Aralyn and I had just returned from the outlets to exchange a few things we had got for John. It was a FUHHHHHRRREEEEEZZZZING COLD, windy day. One of those days where you're like, "Why in the world do I still live in a place that makes my face hurt!!!!"
Nonetheless, we ventured out because we love our daddy/husband and wanted him to be able to wear the shirts we had gotten him for Christmas. I even splurged on Chick-Fil-A when we were out because I was craving their waffle fries. That was a side note... I digress.
When we got home, I immediately put on my slippers and we both got cozy. As I was walking into my kitchen I got this feeling over my whole body that stopped me dead.in.my.tracks. I will try to explain it to you as best I can, but I truly feel there aren't words to totally explain my feelings. Before I go on, for those of you who don't know, here is my life story in a nutshell:
- Born into a lovely family
- Diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis( arthritis that old people get) at 3.5
years of age
- Asked Jesus to be in my life at age 5
- Childhood filled with much pain due to JRA
- Had double hip replacement at the age of 16
- Later in life, some pain here and there... disease just took a toll on my body
-Taught first grade for 8 years
-Got married to John at age 29
- Had Aralyn at age 31
You need to know that my JRA took such a toll on my body, that my joints have permanent contractures and it is hard for me to move in certain ways to this very day.
So... this feeling that stopped me dead in my tracks. For about ten minutes, and ten minutes only, my whole body felt so loose and fluid. I was moving my legs like I hadn't in YEARS.... YEARS people. I literally felt like I could have ran around the block or jumped as high as the sky.
Aralyn was playing with some of her toys in the kitchen and I just got very excited and I remember saying out loud,
"Oh my goodness, Lord... is this the day that you are choosing to heal me?"
(I must admit that I have slacked off on praying for healing, because I have gotten so use to my life with RA. But that's another story for another day.)
Not wanting to waste any moment of this special feeling, the only natural thing to do is dance
with your little baby girl.
And praise.
And hoot and holler.
We were dancing and marching all over the place beaming with smiles and adoration.
I felt joyful, elated, confused, shocked. All with in the span of ten minutes.
And then as soon as the feeling came, it went. I could've been sad, but I was thankful. You know why? Because it gave me hope. And that is why I share this story with you. Not to boast, but only to encourage you if you feel you have no hope.
My friends, there is a heaven. There is a hope, and hope has a name....
JESUS
The book of Revelation in the twenty first chapter tells us:
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away....... 'I am making all things new!' "
No more pain. No more crying. No more wishing for a different body. I will have a new one. Hallelujah!
Another portion of Scripture that gives me hope is Philippians 2:9-11:
"Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Do you know why this gives me hope??? Because it says that every knee is going to BOW before Jesus. Guys, I can't kneel at this stage in my life. My knees are shot. They don't bend. They creak, they crack. But on THAT day, I WILL kneel and bow. I don't know how it's going to happen, but I will, because the Bible says so.
Now excuse me, while I go dance in my kitchen.
Sidenote: If you do not know Jesus as your personal Savior and would like to experience the hope I have talked about, all you have to do is pray and acknowledge that you are a sinner and that you need Jesus to be the Savior of your life. See this link from a godly man, John Piper who I love learning from: http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/if-you-want-to-become-a-christian
