My friends, I have a stunning story to tell you. About two weeks ago God moved in a very unexpected way in my family. There are so many pieces shifting in this giant puzzle, but I want to give you a glimpse into what is coming together as part of this Jubilee year and God reuniting us with our "kin" as He showed me He had done in Leviticus 25:10-11.

On Monday my husband received a text from his father that he was taking Mike's mom to the ER. She seemed to have caught the flu his dad had just recovered from and was dehydrated. Mike and I joined them in the waiting room, and as I sat by my mother-in-love, rubbing her leg, I silently prayed for her. After hours of waiting, a scan and assessments, the doctors admitted her with a diagnosis of a blockage and readied a surgical team. 

Yet the surgery didn't happen. It was delayed. The same thing happened the next day and the next. As I continued to pray for her healing, I emailed our 1Peter3Living group for prayers for her a well. SUMites are awesome prayer warriors!

Thursday evening came, and we could see Mike’s parents were very frustrated with the constant delays in her diagnosis and need for surgery. Yet I knew it was God. I'd seen Him do the very same thing with my youngest daughter Leslie when they said she needed a port in her chest for chemotherapy. Three different times this procedure fell through for various reasons and after the fact it turned out she didn't need it.

As we sat visiting, I could see my precious MIL was in distress. She’s a tough a cookie, yet I could see she was scared. She is a precious woman who loves her family fiercely and calls me her daughter. She’s like a second mom to me, and I so appreciate how she raised my husband to love like she does. Early on I think she thought I was a bit over the top in my faith but she never criticized me. 

What happened next totally shocked me. As I sat by her bed, she looked at my FIL and my husband and said, “I want you boys to leave so Dineen can pray with me.”

The guys left. I leaned over her bed and just held her as I prayed for her healing. I declared the blockage gone. I declared the blood of Jesus over her. I released healing and peace into her. All in the name of Jesus. Afterwards, she said she felt better already.

I went to the waiting area to get “the boys.” My father-in-love gave me a grateful smile and said thank you. We went back to my MIL’s room and Mike and I said our goodbyes.

When we stepped into the elevator, joining another couple who got off on another floor. Once the doors closed, Mike turned to me and said, “Thank you for helping my mom.”

I smiled, and said, “Of course.” 

My friends, I wish I could give you the full dialogue that ran in my head but the amazing thing was, there actually wasn’t much. I wasn’t worried, uncomfortable, or concerned about what my husband or anyone else would think. I jus did what I knew God wanted me to do.

Like Jesus, the Father showed me what to do and I simply followed His lead with His Son as my model and inspiration. God is so faithful. And I truly believed He would answer those prayers for healing.

The next day when we went up to visit, we found out the blockage was gone and no surgery was needed. Praise God! I realized the weeks of praying for my family’s protection had played a part in all this as well. And my husband witnessed God in action. He didn’t criticize in any way. He was thankful. 

SUMites, I’ve waited for a long time to see answers like these to years of praying. Today I want to encourage you to keep pressing in and praying. Believe that God hears your every prayer and if there are delays, seek God for understanding. 

Just like the delays for my daughter and my MIL were God’s hand of protecting and provision, they are for us and our pre-believers too. God is good and He has a future for us and those we cover in prayer that is good and full of His love. We may not understand the process, and often times we don’t get the timing until after the fact, but we can trust in His perfect love and purposes for us. 

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. — 2 Peter 3:9 NLT

I love you, SUMites. I know God has great plans for you, for this community and one day we will meet in heaven and see how the great puzzle all came together! In the mighty name of Jesus, amen!