Every Wednesday at our church we have
various growth activities for all ages. From the youngest toddler to
the most senior of our members, there is a class or group for
everyone. I attend the pastor's Bible study.
We just happen to be in the first
chapter of the Book of James, when James is telling us to be thankful
for the trials we face in life.
James 1:2 “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3) because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4) Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2 “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3) because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4) Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
At the end of each class is a period
where we talk about prayer needs and requests. There is a list of
known, public prayer requests for church members and attendees may
make requests for themselves or others during this time. Prayers are
sent up for all who request them and also for those who may have a
need that they cannot speak about.
Last night was a little different.
After we spoke of those on the list and any other prayer needs, our pastor, Dr.
Marr introduced a young Asian woman who happened to be sitting on the
back row near me. She stood up and we could see she was about 8
months pregnant. She was a tiny woman, probably not 5 feet tall, and
may have weighed 100 pounds counting the baby weight.
Dr. Marr asked the woman to tell us what
had happened in her life. In her slow, deliberate, and sometimes
broken English she explained.
This woman had suffered a miscarriage
during her first pregnancy. When she became pregnant again she asked
Dr. Marr if he (and we) would pray for her. We did it right there in
the class one evening.
Several months into the pregnancy she
went in for a sonogram and she was told by her doctor that she was
carrying twins – but that the babies were conjoined at the head.
The young woman was devastated. She went home and did the only thing
she knew to do – she began to pray.
The woman asked God to intervene, to
heal her babies so they would be healthy and normal. She prayed all
the time, facing her trial with faith in her God. She said when she
was doubtful and her faith waned she turned to the church and to
God's messages to her and stayed strong.
Weeks went by and she returned to the
doctor for another sonogram. This new sonogram showed her babies were
no longer conjoined but were separate, healthy and developing normally.
When she finished, Dr. Marr recapped
her story for anyone who may not have understood her. When he
finished he said “Think there are no such things as miracles? You
just witnessed one.”
The woman said her doctor “apologized
for weeks” for being wrong. Skeptics will say they simply made a
mistake. But this is 2015. Doctors using sophisticated imaging
technology don't make mistakes and tell a woman her babies are
conjoined when they're really not.
The woman believes she received a
miracle. Dr. Marr believes she received a miracle. And I believe she
received a miracle.
James 1:12 says “Blessed is the man
who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he
will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who
love him.”
This humble, faithful woman trusted in
her Lord when faced with one of the most terrifying, heartbreaking
trials she could face. And for her faith she was rewarded.
In her
story is a lesson for all.
