me home and allowed me to rest in my bed. I was feeling cold like I had the chills and quickly put on a sweater and blanket. I slept in a cradling position hating that I felt that way. I was vulnerable and weak. As soon as I woke up I felt a little better. I soon got a text from my friend Bonnie who goes to our church and she said she prayed for me cause my husband told her at church that I wasn't feeling well. And I believe God used that very prayer to help me. The next day I was on my way to recovery and I got a FB message from Amy Gordon who just knew I was struggling that day. She said she prayed for me and that too gave me more faith that the Lord was near. I decided to take on the task of washing my car and did chores around the house. I texted my husband that I had so much strength it's crazy! And he texted back "I prayed for you this morning." I'll never forget how God has used the simplest tools like prayer and confirmation through friends and family that God still loves me.
The next day, there was a sister from another church in Natomas that called me out of the blue and wanted to ask me for advice because of the similar affliction she's going through. And all I can remind her of was that God wants us to cling to Him and pray for dependence on His strength to get through this trial. All the glory will go to Him and He is honored in a great way. I pray that God would use this affliction for His glory and my sanctification. And that he would teach me how to pray during the times I'm in pain.
