12/17/2017
An extended post from Mike, Trish, Reagan, and Grace as they journey. I'm not one to post much like this, but I feel that our lesson in faith can be yours also.
I can’t pinpoint the theology of this, but God made me look like a liar this week.
On Tuesday 12-12 at 8:25 pm my wife collapsed in the floor of our house. She was unable to speak. Her eyes stared motionless into the distance. After a few moments she began to move her eyes with a look of fear and terror. I carried her to the couch. She could only respond with single word answers after lengthy delays. She had only about 25% mobility in her left side as I carried her to the car and off to the emergency room.
For hours, tests were run, and we were admitted to the stroke ward around 4:00 am. Because Trisha has multiple sclerosis, there are plenty of MRI records to compare against. The MRI performed in the wee hours of Wednesday morning were identical to each one in her history. Thankfully there was no stroke.
Trisha improved to short slow deliberate sentences by Thursday morning but remained mostly paralyzed on her left side. I left her room Thursday morning to run errands and attend a funeral. I mutter a handful of words In the Spirit, not really words, but slurred syllables of fear, pain, and desperation. We had told no one of her condition outside of family and work. At the funeral Pastors Bob and Derek were also in attendance and casually inquired “how’s Trisha doing?” I relayed the details as to how bad things were.
Thursday night was the scheduled night for our sectional Christmas dinner, and I was still planning to attend, and knew that was a great opportunity to share our need and only have to tell how bad things were one time. I couldn’t bear to describe her condition over and over to multiple inquiries. I chose to share it once with many as possible as a protection for myself.
I was asking God how I could put on a brave leaders face and for some words to say when I shared our desperation with these pastors. I was praying this way when I arrived back at the hospital around 3:00 pm.
I entered her room to find her resting comfortably. I timidly asked how she was. She spoke normally in complete sentences describing all the doctor and nurse visits and all their conversations. As I internally rejoiced at her vocal snd cognitive leap, I saw her move her blanket with her left arm. When I asked when this all progressed she sad I don’t know it just started working.
When I told the pastors that night I was not fighting fear, tears and despair. I was able to speak words of hope, praise, and affirmation of God’s faithfulness and his healing work.
So how does that mean God made me look like a liar? I told Bob and Derek it was no good. When people visit now she appears and sounds fine, and her spirits are high. No one would believe me today if I told them how far away she was on Tuesday night.
Thank God for his touch. Thank you for your prayers. She will spend a few more days in rehab and it appears there is no real reason she won’t leave 100%
In exchange for this miraculous turnaround, I will gladly endure the label of liar. Keep praying. Keep believing. Because God is good. Jesus is faithful. And Holy Spirit will help you pray when your faith is tested.
