We Believe in Miracles - Part 2

At last, the paralysis stopped rising and VERY SLOWLY began to recede back down his body. We waited to find out what toll this syndrome might have left on my husband’s body – as it often will leave people with permanent neurological damage and paralysis. Physical therapy began. Several days later he took his first steps with the help of the therapist, me and a walker.

I wrote a new Bible verse each day on the nurse’s dry erase board filled with hope and God’s provision. We were clinging to Him with all we had. Each day we seemed to get a new miracle, as his condition gradually improved. We received TONS of cards, packages, and calls that were such a source of encouragement. People literally all over the world were praying for my husband’s recovery.

One of the most touching things was how our youth group back home responded. Mike was a Youth pastor at the time. Due to his illness, he had to miss their summer mission trip. One of the college students made t-shirts for the whole missions team and for us. The front read: “We Believe In Miracles, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” Ephesians 6:10. And, the back of each shirt looked like a jersey with our last name at the top and the number 04 [the year]. The youth were also learning firsthand about God’s mercy and miracles!

I worked hard to convince the doctors to release Mike and allow him to finish his care back in NC, where we are surrounded by great medical facilities and our support system. We had been in the Cape Canaveral Hospital for 2 weeks. As I pushed my husband in a wheelchair through the airport, I felt relief and yet so much fear of what the coming weeks/months/years would look like. The verse, “The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14) was my constant prayer. I had no control over what was happening. I could only trust in Him, and as it turns out, that was the best thing possible.

Mike began to progress rapidly once we were home. In fact, the day after returning home he was no longer in the wheelchair OR walker. Every day he regained more strength and feeling. It ended up that he never even had to do physical therapy at all in NC. A month later, he was practically fully recovered. Doctors were thrilled with his progress. God was more than blowing us away with His faithfulness.

That December, I gave birth to Jackson. Our birth announcement repeated the phrase from the T-shirt that had become so dear to us – “We Believe In Miracles”. Both of my guys are my miracles!

To be continued…