As we remember this last week of Jesus’ life on earth, my heart is filled with gratitude for His life and resurrection. Oh, the wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb!

About two years ago, I shared the blog post “Miracles and Memorials”, which is my story about how God was with me when I suffered from a mini-stroke. Unbeknownst to me, there was a hole in my heart which had not closed up after birth and allowed a blood clot to pass through on a stressful morning. I still think about how I was discharged from the emergency room and informed that there was no explanation for what happened to me. I was so distraught that I forgot to ask for test results or for a report of my visit.

As I recently reflected on that experience, I became overwhelmed with tears. I realized how different my story could have been … but God. I realized how I could have spent months and thousands of dollars going to different doctors trying to figure out what had happened to me. I realized how I could have had another mini-stroke, possibly more adverse, leaving me with residual effects.

Instead, shortly after that fateful day, I sat in front of a well-renowned neurologist, who only heard my story, and suddenly … God gave him the wisdom to have my heart checked. The rest is history.

I am reminded of Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV) which says, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you;” and Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV) which affirms, “the Lord directs (our) steps.”

The Lord saw my days. He knew what was lying ahead as we would move across the country weeks after giving birth to our son. The Lord knew the diagnosis we would hear not once, but two times, and the number of hospitalizations our children would have to endure.  He knew how stressed I would be in all of those instances and He protected me from great harm.

“Oh what a savior
Isn’t He wonderful?
Sing hallelujah, Christ is risen”
(O Come to the Altar by Elevation Worship)

God loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to walk among the earth and not only know our sorrows and pain but ultimately, to suffer, die and rise again so that you and I may have life and life abundantly. Thank You, Lord!

Dear Friend, not even a strand of our hair falls to the ground without our Abba’s knowledge. Rest assured that God is with you in whatever you are walking through today.
~Joyce