All day I have been overwhelmed with joy as I think about what God has done for me and my family over the past few months. He has graciously blessed our family in an enormous way. As most of you know, I was given the opportunity to be back in the classroom in January after the school went through the devastating loss of a faculty member. Even though it wasn't under good circumstances, I was blessed to become a part of the MPCA family once again.
Half-way through the first semester it seemed as trials were bogging me and family down. It was back-to-back heart ache. My mother, who was diagnosed with kidney failure nearly 20 years ago, was in and out of the ICU and my husband's grandmother was hospitalized in Virginia and growing very ill. The first of March proved to be the hardest of them all. We were told by doctors that my mother was in the last stages of life. He told us he didn't know if we had 2 days, 2 weeks or 2 months but he did know we didn't have long. I would love to say that after hearing that news I was completely filled with peace and that I knew God was going to work a miracle but I wasn't. My human nature began to take over and I immediately was devastated and began preparing myself for my mother's death. During this time I was completely overwhelmed by the kindness of my friends, the staff of MPCA and the students that I spent every day with. Simple hugs, prayers and smiles were signs for me that God was working. Signs that I was not a lone in this trial.
I remember one morning, as I was driving to the hospital, having to pull over to the side of the road because of the tears. I cried begging the Lord to help me. Begging him to work a miracle in my Mom's life. I had been so caught up in the diagnosis that I had forgotten about the One who could change it all. Yes, I was praying for my Mother but I wasn't really believing God would do anything. I wasn't really trusting Him 100%. In that moment I felt God's presence. I was filled with the wonderful peace of God. At that moment, I had no fear of the future. I knew that if God chose to take my Mother to Heaven He was going to give me grace and comfort. But I also felt that God was going to do something wonderful.
Here I am nearly 5 months later and my Mother is healthier now than she has been in years. God is simply awesome! He answers our prayers 100 times better than we could ever dream of. Not only did God keep my Mother here on earth but he has allowed her to be in better health and spirits than she has been in years! She's been able to do more things with me and my children then I think I have ever seen her do. 5 months later - that's 3 more months than the doctors told us we could possibly have with her. In fact, that same doctor is in complete shock of how far she has come. Am I shocked? Of course not! Because I know my God works miracles. People have been asking me lately what happened? I just simply smile and say God happened! God chose to do a miracle for a little family in Oliver Springs, Tennessee. We aren't anything special in the world's eyes. But in God's eyes we are His children and that makes us pretty special.
Today I am so thankful for a prayer answering God. I am so glad that I serve the Great Physician and I am so glad that the same God who raised His son from the grave wants to be by my side. He wants to help me through every trial and tribulation I may face. He doesn't ever promise in His word that our life as Christians will be easy but He does promise us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. What an amazing and wonderful promise!
God is waiting to work a miracle for you! He is waiting for you to call upon His name and ask for help. He wants you to know that no matter what you are facing in life that you are never a lone! Because my friends, we serve an amazing Savior who can do much greater things than we could ever imagine!
Truly Blessed,
Mrs. Burnham
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