As I opened my laptop to write this, my wife asked, “Does more weird stuff happen to us than most people, or is it just that we talk about it?” I suppose that you readers would have to tell me that. At any rate, we have lots of adventures. Go back with me to that little rock cottage on the Central Bible College campus.
Playing on the Swings
Yesterday my parents and sister came to visit, along with my little nephew. Just across the yard from our house, there is a playground, so I took my nephew to the swings. He got done swinging long before I did. It had been a while since I swung, and it felt oddly liberating. I swung higher and higher and higher. As the swing reached its peak going backward, I suddenly had the sensation that I was going higher than ever before. I was. Unbeknownst to me, the chain had broken and i was going up, up, and away! Unfortunately, I didn’t land like Superman. For any who remember the old show, my landing was more comparable to The Greatest American Hero. Yup. I crashed. Hard.
A searing pain went through my back, and a bit stunned, I just sat there. I don’t recall who went to get the college nurse, but pretty soon she was there. I told her, “It doesn’t really hurt that bad.” She responded, “Keep sitting there for a while, because here pretty soon, it’s going to hurt more than you can imagine.” She was not wrong! Within the next little bit, my back hurt so badly that I couldn’t stand up straight, and the pain was unbearable.
We visited with my family for a little while longer and then they headed out. Anna May could see how badly I was hurting and asked if I wanted to go to the emergency room. We didn’t have insurance, so I wasn’t especially keen on the idea. As the day went on, my back got steadily worse. I already had some back issues from a wreck a few years ago when I fell asleep at the wheel, but this was far worse than ever before. By nighttime, I was writhing in pain. I decided that I would ask a friend to pray for me. I told Anna May that if I wasn’t better afterwards, I would go to the hospital.
Basketball and Prayer
Every step was painful as I made my way to the gym where my friend, Russ Connor, was playing basketball. I was unable to stand up straight as I hobbled in. Russ is an itinerate evangelist that see God do lots of miracles. As I walked in, he said, “What happened preacher?” I said, “I injured my back and was hoping you’d pray for me.” Russ replies, “I’ll be glad to pray for you as soon as I finish this game.” Hours later, Russ walked in my front door at around midnight. By this time, I was mad that it took him so long.
If he noticed my irritation, he didn’t acknowledge it. He just walked in, prayed, and said, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give i thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” I stood up and tried to raise up, but the pain was unbearable. As I winced in pain, Russ touched my back and said, “Be healed in Jesus’ name!” I raised up again and was instantaneously healed! I cried and shouted and worshipped God. Not only did the Lord heal that injury, but He also took away the pain I had dealt with from the previous injury. I woke up this morning pain free. Glory to God!
Life Lesson
Surround yourself with people that are crazy enough to just believe that God will work miracles when we act in faith. Sometimes it’s ok to wait for prayer in church, but sometimes you need someone to pray with you at unusual hours of the night. Also, remember that when someone calls, just showing up is the first act of faith that is needed. I was angry that it took Russ so long to arrive, but when he got there, God healed me. Remember that your friends have lives of their own and may not always be able to come exactly when you want them. Still, it’s important to have people in your life who will pray when you call. It’s also important to be a person who will pray when others call. Miracles happen at the most unusual times and in the oddest of ways.
By the way, miracles often require faith. Russ and Anna May needed to pray, but I also needed to get up. Throughout the years, I have noticed that many miracles only happen once someone takes a step of faith.
Swinging Tip
It’s always a good idea to check the chains before swinging too high.
Swinging Tip #2
It might be a good idea to quit swinging when the toddler is done.