Many readers will recall that I have endured excruciating pain in my lower back combined with sciatic nerve pain down my leg for several years (that was especially bad when I drove). I had numerous MRIs and other tests and was told I needed to have surgery to remove the discs and fuse L1, L2, and L3 vertebrae together. I had similar surgery in my neck whereby they fused five vertebrae together C2-T1. It took 3 months to get over that and it was a very painful experience, especially because shortly after the operation I refused pain medication due to my fear of becoming addicted to it.
I was very reluctant to go under the knife again and finally told the doctor I was just going to tough it out and I refused to get the surgery. At the time I asked Words for the Day readers and others to pray for me. I knew it would take a miracle. I have degenerative arthritis which was exacerbated by the crazy lifestyle I had in my youth and beyond including numerous car crashes, fights, being run over by three horses, and so on and every doctor predicted that without the surgery I would get worse as I grew older.
Little over a year ago I noticed I could drive long distances without any pain in my legs and my lower back did not hurt. I was cautiously optimistic but found that even taking my boat far offshore with its constant banging in heavy seas, that it was fine. Then I moved to my farm in June and now I’m slinging 50lb. bags of feed and seed around daily and doing other heavy work and my back is fine. My age has slowed me down some and my strength and stamina “ain’t what they used to be”, but I’m still holding my own.
Okay, so what do I attribute this healing to? God of course. Why would He single me out for healing? I have no idea, but I know that my wife and I and many friends made the Big Ask of Him for this, and for reasons known only to Him He granted me my prayer, for which I will be forever grateful. I would also point out that it was not instantaneous, (as in praying one day and the next I was pain-free). I literally prayed daily for years and never gave up hope or my faith that my back would become pain-free.
This is the second time I have made the Big Ask and God has come through with a miracle for me. Many years ago now I discovered that I had Hepatitis C after applying for a “key man” life insurance policy, and when I took the comprehensive blood tests, they found that I had it. At the time there was no known cure. The only treatment was a very nefarious chemo treatment (Interferon) and I refused to take it. Hepatitis C is a virus and attacks the liver and after about ten years I became stage four. It was not looking good for the “home team” and I of course prayed that God would heal me, and my wife and family, and friends prayed for me. Lo and behold just when things looked as though I would “cash in”, the miracle drug Harvoni was released. It cost $90 per pill, and I had to take it daily for three months. At the end of the treatment, I did not have a trace of the virus in my system, and I was completely healed.
So, ask me if I believe in answered prayer and healing. Uh . . .Yeah!
Now some may call this coincidence, but I know better. Currently, my Big Ask is that my eyesight might be restored from some exciting new stem cell treatment or such. I know it is asking for a lot, especially in light of what has already been done for me. It is so frustrating to lose your eyesight which is occurring daily with me. But it ain’t over ’til it’s over my friends. I’m going to keep on praying for a cure. The world’s physicians call certain diseases and conditions incurable, but God knows better. He is sovereign and does what He wants,
Jeremiah 30:17
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD”