On the morning of October 3rd, 2005, as I left for work, my aunt who was staying with us, was not feeling well. I offered to stay with her, she insisted that she'd be alright. I called my son, my prayer partner, when I got to work, and asked him to pray for aunt Beverly. As I placed the phone down, I got the sudden urge, that it was I in need of prayer, so I called him back almost immediately, and requested prayers for myself. I needed to make a few major decisions.
No more than 30 minutes later, I suffered a major stroke. In route to the hospital, I was overcome with fear. Fear of not knowing what was going wrong with me, and fear of dying. About ten minutes into the ride, it was as if I was not alone any more. "Why are you so afraid, don't you claim to know God?" "Call on Him." "Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you." Jer. 29:12 I prayed to God, I pleaded for help, and I was given such a peace. "Peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." No matter what, everything was going to be alright.
My aunt, who was told over seven months ago, that she would die in six weeks, to three months, is a living testimony, that "He whom God keeps, is well kept." Who's report do we believe, the doctors, or God's? We to often settle on the bad prognosis, and we begin making changes in our lives, mentally, and emotionally, preparing for sickness, and suffering.
God is not the author pain and destruction. He is he is the author of life, peace, grace and mercy.
I was told by doctors, and therapists, that if I did walk again, it would be with a cane. I was told, I'd probably never have use of my right side, especially my hand. I was told that I'd have multiple strokes, and my condition would become worse over time. Ha! I had a decision to make. My song now was, "Make me over again, dear Lord." I had to trust God, and believe that, if my body was the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, then I had to make it worthy, and acceptable. He who begun this good work in me, is faithful to complete it. And He's doing that. I have to trust God for healing, and not accept the doctors report. Even when, it seems no visible signs of full recovery, I must still trust God. Like Elijah, with persevering faith, we may present our petitions to the Father, claiming all that He has promised.
It is not right to say that pain and death, comes from God when to Him we are to go for refuge. This battle over, life and death, will continue until the second coming of Christ, and "all things become new." So, like Elijah we are to persevere in prayer until our petitions are answered.
God did not promise
sun without rain,
light without darkness,
or joy without pain.
He only promised us strength for the day
when the darkness comes
and we lose our way.
For only through sorrow
do we grow more aware
that God is our refuge
in times of despair.
For when we are happy
and life's bright and fair,
we often forget
to kneel down in prayer.
But God seems much closer
and needed much more
when trouble and sorrow
stand outside our door.
For then we seek shelter
in His wondrous love
and we ask Him to send us
help from above.
And that is the reason
we know it is true
that bright, shining hours
and dark, sad ones, too,
Are part of the plan
God made for each one,
and all we can pray is, "Thy will be done!"
(Helen Steiner Rice)
CONTACT KEFFIE A, AT:- keffieb@aol
P.O.BOX 656
ARP, TX 75750
PH. 903-565-4062
Telephone
242-322-6273
Postal address
PAUL MILLER
P.O.BOX N8993
NASSAU, BAHAMAS.