I often need to recalibrate my mind to think the way God thinks as opposed to the way that I think. We have a daughter who has had many and varied physical challenges since birth. I am not the same person that I would be had Jessica not been in my life. Last year, as she was getting ready to graduate from college, Jessica came back home to live with us because of her 24/7 migraines. We have been to many places in this country seeking medical help for her. We have tried an array of therapies, treatments, procedures, medications, and diets. Above all, we have prayed fervently. Almost daily I process this scripture:
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John 9:1-3
"And as He passed by,
He saw a man blind from birth.
And His disciples asked Him, saying,
"Rabbi, who sinned,
this man or his parents,
that he should be born blind?"
Jesus answered,
"It was neither that this man sinned,
nor his parents;
but it was in order that
the works of God might be displayed in him."
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I have put to memory a scripture that reminds me to renew my mind to think God's way and not get off track and think my way:
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Romans 12:22
"And do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove what the will of God is,
that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
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I have friends whose lives are full of huge challenges because their children have special needs associated with autism, cystic fibrosis, AD/HD, learning disabilities, bi-polar, schizophrenia, etc. Yet, it is through those challenges that they say God has helped to mold, shape, grow, and enrich their entire families.
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Last week, I got a very special email from my friend who has a son who has PKU. Children born with PKU basically cannot metabolize protein. Unless just the right diet is given, the child's brain cells will begin to deteriorate and eventually mental retardation becomes an unwelcome guest. This story that I am about to share in my friend's many faceted life is two part. I'll let her letter to me tell the first part. I'll tell the second.
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- FIRST PART: "Dear Patti, This is an example of how God's timing is so different from our human conceptions... As you know B. and I have been struggling with the financial burden as well as worrying about being able to provide the best care for E's PKU with our limited and ineffective insurance. We have prayed fervently for 5 years over this situation. Recently we were told that the grant we were utilizing to offset the $10,000/yr cost of E's Medical formula would expire when he turned 5 years old. All along God was working everything out, even through B's lay off. If he hadn't lost that job, we wouldn't have this new (job and) insurance. Two days after E's 5th birthday, we were notified that Formula and Special Low Protein Medical Food is 100% covered! Praise God. GIGATTATTGIG!!! Love you, M
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Yes, M, GIGATTAATTGIG! He was good a year and a half ago when your house burned! He was good every time you took E to the emergency room! Just like you said, "all along God was working everything out..." So, why do we worry? Why do we not trust?
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- SECOND PART: Last year, E was in the hospital several times. At one point, he was in CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia). M asked me "Why one more hospital stay?" She was weary! My husband and I tried to visit and encourage as often as we could. Eventually, E was released from CHOP and as they were checking out, M asked where E's nurse was because she wanted to thank her. She was informed that his nurse was off that day. When M asked if she could get the nurse's name to write her a thank you note, she was shocked to find that his nurse had the same uncommon last name as M's maiden name. M wrote E's nurse a note with her phone number telling her this new found information. She asked the nurse to give her a call. That phone call was the call that M had been praying about for years! E's nurse was M's long lost half sister! ..... This has been a wonderful year for strangers to become friends. M has gotten to know more extended family that she did not know that she had. It's been a time full of many blessings! God knew all the time that this month her sister would buy a house just down the road from M and her family. God knew that today, E would be getting ready to start school in the fall with the foods that he needs and his new aunt living right down the road. GIGATTAATTGIG!!!
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God says, "Ask and you will receive." Why do we so often think that it has to be in our timing. Our job is to patiently wait! Two families! Migraines! PKU! God's timing is often different from our own, yet GIGATTAATTGIG!
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JUST A NOTE: M and I have a friend in CHOP hospital with her 3 year old daughter waiting for a heart transplant since January. Today, Tuesday 7/28/09, the heart has arrived. God's timing is everything! You may click here for updates: http://momstransformed.blogspot.com/
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