Leaving the hospital that Sunday afternoon, I was thrilled that Peter was healed and that I was obedient when God asked me to pray for him. It would have been much easier to walk away. Would God have punished me for that? Of course not! But...I would have never witnessed the second miracle in this story.
When I prayed for Peter, I quoted the scripture that God will ‘give life to our mortal bodies.’ This is His promise. I did not pray for healing because Peter was almost dead and needed life only God could give.
Throughout the week following my visit with Peter, I reflected on what happened in that hospital room and prayed: “Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the opportunity to pray for Peter and allowing me to be a part of this miracle.”
Does that mean God would not have healed him if I had not been there? Perhaps. Does it mean I had to be the one who prayed? Maybe. But God always has a plan. God knows how we are going to respond when He asks us to do something. God knows how He is going to bless us when we step out of our comfort zone to do what He asks even when we face difficulties of our own.
The week after the
miracle, life spiraled downward for me. My husband’s job search rendered no
results and we sank deeper into debt each day.
One dark, rainy November
evening our twenty-year-old car stopped dead on the highway. I put the hood up,
sat in my car, and wept. No one stopped to help. I felt so alone. Clayton’s job
search took him out of town. Christmas approached, but we had no money to buy
gifts for the kids. And definitely, no money to fix the car.
During my pity party, I sensed God’s rebuke. Gently, yet firmly, He spoke to my heart, “If I can heal Peter, why would you entertain the thought I can’t take care of you?”
Wow! That hit hard. Many
times, we have faith for others but when it comes to our own lives, we fail
miserably.
No phone. No
flashlight. I had no choice but to walk in the blackness in search of a service
station.
Rain poured, but I kept
my pace over rocks and dirt. Finally, at the top of the exit ramp, I saw a gas
station.
Nearly in tears and out of breath, I reached the station. “Can you please help me? My car broke down on the highway. I didn’t run out of gas; it just stopped dead but I managed to get it off the road and onto the shoulder.”
The young attendant nodded and smiled at me, “Ma’am, I’ll call a tow truck for you, but you’ll have to be in your vehicle when it arrives.”
If tears had fallen on my cheeks, they would have blended with the rain dripping from my hair. But I stayed calm and thanked him; walking down the hill would be easier and faster.
I arrived at my car
chilled and frightened but then I remembered God’s words to me. I didn’t
understand it but knew God was going to take care of me. He promises in Romans
8:28 all things work together for our good. Not some things; but all things. I
chose to trust that Word and stay focused.
Does God have His own clock?
Clayton and I lived on a peninsula requiring a ferry trip to and from the city. The last ferry of the day was 9:30 PM. It was now 8:00 PM but God was fully aware of what time it was. He also knew I would not have any place to stay if I could not get home that evening. There was no way I could contact Clayton and he didn’t know my dilemma.
“Heavenly Father, I know nothing surprised you tonight. I know you orchestrate my life. I know you love me and will take care of me. I choose to believe that everything will work out better than I could imagine. For these things I thank you.”
Praying those words out loud in my car gave me the strength I needed.
The tow truck arrived and I rode with the driver to the nearest full-service station. I expected the mechanic to have a solution but he shrugged his shoulders.
“Sorry, Ma’am, we’re about to close. I’ll have someone look at it tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? Do you have any idea what could be the problem?” I pleaded for even a hint of reassurance.
“Sorry, I can’t even guess until I have a look.”
The tow truck driver asked me if I needed a lift to the ferry. “It’s right on my way. I’d be happy to drive you there.”
I wanted to hug him but
instead, I signed relief and gave him a big smile. “Thank you.”
Where will I get the money for the cab drive home? How am I going to pay the mechanic? No money for food or essentials...and now this!
Part two of this story will make you shout "Hallelujah" as well as encourage you that God knows what you need and when you need it.
