Expectations...

My husband and I were recently talking about the whole MS, vitamin D therapy, and supernatural healing thing. ;)

When I was a little girl (I'm sure most of you have heard this story, so I'll keep it brief), I had a viral joint disease. My family carried me around, as it was painful for me to walk. I really don't remember much, not even the pain. I do remember two things, though: 1 - I have a faint memory of getting to eat, I think it was brownies, for breakfast one of those mornings - because brownies fix everything right? Apparently, I learned this at an early age! I will blame this on my Mom! :) and  2 - I remember my dad standing me up/holding me up on their water bed and praying for me. The Drs said it was very rare, there was no cure. They didn't know what was gonna happen.  If it spread to my spine, it could paralyze me. My Dad prayed, and then one day God healed me. Just like that. That simple.

Anyways, when this whole MS thing went down, it felt so much like an attack, yet another attack on my ability to move. The enemy had already tried to take that away from me and God healed me, Why was this happening again? I still don't have that answer...completely! :) I know this hasn't been from God, but I know He's using it.

Anyways, back to my discussion with my husband. We were talking about faith and how we need to follow WHERE God is leading US! We have a unique journey. God doesn't have a one-size-fits-all approach. When Naaman went to Elisha to be healed, Elisha told him to go and wash seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman wasn't thrilled with this idea. In fact, it says in 2 Kings 5, "But Naaman went away angry and said, 'I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.'" He was angry about how things went down. He had different expectations for how things were going to be handled, but when he followed Elisha's directions - his healing came!

I feel very much like Naaman right now, but maybe we could say I'm a bit confused rather than angry! It's not that I'm ungrateful. I am EXTREMELY grateful to have found a natural and fairly simple protocol that will put MS into remission. I am TRULY thankful and grateful. But if I am honest - this is not how I wanted it to be. This is not what I was expecting. I was expecting for God to show up with another supernatural miracle. I was expecting another story to bring glory to His name. Another story to impress the medical professionals who have seen the 20+ lesions on my brain and spine. But at least for right now, that doesn't seem to be the path I'm on.

But you know what? There is so much along the way. There are so many stories of the day to day miracles, the  day to day comfort and guidance - stuff that wouldn't be here if a miraculous event took care of everything all at once. The day to day miracles, the simple guidance and provision, these are the things we need to remember and focus on. These are the things we need to be grateful for. Let's not lose sight of the daily miracles, because we are disappointed God worked in a way we weren't expecting.

Speak life...

One of the specialists I'm working with recently left me a message assuring me I would return to "normal" - even better than normal!!! He spoke casually and with such confidence, not like he was trying to convince me, but he was just confident of it. Can I tell you how awesome it is to hear that?

My husband has had this deep confidence that I'm gonna be alright, that I'm gonna be healed. He's not hyping it and trying to convince me or himself. He's just had this steady confidence and when I'm down, he tells me, "You're gonna get better!!!" Do you know how healing those words are to hear? In the beginning, when I had NO IDEA what was going on - while I was picking out his wife in case I died of a brain tumor - he'd just hold me as I cried and then tell me, "It's gonna be ok. You're gonna be alright." 

I have a friend who has consistently gone into prayer for me and sends Scripture images as God lays them on her heart. I've printed many of them and put them in my medical book as my pastor's wife recommended. When I was at a really dark place in the hospital, my Mom took them out and held them up for me to read and they breathed LIFE into me!!!

It's a great reminder how important our words are!!! I'm not big on lying or denying what's really happening ;), but finding God's perspective and declaring HIS truth and LIFE can be so powerful!!! Who around you needs you to speak HOPE and LIFE into their situation today? Be on the look out, pray, and see who God shows you!!! Maybe it's the cashier at the grocery store or a neighbor kid. Maybe it's a friend at work or a family member in your own home. Be on the look out and SPEAK LIFE!!! Never underestimate how powerful your words can be!!!