Miracle Monday

Welcome Back to another wonderful week of praising God for His amazing Hand in our lives! God's Word says to "tell of His wondrous works...telling them to the next generation." It is so important to share how God works in our lives. It is so important to tell of His glory.

It is so important to let people know that God is

REAL....

ALIVE...

INTERESTED IN OUR LIVES....

LONGING TO WORK EVERYDAY MIRACLES.

For this week's miracle, I want to share a miracle that God performed on my behalf a few years ago. This is one of my most precious memories. I was thinking about it again when I spoke to a women's retreat and shared the story with them.

My prayer is that it blesses you!

Please don't think that I am "anything special." God wants to do things like this in YOUR life!

Not just in my life.

Not just in Joyce Meyer's life.

Not just in Beth Moore's life.

Not just in the New Testament church.

Today.

For you.

I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your
deeds. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles: You display Your power among the
peoples.-Psalm 77:12-14

Several years ago, I owned a children’s birthday party business, Party Pros, in which I planned creative, themed birthday parties. I would “do” the entire party- the invitations, goody bags, entertainment, and even an elaborate cake. I had a Pirate Party, a Dinosaur Party, a Little Mermaid Party, and the ever popular Cinderella party. This party was so cute. Little girls dressed up, I did their hair and makeup, an invitation comes for the ball, the girls take a carriage ride, and we dance at the lovely ball. To make the girls into princesses, they make crowns and put on “gowns”- dresses cut from pink tablecloth. This party was every little girl’s “dream come true.”

Well, my business had gotten very popular and I had over extended what I could do. But, I loved doing these parties and could not turn down any parent. Summer months tended to be very busy, and one week I had a Thursday evening, Friday evening, and Saturday morning party scheduled. As you can imagine, the planning and preparation was time consuming for these parties, and I had committed to too many parties so close together. So, on Friday evening, after I finished a Pirate Party, and was very tired, I began finishing the preparations for the very large Cinderella party I had planned for the next MORNING. At 11:00 PM, I began cutting 18 dresses for the little girls. After about 7 dresses, I ran out of pink tablecloth.

What was I going to do now?

The pink gowns were a crucial part of the party. I knew Wal-Mart, which was open 24 hours didn’t have pink tablecloth. The party stores where I usually found the pink tablecloth didn’t open the next morning until 9:00 and I had to be at the party for set up by 9:00 at the other end of town.

The situation seemed hopeless. I cried out to the Lord, “God, I am so tired. I‘m so sorry- I confess, Lord, I procrastinated, and should have had this done before now. Please help me, God! I don’t know what to do! I really want the party to be perfect for this little girl. I want to do a good job for her. I know God that with You all things are possible. I trust You and know You will work this all out.”

I went to bed not knowing how God would help me, but feeling peace that He would. But, I still felt the need to control how God was going to help. So, I planned to leave early in the morning, stop at a drugstore on the way to the party to purchase ANY tablecloth, and arrive early enough to cut the remaining dresses. In my mind, I thought God’s plan would be to provide pink tablecloths at the drugstore, or some kind of tablecloth that wouldn’t disappoint the birthday girl. In the “natural,” I couldn’t see how God could help my predicament.

I wasn’t expecting a miracle!

In the morning, I continued to pray. I purchased tablecloth at the drugstore, which was the ugliest floral I had ever seen. It was either that or black. Thinking ugly floral was better than nothing, I grabbed it and hurried off to the party. I refused to lose faith, and continued to pray. I cried out again to God for his help. I said, “God, I have to give this to you! I know you will take care of me. I don’t know how, this seems so impossible.”

In my mind, I thought God would help me cut the ugly floral tablecloths before the party began, and that the birthday girl and her mom wouldn’t be disappointed in them. (Isn't funny how we can put God in a "box" and limit Him with our own ideas?) I continued praying on the way to the party.

When I arrived, the mom was waiting at the door. She had an idea for the party and was hoping I would use it. This mother had been a dancer and owned beautiful dance costumes that she had worn during her performances. She thought it would be very special if her daughter and her daughter’s friends would wear these costumes instead of my tablecloth gowns. She had wanted to ask me earlier, but didn’t want to offend me. Sheepishly, she asked, “Would you mind?”

Would I mind???? Hmmm.....beautiful sequined gowns....pink tablecloth. Which would you choose?

I was speechless. I knew this was the answer to my prayer! But, this was a large party, and I wondered if there would really be enough costumes for all 18 girls. The mother and I counted the dresses one by one and there were exactly 18 beautiful sequined glamorous gowns.

What an answered prayer- a miracle! I knew God was speaking directly to me, wooing me and whispering love songs in my ear. He was rescuing me! My prince in shining armor!

I have to tell you it was an awesome party and I wept and sang the whole way home. God took such care of me. He had given me the desires of my heart and saved me in such a way that I knew it could only have been him! I had limited God in my mind of what He could do, but He was so much bigger than any of my wildest dreams. Like God parting the Red Sea to reveal His glory, He had allowed the mother to delay requesting that I use her gowns so that I would understand the way His hand saved me. If I had planned on using them, I would not have heard His tender love song and see the way He is willing to save me.

Please visit Beth at A Mom's Life for more awesome miracles!

Miracle Monday....scroll down for Gathering at the Well..

For the past couple of times of Miracle Monday, I wrote about my mom and the miracles of her life. She is a hero to me! I thought you might like to read more about her. She truly is a "miracle." Despite all of her trials in life, she has continued to turn to God. Her faith has overcome the most terrible of circumstances. It is really about trusting God when it hurts.

My prayer is that she encourages you!

My mother’s faith is so remarkable, considering all the trials she has had in her life. She had polio as a young child. The doctors told my grandma that my mom would never walk without braces. When they came to fit her for them, she was riding her bicycle in the driveway.

She quit school after 8th grade to work and help her family.

She met and married my father, the love of her life. As a young mother, she lost a 3 -day old baby daughter.

Several years later, when I was 6 months old, my father and my 13- yr. old brother were killed in a boating accident.

As you can imagine, my mother was devastated, feeling as if her world had fallen apart. She was left as a young mother with a 9 year old daughter and a 6 month old baby to raise on her own. In less than a year she remarried and began a new life.

Bob was a creative man who painted beautiful pictures of forests and wildlife, especially owls. He played the guitar and had a soulful voice. I remember him singing “The Green, Green Grass of Home.”

Four years later tragedy hit again in my mom’s life. One stormy night Bob was out on his motorcycle. It was slippery, and Bob was hit by a car.

Bob lost his arm and almost lost a leg in that accident. My mom nursed him through the next 9 months and took care of him while he was in a full body cast for 9 MONTHS. Bob lost more than his arm in that accident- he lost his livelihood and his love of life. He received a large settlement from the accident and didn’t need to work. So Bob began spending his free time and his money wallowing in his pain every day at several bars in our small town. It was common for him to be there by early afternoon every day. He was a bitter, angry man and a mean drunk. My most vivid childhood memories are the fights my mom and stepfather would have after a late night of drinking.

With each passing year, the fighting kept getting worse and he began beating my mom. I can remember the fear I had and the feeling of helplessness. Friday nights were the worst because the drinking that had begun in the day always continued into the late night hours. I remember lying in my bed awake dreading the sound of a car in the driveway because I knew the fighting would begin soon after that.

My mom survived that night and many more beatings, cuts, bruises, and a broken jaw. It wasn’t until Bob molested me that my left him. Because she wanted to protect me, she and Bob divorced immediately. There was no visitation allowed. All ties to Bob were cut completely.

But, through all of this, she has never turned from God and given up on Him. I have never heard her accuse God of not answering her prayers. She has kept the creed that everything happens for a reason and we need to trust in God’s plan. She surrendered her life to the Lord and taught me as a young child to completely put my trust in God. All through her life, she went to God in prayer. Again, it is important to remember that God’s ways are not our ways and that His timing is not our timing.

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

Our trials should never surprise us. We live in a fallen world. Because of sin, because of the presence of evil, life will never be perfect. It’s not that Peter is saying rejoice about this bad thing that is happening to you. No, he is saying rejoice, praise God, worship the Lord during this trial.

My mom instilled in me the belief that “everything happens for a reason.” Many times WE don’t know why, but we have to trust God, and know that HE knows why.” She repeated that saying constantly through my life and she has truly lived her whole life believing it with her heart.

Has she ever cried out in pain and grief, wondering “why?”

I’m sure she has.

Has her faith ever been shaken?

I’m sure it has.

But, it has been this belief and trust in a GOOD God who is faithful that has gotten her through these painful trials. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.” It doesn’t say in all good things, in only pleasant things, or in happy times, but in “ALL things, God works for the good.” And, again, it may not be the “good” that we would choose, but how God chooses.

So many times we pray that we “want to be like Jesus.” What did Jesus come to earth to do? He came to suffer, to die to His flesh, to sacrifice Himself. When we “offer our bodies as living sacrifices,” when we are obedient to God, and when we rejoice in the midst of trials, we are becoming more like Jesus.

Please visit Beth for more Miracle Monday!

Miracle Monday

Last week I began a series of miracles in the life of my mom. I told how she was healed of childhood polio, and even when doctors had little hope of her walking again, God answered the prayers of a little girl. When they came to fit her for leg braces, she surprised nurses because they found her riding her bike!

Today I would like to continue by sharing another story from her childhood. When she was a young teenager, a furnace exploded in her face. Not only did she live, but she has no scarring!

Shirley was babysitting one cold evening in the winter. Back then you had to "bank the furnace" or put coal in the furnace. When she opened the furnace door, it exploded in her face. The flames lept out and her sweater caught fire. Mom put it out with hands. Her hands were burned badly. But, much worse, were the burns to her face.

Back then, doctors said never to put cold water on a burn, but warm. But, in the panic of the moment, she put cold water on it.

She was in the hospital for weeks. Her face was bandaged. She didn't know what she would look like when the bandages came off. The nurses came in to put ointment on face.

Mom prayed for no scarring. She hated being in hospital…she said it was lonely. But....she was able to spend her time talking to God....asking for His help.

When the bandages came off...there was no scarring. Today, she is the most beautiful woman I know.

Please visit Beth for more praise of miracles!

Miracle Monday....the Power of Prayer and Polio

Welcome back to Miracle Monday! It has been so LONG since I have joined in. One thing that has been on my heart for months is to write about my mom. She really is a walking miracle. So, I have decided to share her incredible journey on Miracle Mondays. As I continue to blog about Mom and her life, you, too, will see how God has been over her life, performing great miracles and showering her with His love. My mom has been an inspiration to me, and I pray that she will be to you as well.

So many people "chalk up" miracles to mere coincidence, missing out on God's amazing provision, sovereignty, and mercy. But, my mommy always said, "Everything happens for a reason." We never credited anything to "coincidence". Mom always told me that we don't always understand God, but we always trust Him.

Shirley was born in Streator, Illinois in 1937, in the midst of a very scary time in our country.

Back in the first part of the 20th century, polio was a horrible epidemic that killed children or left them paralyzed. Most of the time, when parents heard the dreaded word, "polio," it usually meant a "death sentence", or a changed life forever.

"I remember waking up in the middle of the night having to go to the bathroom,
but I couldn't move. I called for my dad to help me. I went to
bed just fine.... Dad was crying. He took me to the hospital. I was
scared. It was polio."

My mom was 6 years old when she contracted polio.

This was terrifying because so many children my mom knew and across the country were dying of polio or infantile paralysis . Didn’t know what caused it. It happened to lots of people at a time. If the children survived, it usually meant that they would live in an iron lung or be paralyzed, never to walk again freely. Some would be able to walk with the help of leg braces, but would not be able to run, ride a bike, or live a normal life as a child.

"I remember living in the hospital with polio in the iron lung for
warmth. It was scary. Only my head stuck out. A nurse
stayed with me during the day and my mom at night. The nurse took fluid out of
spine every day. I was so weak."

My mom talked to God when she was in the hospital. She prayed for better health. "Childish" prayers simply asking God to help her...to make her well.
When mom went home from the hospital, she couldn't walk. She was paralyzed from her neck to her toes. She couldn't feel anything. She couldn't feed herself. She was like that at least a year....Mom can't remember all of the details.

Mom prayed.

"God, please give me strength to walk again."

My mom's grandma and Aunt Emma would pray over her.

Shirley remembers having to relearn the easiest "baby milestones", crawling and pulling herself up. She remembers falling down a lot.

Shirley continued to pray . She made up her mind she wasn’t going to be paralyzed.

The nurses and doctors said there was no hope. They said she would need leg braces to be able to walk. They said she would never be able to ride her beloved biclycle again.

So, when the Springfield nurses drove the 2 hours to Streator to fit mom for braces....she was out riding her bicycle in the driveway.

My mom, very slowly, with the Hand of God leading her, learned how to walk again.

It was a MIRACLE.

Please visit Beth at a Mom's Life to read about more miracles.

Cedar Rapids Flooding- Miracles Abounding!

Thank You, Father! Lord, thank You for Your mercy, Your goodness. Lord, I thank You for all of the miracles that we are witnessing during this flooding and for all of the miracles I am sure we will see in the days to come. Lord, thank You for Your outstretched arm......

Even though this has been such a trying week, we are beginning to see such glimmers of hope. When we got up Sunday morning, "things" did not look very good. But, by lunch time we had lots of good news and we are beginning to see rays of hope.

Flood waters were not supposed to recede until later this week, but have gone done significantly today. This is SUCH a miracle! Thank You, God! This means that clean up can begin. For so many, the "fear" is the NOT knowing, so just the fact that we are beginning to KNOW, even if it is heartbreaking, is better than the unknown. Now, we can roll up our sleeves, help one another, and begin cleaning up.

Pictures by Steve Graville of the Gazette

Another miracle has been the incredible outpouring of love in volunteering and helping neighbors. 23,000 had to be evacuated, but the shelters had only about 500 people. Neighbors and families opened their homes and arms to people needing a place to stay. Many businesses also paid for hotels and temporary apartments.

Thousands of sandbagers turned out to sandbag the water well and Mercy Hospital. At times, there was such an outpouring of volunteers that some had to be turned away!

Our church had a call for volunteers during services. Baskets containing the volunteer forms were completely filled.

This flood was 5 on a scale with 6 being highest. Katrina was a 6. The death toll has been 3, and we're not even sure if those are flood related deaths. That is amazing! Thank You, God for Your protection! There have not been any reports of looting.

Please continue to pray! For more miracles to praise God for, please visit Beth at A Mom's Life!

Miracle Monday

It's Monday! And, it's another opportunity to look around in our lives to see how God has worked and is working in our lives. Lord, give me eternal eyes to see You! May I never miss Your hand working in my life. May I NEVER forget or become too proud to give You glory, Lord.

I had the awesome opportunity this past weekend to spend time with my precious mom. She lives "across the miles" and we don't see one another as much as either one of us would like- especially this past winter with all of the bad weather. So, it had been since February...long over due!

My mom is an incredible person and I wish I had more time to tell you how amazing she is. Hmmmm.....maybe another MM. Over the weekend I sat down with mom and asked her to share all she could remember about her childhood. We sat for hours as I asked questioned and she remembered long forgotten details.

I want to share a miracle that mom told me about and that reminded me of Denise when she shared her fire story last week.

When my mom was a teenager she did a lot of babysitting. Once when she was babysitting, she went down to "bank the furnace," which meant she had to put coal into it. When she opened the furnace door, it exploded in her face, burning her badly. Her sweater caught fire and when she put it out, her hands were also badly burned. She said she ran upstairs and put cold water on her face and hands. In those days, doctors did not recommend COLD water on burns, but warm water. Now though, doctors have told my mom that it was the cold water that probably helped her not to scar.

My mom was in the hospital for several weeks with her head wrapped in bandages. She said everyday a nurse would come in and put ointment on her wounds. She did not like being in the hospital because she was lonely and scared. But, she said she turned to God for comfort and prayed constantly for God to heal her and that she wouldn't have scars.

It is amazing- my mom doesn't have one scar on her face or hands. It truly is a miracle!

And, what a miracle to comfort and heal a young girl, both physically and emotionally. Our God is an amazing, gentle, caring, and loving God. He is a God that answers prayers.

I pray, just as the nurse came in to put ointment on my mom every day, that you will turn to Him and allow Him to put His healing ointment on all of your wounds. He wants to heal you of every "fire" and "explosion" you have experienced. Allow Him to comfort you today.

For more amazing miracles, please visit Beth at a Mom's Life!

Miracle Monday

I was out walking in the gorgeous Sunday sunshine when God reminded me of this precious miracle from 15 years ago.

Brian and I were young and immature, both in life experience and our faith. Brian is and was a dedicated and hardworking employee. He had been working for five years at his company straight out of college. A colleague told Brian of a great company looking for "new recruits" in lower level management and that he was going to interview for a position. This person was much more experienced than Brian and had a good "shot" at getting a position. Brian thought this would be a good experience for him, but did not expect to get hired for this position- he was too young and too inexperienced to even be considered. The only thing was this company was located in the Chicago suburbs about 3 hours from our southern Illinois home. It meant starting over in a brand new location, but one that was much closer to all of our family.

Brian really had the attitude that he was going to interview "just for fun" and to gain experience in the interviewing process. But, both of us had this secret hope.....did we dare breathe it? This job would mean a promotion, better pay, more benefits, and a home closer to family. It would be a huge leap in Brian's career. So, we prayed. It was about a 3 hour car trip to the suburb where Brian would be interviewing and as we talked about our future, possibilities, and the fun of getting to take a little "vacation" for a day or two, we prayed to God over this job. I don't think either one of us could have quoted any bible verses except for the Lord's prayer and praying was definitely not a "normal" practice for us. But, in our childlike faith, we knew that God held the "answers" for our future and we turned to Him. We surrendered this possibility to Him. We prayed that if it was "meant to be", He work it all out His way. We were so excited!

Then, the most incredible thing happened. We saw a rainbow! Now, this was not any normal rainbow, but one that had people pulling off the side of the road to get a long look at it. Some people had cameras and were taking pictures. Oh, how I wish we would have had a camera! It was a rainbow that stretched from one side of the highway to the other. It was magnificent!

At that moment, we knew God was giving us a sign! We felt incredible peace about this opportunity and we knew it was in His hands. Brian interviewed for the job and got it- despite his inexperience and his "lack" of qualifications- he got the job! We knew that rainbow was God's way of blessing this new beginning. It was a MIRACLE that Brian got this job!

But, the biggest part of the miracle and the part that not everyone knows, is that God saved me through this miracle. I know He picked me up and literally moved me out of the lifestyle I had been living. I was trapped in a double life, a secret life of sin. I continued to go deeper and deeper into it and I believe it was His Hand that intervened and scooped me out. I don't know where I would be today if we had stayed there. God had different plans for me. He had plans for hope and a future, plans to prosper me and not to harm me. Even though I was not walking with Him, He knew the end from the beginning. He knew that He set me apart for great things. He knew that I was chosen. I am so thankful for His protection and deliverance.

Oh, Lord, how I thank you for your miracles! We don't always see a "rainbow" the way I did, but we can always take comfort that you are forever watching over us, leading us and guiding us. May we continue to surrender our lives to you. Thank you for the miracles you continue to shine down on us. Praise you, Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

For more Miracle Monday, visit Beth at a Mom's Life!

Miracle Monday

I can do all things through Christ!!!!!!

Now, I usually am very careful when I claim this verse because in our generation, it can be an "excuse" to pile on more and more and more and more.....And I have to admit, I have been the "chiefest of sinners" in this area.

"Should do this."

"We really need to do this."

"Everyone is doing that (who IS everyone anyway???)

I have often put unnecessary pressure on myself to volunteer, participate, be involved in ALL things available. I have felt guilt when I have said "no" or when we "skipped out of things."

But, praise God, He has taught me to slow down, how to say "no," and how much is too much. I have learned to let the peace of God rule my decisions. If, as a believer, I am to experience the "peace that passes all understanding" in "all circumstances" (as Paul did), but am feeling "stressed out," then something is wrong. I am either depending on SELF to do the things He is calling me to do, or I am doing things that are out of His will. Ladies, for me, this revelation in and of itself is a MIRACLE! I was the mom who stayed up to 3 AM baking sugar cookies for a preschool class, decorated with each child's name in icing calligraphy!!!!! Crazy! One of my first revelations was that soccer was NOT mandatory, and if Andrew didn't like it, we didn't HAVE to do it!!! God has delivered me from this worldly mindset and it is a miracle! I have had to say "no" to kids at times, volunteer coordinators, and friends. There is a temptation to feel guilty, but when I am filled with the Holy Spirit and depending on Him to lead me, I have been released of that!

Now, after saying all that, I have to say what my miracle was last week! With 5 kids, there will be times when life is busy. And for some families, our lives may seem crazy. That is why I have had to learn to depend on God to show me WHAT and HOW. We had so much going on, but by His grace, I was able to "do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I was able to do the things He was calling me to do, completely at peace, NOT STRESSED out, without any occurrence of Monster Mom. I didn't yell at my kids. I didn't "lose it." Thank you, Lord, because that is a miracle for me! Our week started out calmly with soccer practices Mon. and Tues.

On Wednesdays, we host an after school club with 6 girls (2 of my own) called "God's Girls." It is so fun! We read a bible story about a woman from the bible, learn a verse, journal, and make a craft. This is Aly with her prayer journal basket we made.

On Thursday, we had a birthday party for Aaron, who turned 5. I used to have a children's birthday party business, so I had all of the pirate party supplies. What LOOKS like a lot of work, really wasn't! And, Iris, I did NOT make that cute cake! I was tempted (but knew it would have been too much to do- thank you, God!), but purchased it from Target!

On Friday, Aaron' preschool class took a field trip to the garden center. I helped drive to the field trip and had a great time! We came home and took a nap!

Friday night brought the "Fun Fair", the kids' school carnival. We had a blast!

Saturday, Aaron had a bowling party to go to.....

And later the same day, we had a family roller skating party to attend. By this time, Aaron had had enough and had a major meltdown at the roller rink. Again, by God's grace, and knowing that this little guy had done one too many activities, we "let him be." The "old me" might have been embarrassed and made him put on his skates, but not the "new me"! The old has gone and the new has come, praise God! We gave him some space and he had fun pretending to play pinball. Afterwards, we came home and snuggled and watched a movie. Everyone but Dad and Ashley fell asleep in the middle of it!

Thank you, God, for a wonderful week last and many family memories. Thank you for the miracle of making us new creations. Thank you that transform us. Thank you that your peace rules us, and when we are feeling "unrest" or lack of peace, we know that something is wrong. I thank you for the Holy Spirit and that "your sheep hear your voice." Thank you that when we turn to you, you help us every step of the way. Lord, your way is truly miraculous! Praise you, God! Praise you!

For more miracles, please visit Beth at A Mom's Life:

http://beth-amomslife.blogspot.com/2008/04/miracle-monday_14.html

Miracle Monday

What a Miracle!


It was amazing to see my tulips peeking through the ground this morning! It has been a long, hard winter with record amounts of snowfall. These tulips are planted around my mailbox near the street. I wasn't sure if they would come up with the mounds of snow, ice, and salt piled on them all winter. Praise God!
To read more of God's amazing miracles, please visit Beth at http://amomslife.blogspot.com
Blessings to you on this miraculous day!

Miracle Monday

I love to pray. When I am praying, talking to God, I feel so close to Him. I believe God has called me to be an Intercessor, so whenever someone comes to my mind, I lift her/him in prayer. I pray for the country. I pray for my neighbors. I get several emails asking me to pray for people's concerns, and I keep a long list of concerns I pray for daily. Did I say I love to pray?

Well, I also lead a women's bible study. After our weekly study, we lift up one another's concerns and pray for each other. As the leader, I listen and write down each woman's request as she shares. The strangest thing was, I often would NOT share my own concerns. I would diligently write down and we would pray for our concerns together as a group. Then, we committed to pray over these concerns during the week. But, for my own needs, I consistently would bear them alone or pray over them with my prayer partner. I wouldn't share them with the group.

This was about three to four years ago and Aaron was one. When he was born, his tear ducts were closed, so he would get "goopy eyes" frequently. Whenever he had a cold, it would go into his eye and have a runny eye. People would often assume he had "pink eye," but I would assure them that he had a closed tear duct and this was "normal" for his eye. Our doctor said most kids grew out of this by the time they were 15 months old, so we would watch and wait.

Time went on and Aaron's eye did NOT get any better. Our doctor sent us to an eye doctor when he didn't grow out of it by the time he turned one. The eye doctor said we would wait until Aaron was 15 months old, but if the tear duct didn't open, Aaron would have to have surgery. We continued going every few weeks to check, but the duct remained closed. Finally, the doctor said we wait two more weeks and if the duct wasn't open (and it looked like it was NOT going to open on its own now!) we would schedule the surgery.

Not what a mother wants to hear. No matter how "routine" or simple a surgery is, a mother would much rather that her baby would not have to go through it!

Well, the night before the appointment was my bible study. As I was taking prayer requests for everyone else, God spoke to my heart, "Tracy, you prayer for everyone else. Why don't you pray for yourself? Why don't you pray for your own needs? Pray for Aaron."

Boy! I was convicted. I shared this with my group and we prayed for Aaron. I knew they would also be praying for him the next day during the time of the appointment.

When Brian and I took Aaron the next day, we really expected that we would be setting up the surgery appointment. Actually, that was what the doctor thought, too. While waiting, I again said a prayer for God to open Aaron's tear ducts. When the doctor came in, he began telling us about the surgery, preparing us. As he began to check Aaron's eyes, more of a formality, really, he stopped talking. He then told us that Aaron's tear ducts had opened! He was astounded! He couldn't believe it!

I could believe it! God had miraculously healed Aaron AND reminded me that I needed to pray over my needs! It was wonderful that I prayed for others, but that I needed to FIRST pray for my needs and the needs of my family.

God is so good!

Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to the Lord."

Please go over to a Mom's Life http://beth-amomslife.blogspot.com/ to read all of the amazing ways God is working in people's lives! God is good and there are miracles all around when we open our eyes to see them.