A Walking Miracle

“…for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
Exodus 15:26 (NIV)

Arise and shine, dear one! God is with you!

There's a moment following our Kingdom Builders Silent Auction that will forever be etched in my memory. My husband, Josh, stayed after to help clean up, put chairs and tables away, and reset the sanctuary. Anyone watching might not have seen anything remarkable about a husband moving furniture around…unless they knew our story.

Just a year earlier at our Vision Night for Arise Women's Ministry, I made sure to leave space at a table for Josh to pull his electric wheelchair up to. He'd been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and needed to conserve every bit of energy, or else he could worsen and become bedridden.

The difference in his health today amazes me. This wasn't the result of medical advances or diet changes. Josh is a walking miracle because God healed him! In April, women at our church felt led to pray over Josh. From that day forward, his health was never the same.

In Exodus, God describes Himself as "the Lord who heals you." There's no question about His ability to heal, but we don't always understand why He heals some and not others. This week we learned of the passing of a friend from college. She was a wife, mom, and a woman of faith who encouraged us through our own health struggles while she battled cancer. God healed Josh this side of heaven, but not her, and it leaves us wondering why.

As we approach the holidays, some will celebrate miracles while others question if God even cares. Wherever you are, cling to God's faithfulness. He's still the God who heals, whether on earth or in heaven. He's still trustworthy regardless of our circumstances.

If you've experienced healing, steward it well and give God praise! If you've experienced loss or are still waiting, don't lose hope. God hasn't lost sight of you. You may not see the journey ahead or how God will use your story, but you can trust His character.

I never would have guessed a year ago that today my husband would be moving furniture around, completely healed. Glory to God, He is the One who heals!