Thumbs up

I have been sitting at my desk, staring at a blank computer screen for what feels like HOURS... I'm not sure where to begin. God has blessed me in so many ways in the last week, I scarce can take it in. I got to see all four of my children, I've seen so many members of my church families be blessed, I've had the privilege of praying for some amazing people, and some amazing people have prayed for me. My heart is overflowing in thankfulness and the love He bestows on me - there are no words for.

In these moments, when my Heavenly Father showers me with blessings, I want to take a moment to stop and listen. To listen for that still small voice to help me glean anything that I can tuck away in my heart as a memory, or a lesson, or word of wisdom that will grow my faith or maybe something someday might help someone else.

I could pick any number of things from the last week, but God has one sitting especially heavy on my heart today and I know it must come first.

Over the last several weeks, I have had the privilege of helping organize two amazing Christian events in our area. And seeing those come to fruition has put some awesome people in my life. People that truly love God and are on fire for the Lord. It has been an honor and a blessing to work with and pray with people that are so like-minded and love their brothers and sisters in Christ. Sometimes I still have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming... the Creator of Heaven and Earth chose me - ME to lead and to pray and to teach, and now this. This once broken wreck of a soul is now encouraging others to always look UP. God. Only God can do that!

One of the events that took place this last weekend was an all-day conference to learn more and strengthen our walk with the Holy Spirit. It was a gathering of Spirit filled believers who realized our country is longing for more. More faith. More truth. More love. More God. And that's only going to happen if we put our trust in Jesus. The kind of trust that follows God's word and not man's word. The kind of faith that turns to God first and doctors second. The kind of love that prays for others and leaves the judging to God.

We had many sessions of teaching, worship, and ministry. I pondered at the gifts God has bestowed on so many people. Many times, we laid hands on those who asked for prayer or needed some extra encouragement. It's always such a blessing to be a part of that. But many asked for a prayer of healing, even me.

I have been prayed for many times about my migraines and they are much better than they used to be. But throughout the years I have personally witnessed many signs and wonders of our great and mighty God, including the miracle of instant healing. And I wasn't going to ask, not this time. I sat there in hesitation until the very last ministry session, and I heard that still small voice say, "Go now!"

I bashfully walked up to the husband-and-wife team who had been praying healing prayers all day. And as they asked why I was there, I heard myself say the unexpected. "I just want the ringing in my ears to stop." What? Was that even my voice? That's not what I was going to say. I've lived with tinnitus for years and over the last year, it's gotten SO much worse. But doctors say there's really nothing I can do - no cure. Somewhere in my brain, I've chalked it up to the "thorn in my flesh." But the moment I got up there, I asked for the IMPOSSIBLE!

As the gentleman placed his hands upon my ears, he asked if I had migraines. He already knew. A group gathered around me and started praying. The ringing got so loud at one point I couldn't even hear their prayers. And then I heard someone say - is it still there? He lowered his hands from my ears. My head felt lop sided. It was gone on my left side, but not my right. So, they continued. I felt the tears running down my face as I silently pleaded with God, "I know you are capable of ALL things. God please, please take this from me."

It never happened. I was crushed. This dear, sweet man on the prayer team was kind enough to just hold me as I sobbed. When I finally pulled myself together, he simply smiled at me and said, "There's many things I could remind you of right now, but something tells me I'd be preaching to the choir." and he was right. I, as much as anyone, already know that we rarely get to see the big picture He has planned for us. If He chose only to heal one side, I will accept that in gratefulness and know it is somehow part of the master plan. If He can turn my ugly past into good, then who knows what half a healing means! God. Only God knows.

The next day there was a group of us in the church kitchen, prepping for the next event, when I burned my thumb. Something had gotten spilled in the oven at some previous time, and it had started burning and smoking and making it stinky when we preheated the oven. I decided it was a good idea to try to scoop out the smoking, burning stuff in the bottom of the oven with a spatula and in the process, burned my thumb.

I ran cold water over it for a few seconds, but I could already feel the blister starting. There wasn't time to be messing around, we had work to do. So, I dried off my hand and turned around to go back to work, just in time for a very faithful man to walk into the room. Without missing a beat, almost without thought, he grabbed my hand, anointed it with oil, and began to pray. My mind was on many things, but NOT on healing my thumb. Did it matter? No! Instantly the heat disappeared and coolness replaced the blister. A thumb, God healed a thumb.

I was too busy to really think about it until much later that night, but as I laid in bed, it struck me. This is the lesson God was trying to teach me. I need to go to Him for EVERYTHING... not just the big things, but everything. I had the courage to ask strangers to pray for healing of the impossible, but it never occurred to me to even think of asking for the little things like my thumb.

That was a reality check for me! A 'where does your trust lie' moment. But not just in the asking in the little things, but in the praising of the little things. I should be going to the Lord first in ALL things! There is NOTHING too small or too insignificant for Him. And He longs to hear our praises in ALL things. Even when you think He only healed half your problem. I will be content in all things - knowing my God is all-knowing and all-powerful. The Almighty God that speaks life into dry bones and heals broken hearts. The God of POSSIBLE! Big or small!

Phil. 4: 11-13

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.