Preston went back to school today. Sunshine has returned to Elmhurst Elementary....even though the rain is coming down on the outside.
I said a prayer for him this morning that he would be able to catch up his work and merge right back into his studies. Preston is very comfortable with prayer. When he was four years old, I ran into Valerie at Target just after she picked him up from preschool. We were standing there talking when Preston walked over and laid his hand on my arm. I couldn't see what he was doing but Valerie was keeping an eye on him. After we finished our conversation she turned to Preston and asked,"What were you doing when you touched Oma?" Without hesitation he responded, "I was praying for Oma's 'awies' on her elbows." When Preston sees a need, he unashamedly bows his head and prays for that need.
I love watching Preston during church. He enjoys worship time, singing and raising his hands in praise. During the sermon he kneels at his seat to color or quietly play with a toy. If anyone prays, he stops playing and bows his head, closing his eyes. It's not unusual for him to later share something he heard the Pastor say.
Luke 9:46-48 says, "Then there was an argument among them as to which of them (the disciples) would be the greatest. But Jesus knew their thought, so He brought a little child to His side. Then he said to them, 'Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me, welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.'" I know Preston is great in God's sight. He sure is in this grandma's heart.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Preston's Healing
I called Valerie today to see how Preston is doing. He has been out of school for a week with a fever and other flue symptoms. I was relieved to hear that the fever has subsided and he is beginning to get some strength back.
Preston has brought so much joy in his nine years. He has a cheerful, upbeat spirit, a big smile that shines from his lips right through his eyes, and an overflowing love for everyone. From pre-school to his present 3rd grade class, his teachers have always commented on what a joy he is to have in their room. When Preston is sick, we all miss the "sunshine" he brings into our family.
I'll never forget the day Preston was born, November 19, 1999. I was blessed to be there and watch the excitement of his mom, dad, and three brothers when they viewed him for the first time. I enjoyed snuggling with him and feeling him softly breathe against my neck.
Shortly after Preston was born we noticed that his eyes acted different than any newborn's we had seen. Instead of just weak eyes that would sometimes roll from side to side, Preston's eyes would roll completely back into his head and all you could see was the white of his eyes. The doctor confirmed this wasn't normal and the next three weeks became a whirlwind of test.
Before Preston left the hospital, he was given a Cat Scan. Since the test was non- conclusive, he was sent to an eye doctor. The eye doctor expressed concern that Preston may have a brain tumor and set a date for a MRI and an appointment with a neurologist.
The Sunday before the MRI was taken Valerie took Preston up to the prayer line. After the regular prayer with the prayer team, Pastor Cal called Valerie over and asked the whole congregation to stand and pray for her baby. Our friend, Linda, reached up to touch Preston and he wrapped his little hand around her finger. Pastor poured his heart out in prayer and Linda said, "I felt the awesome power of God go through that little baby and surge through my body." On the way back to her seat, Valerie turned to her dad and commented, "Preston is healed." From that moment on his eyes were normal.
When Valerie took Preston in for his MRI, the technician couldn't believe this was the same baby in the chart he was reading. He kept saying "Explain to me again what was happening with your baby." Valerie shared how Preston had been prayed for and she believed God had healed him. The neurologist confirmed that Preston was fine. When the eye doctor received the MRI report, he called Valerie to follow up. After she shared about Preston's healing, the eye doctor responded, "a vertical eye condition never corrects itself, so you indeed have received a Christmas miracle."
Valerie had no doubt about her son's healing being a miracle. The Sunday she was planning to take Preston up for prayer, she had to fight a spiritual battle. The enemy discouraged her by reminding her how prayer didn't save her first son. The car wouldn't start and then two year old Quinton threw up on himself in the car and again at church. But the enemy didn't win and Preston received his miracle.
Thinking of Preston, I am reminded how Jesus said in Mark 9:14, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." From the wee newborn baby to the seasoned senior citizen, everyone is loved and important to their Creator.
Preston has brought so much joy in his nine years. He has a cheerful, upbeat spirit, a big smile that shines from his lips right through his eyes, and an overflowing love for everyone. From pre-school to his present 3rd grade class, his teachers have always commented on what a joy he is to have in their room. When Preston is sick, we all miss the "sunshine" he brings into our family.
I'll never forget the day Preston was born, November 19, 1999. I was blessed to be there and watch the excitement of his mom, dad, and three brothers when they viewed him for the first time. I enjoyed snuggling with him and feeling him softly breathe against my neck.
Shortly after Preston was born we noticed that his eyes acted different than any newborn's we had seen. Instead of just weak eyes that would sometimes roll from side to side, Preston's eyes would roll completely back into his head and all you could see was the white of his eyes. The doctor confirmed this wasn't normal and the next three weeks became a whirlwind of test.
Before Preston left the hospital, he was given a Cat Scan. Since the test was non- conclusive, he was sent to an eye doctor. The eye doctor expressed concern that Preston may have a brain tumor and set a date for a MRI and an appointment with a neurologist.
The Sunday before the MRI was taken Valerie took Preston up to the prayer line. After the regular prayer with the prayer team, Pastor Cal called Valerie over and asked the whole congregation to stand and pray for her baby. Our friend, Linda, reached up to touch Preston and he wrapped his little hand around her finger. Pastor poured his heart out in prayer and Linda said, "I felt the awesome power of God go through that little baby and surge through my body." On the way back to her seat, Valerie turned to her dad and commented, "Preston is healed." From that moment on his eyes were normal.
When Valerie took Preston in for his MRI, the technician couldn't believe this was the same baby in the chart he was reading. He kept saying "Explain to me again what was happening with your baby." Valerie shared how Preston had been prayed for and she believed God had healed him. The neurologist confirmed that Preston was fine. When the eye doctor received the MRI report, he called Valerie to follow up. After she shared about Preston's healing, the eye doctor responded, "a vertical eye condition never corrects itself, so you indeed have received a Christmas miracle."
Valerie had no doubt about her son's healing being a miracle. The Sunday she was planning to take Preston up for prayer, she had to fight a spiritual battle. The enemy discouraged her by reminding her how prayer didn't save her first son. The car wouldn't start and then two year old Quinton threw up on himself in the car and again at church. But the enemy didn't win and Preston received his miracle.
Thinking of Preston, I am reminded how Jesus said in Mark 9:14, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." From the wee newborn baby to the seasoned senior citizen, everyone is loved and important to their Creator.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The Empty Wood Shed
My daughter just came in from our woodshed. "Mom", she began excitedly, "your wood is almost gone. There's only a couple of box loads left." My heart sank. A gentleman from our church had brought a big trailer load only a few weeks ago. He was sure it would be enough to last me the rest of this season. None of us accounted for the constant below freezing weather we were having, especially since it is the middle of March. As usual my mind wanted to panic but my heart told me to go to my prayer book.
Since my husband graduated to heaven in 2001, my prayer book and I have been constant companions. My social security doesn't always meet all my needs so I take my concerns to the Lord, write them in my prayer book, and then wait for God to lay it on one of His servant's heart to share God's bounty with me. God has never failed me in these seven and a half years but He sure has amazed me. I've stood in awe many times at the unusual ways and variety of people He has used to meet my basic needs.
Before I asked the Lord to provide more wood for my ever gobbling wood stove, I looked back in the pages of my prayer book for encouragment and assurance that God is always ready to hear this old widow's prayer.
My attention is drawn to the first time I needed wood after Don's passing. It was January 2nd, 2002, my first birthday without my hubby's usual loving attention. I was feeling lonely and blue as I headed down the steps to bring up some wood. I hadn't been to the wood shed in a while because Valerie's boys had been keeping a stock on my porch. "Why didn't those boys fill up my rack?" I thought as I maneuvered the wobbly cement steps. I was shocked by what I faced in the wood shed. There was no wood, only a layer of shavings on the floor.
I laid my head against the edge of the shed and let the tears freely come. "Oh, Don, I need you so badly" I cried out loud. Immediately an almost audible voice spoke in my heart, "No, it's not Don you need, but you need 'Me', the one Don always depended on." "Lord, I'm sorry," I softly responded. "Please show me what I'm suppose to do. I can't get the wood myself, nor can I pay the expensive electric bills my neighbors have been paying." I wiped my tears on the back of my hand and headed back to the house.
As I walked up on the porch I heard the phone ringing. "Hello," I answered, breathing heavily from the run into the house. "Pat, this is Wayne G., I was wondering if you heat by wood, and if so, do you need some wood. I couldn't speak. It felt like my throat and my vocal chords along with it, was swollen shut. When I finally got control, I told him my prayer only minutes before and Wayne said he would be over in a couple of hours with a truck load of wood.
When Wayne arrived, he told me this story. He had headed out to his shed to clean it. On the way he noticed his big wood pile that he no longer needed since he converted his stove to gas. As he began cleaning the shed something kept telling him to go call Pat Hintz and see if she needed the wood. He hadn't had contact with Don or me for many years. Why was this so stong on his heart today? He couldn't shake it, so he went back to the house to ask his wife for my number and the phone call to me answered his question. God knew there was a pile of wood in Wayne's yard that a widow, miles away, needed to keep her home warm.
With my heart assured that God knows my need, even before I write it down, I turn to the "request" section of my prayer book and ask my most precious friend to please locate some more wood for me. Now I will wait and believe because I know from experience that God never goes back on His promises to His children.
My dear friend, His promises are to you also. "Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks. You parents, if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him." Matthew 7:7-11 (NLB)
Since my husband graduated to heaven in 2001, my prayer book and I have been constant companions. My social security doesn't always meet all my needs so I take my concerns to the Lord, write them in my prayer book, and then wait for God to lay it on one of His servant's heart to share God's bounty with me. God has never failed me in these seven and a half years but He sure has amazed me. I've stood in awe many times at the unusual ways and variety of people He has used to meet my basic needs.
Before I asked the Lord to provide more wood for my ever gobbling wood stove, I looked back in the pages of my prayer book for encouragment and assurance that God is always ready to hear this old widow's prayer.
My attention is drawn to the first time I needed wood after Don's passing. It was January 2nd, 2002, my first birthday without my hubby's usual loving attention. I was feeling lonely and blue as I headed down the steps to bring up some wood. I hadn't been to the wood shed in a while because Valerie's boys had been keeping a stock on my porch. "Why didn't those boys fill up my rack?" I thought as I maneuvered the wobbly cement steps. I was shocked by what I faced in the wood shed. There was no wood, only a layer of shavings on the floor.
I laid my head against the edge of the shed and let the tears freely come. "Oh, Don, I need you so badly" I cried out loud. Immediately an almost audible voice spoke in my heart, "No, it's not Don you need, but you need 'Me', the one Don always depended on." "Lord, I'm sorry," I softly responded. "Please show me what I'm suppose to do. I can't get the wood myself, nor can I pay the expensive electric bills my neighbors have been paying." I wiped my tears on the back of my hand and headed back to the house.
As I walked up on the porch I heard the phone ringing. "Hello," I answered, breathing heavily from the run into the house. "Pat, this is Wayne G., I was wondering if you heat by wood, and if so, do you need some wood. I couldn't speak. It felt like my throat and my vocal chords along with it, was swollen shut. When I finally got control, I told him my prayer only minutes before and Wayne said he would be over in a couple of hours with a truck load of wood.
When Wayne arrived, he told me this story. He had headed out to his shed to clean it. On the way he noticed his big wood pile that he no longer needed since he converted his stove to gas. As he began cleaning the shed something kept telling him to go call Pat Hintz and see if she needed the wood. He hadn't had contact with Don or me for many years. Why was this so stong on his heart today? He couldn't shake it, so he went back to the house to ask his wife for my number and the phone call to me answered his question. God knew there was a pile of wood in Wayne's yard that a widow, miles away, needed to keep her home warm.
With my heart assured that God knows my need, even before I write it down, I turn to the "request" section of my prayer book and ask my most precious friend to please locate some more wood for me. Now I will wait and believe because I know from experience that God never goes back on His promises to His children.
My dear friend, His promises are to you also. "Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks. You parents, if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him." Matthew 7:7-11 (NLB)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Many Stories
My heart is full of stories. Stories that are true. Stories I have experienced personally. Eight decades of God's grace in stories I feel compelled to share with family members, friends, or anyone God puts in my path. It's not unusual for me to share something God has done for me with the cashier at the checkout stand or a stranger sitting alone on a bench.
I'm always wondering if there is someone who could gain insight in their own life journey from something I have already experienced. Most of all I want everyone to understand that God loves them and cares about every part of their life.
I use to think I was wired a little different because I love to share stories. Then one day I read in Matthew 13:10,11 (NLB) "His disciples came and asked Him, 'Why do you always tell stories when you talk to the people?' Then He explained to them, 'you have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others have not.'" I don't compare myself to Jesus but I believe He has placed the love of "sharing" in my heart and it is my desire to reflect God's love clearly to those who listen.
I've had friends and family tell me I need to blog the stories from my life diary. I don't know much about this technology but I am going to try and share what is happening in my life along with stories from my past. So I invite you to picture an old grandma gently rocking back and forth in her rocking chair while sharing "tidbits" from her life. I'm a busy grandma but I will meet you in my story room as often as I can.
I'm always wondering if there is someone who could gain insight in their own life journey from something I have already experienced. Most of all I want everyone to understand that God loves them and cares about every part of their life.
I use to think I was wired a little different because I love to share stories. Then one day I read in Matthew 13:10,11 (NLB) "His disciples came and asked Him, 'Why do you always tell stories when you talk to the people?' Then He explained to them, 'you have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others have not.'" I don't compare myself to Jesus but I believe He has placed the love of "sharing" in my heart and it is my desire to reflect God's love clearly to those who listen.
I've had friends and family tell me I need to blog the stories from my life diary. I don't know much about this technology but I am going to try and share what is happening in my life along with stories from my past. So I invite you to picture an old grandma gently rocking back and forth in her rocking chair while sharing "tidbits" from her life. I'm a busy grandma but I will meet you in my story room as often as I can.
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