Faith like a Child

A few weeks ago my 2 and a half year old daughter Kaitlyn had a fever of about 102.5.  We all laid hands on her and prayed for God to quickly heal her and bring down the fever.  I also called the Dr. to make sure that they weren't concerned about it and life carried on at our house.  At lunch time, as Kaitlyn was sitting across from me she sweetly explained that something supernatural was happening, "Mommy, my ear hurts me, but Jesus is healing it. It will be fine." My heart leaped at the adorable statement of my child. "Oh, thats wonderful Kaitlyn. He certainly will heal your ear." When I told her Daddy later in the day he just smiled and said something like, "hmmm, thats awesome. I'm glad." He didn't really seem surprised nor did he question the validity of her faith filled statement.  To be honest, I hoped that Jesus would heal her ear and I, in part, believed that He absolutely would but there was a part of me that doubted.  I tell the children all the time that God loves them, that He loves to heal and work in our lives and the lives our friends.  They've been part of a few miracles already and they have seen with their own eyes the working of the living true God and yet I still held a seed of doubt.   It was a small kernel but it was there.


Kaitlyn's fever broke that same day and no one else in the family got sick with the exception of me.... Though it was a time of learning and prayer for me, and thankfully the sickness passed quickly.


About a week later Kaitlyn was periodically touching her ear and mentioned again about Jesus healing it.  I told her that we ought to exercise wisdom, something that both the girls and I have been learning about asking for more of, and visit the doctor to confirm that her ear was totally clear.


This is the part where things get good.  Kaitlyn and I were sitting in the doctor's office together, enjoying the sweet peacefulness of our company, just she and I.  We prayed that the doctor we saw would be kind and that God would make Kaitlyn brave.  God does not disappoint.  Our doctor walked in and when he asked Kaitlyn how she was feeling she clearly told him, "Jesus healed my ear, I'm fine."  I laughed, almost nervously.  Now our doctor will think that we're religious nut-jobs!  Then I thought... wait a minute, I think we are... I told the doctor the story of her ear hurting, the fever and how we prayed for Jesus to heal it.  He just smiled.  I told him that I wanted it checked to be sure.  Wouldn't you know that her ears were just fine!  The doctor told me that there was a very small amount of fluid in one of the ears that could have been from a slight runny nose or an ear infection that had cleared up.  I was so happy.  I was so proud of my little girl.  I said aloud, "see Kaitlyn! Jesus really did heal your ear! Praise God!"  The doctor replied with a smile as he walked out the door, "I am sure that Jesus can heal you far better than I ever could."


How wonderful is that?  Kaitlyn just learned the lesson of faithful prayer resulting real healing; and the doctor we saw that day was bold enough to confirm it to her.  Wow, just wow.  I want to receive the kindgom of God like a child.  Happy to believe, quick to sing and praise Jesus, and confident that God loves me, wants me to be well and hears MY sweet prayers.  Your prayers are sweet to God, just like its sweet to me when I hear the girls pray for the Caton's or Uncle Matt Getz, God is moved with the sweetness of our big grown up prayers.  He loves us so much.  He loves us so much that I'll never be able to explain just how much that so much is.


My prayer for today is that we can each learn to let go of what the world has taught us about faith, God and our relationship with him, and begin to openly, un-ashamedly, worship him for who He is and believe Him for what He says he desires to do in our lives.

Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put [his] hands upon them, and blessed them. - Mark 10:14-16

Let your savior lift you in his arms and hold you. I am confident that He wants to.

Our God is Just that Great

Last night I was laying in bed feeling so sad. It was after midnight and we hadn't heard from Matt yet. I was hurt. I love him so much, I have given so much. Sure, I understand that its not easy for him to call and talk with us, he loves us too and it requires emotion and heart. I laid there and started to pray, "Lord, it is so hard to love. I feel like I've given all my heart and I'm getting nothing back." Then, sweetly, the Lord answered me, in the way that He does., (paraphrase) "I know what you're feeling, I gave my life, I gave my own blood, all of my love and so many refuse to receive or return my love for them." Wow. Of course, He is able to understand and relate to my own heart. And even I have been guilty of forgetting to love my savior, of not having enough time for Him, of just pushing him aside because I know that His love for me is unwavering, much like we will always love Matt, regardless of returned love or not.

But again, I know that we are loved by Matt. He is busy. He is having a much harder time than we.

I am learning, again, that when I worship the King my afflictions are eclipsed by His glory. I am understanding that God keeps me in perfect peace when my mind stays on HIM. (Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. - Isaiah 26:3) I am learning that I can worship Jesus and in my openness to God, I don't even need to utter my needs. "You are worthy God!! You are so worthy of my praise! Thank you for loving me!!" He hears that, He sees my heart, He knows my desires.

So then, I will continue in this stead and offer the only sacrifice that my God requires, one of praise. (By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. - Hebrews 13:15) How wonderful. I'm going to continually fill up with the Spirit and give thanks to my God. He loves us so much and He will keep me in peace.