Believing

(Guest post by Matt)

Chillin' like a couple OG's before surgery

Chillin’ like a couple OG’s before surgery

So this crazy, hectic week has come down to this. This morning was a whirlwind. Stephanie and I set our alarms for 4:15, as we had to be at the hospital at 5:30. Naturally, we hit the snooze button on our phones. Finally, we decided we couldn’t wait around anymore and we had to leave the comfort of our bed to face what today has to offer. My wife was in incredible spirits this morning. I think it was more knowing the softball-sized tumor in her stomach would not be there at the end of the day. She was humming and singing worship songs far better than I ever could. For those who know my wife, she is a ridiculously talented singer and I am not. At my request, I asked her to sing a song we’ve been singing in church for a little bit. It’s called “Your Great Name.” One reason I love this song so much is that there are lyrics in it that sing: “Redeemer, my Healer, Lord Almighty. My Savior, Defender, You are my King.

Once we got in the car on our way to the hospital, we listened to the “Jesus Is _____. Music Project” from the City Church in Seattle. That trip to the hospital, just focusing on who Jesus is, put us in the best of moods no matter our circumstance. While I was back with Stephanie before they wheeled her away for the second time, we prayed. We prayed for healing. We prayed for strength. We prayed for endurance and perseverance for what we know is to come. We also prayed that God be glorified through our experience, not only to ourselves, but to other people. God is good. He uses situations and allows things to happen so that He may ultimately be glorified. While we have faith in Stephanie’s surgical team, nurses, and doctors, we know that God is orchestrating a beautiful story and He is using them to help craft it.

Our faith is in God. We don’t put all our eggs in the basket of this world and just hope that nothing comes along to break them. Our faith is in a Higher Power. God does not operate according to the laws of this world. We continue to believe in the supernatural healing power of God. When Jesus walked the earth, He never denied anyone healing. He was never too busy or didn’t care enough about people to not help them. He never told someone, “I just really can’t help you. You’re beyond help.” No! That’s not our God. Our God is a God of love, mercy and healing. Our God can heal and there be no medical explanation for the healing. These are called miracles. And we believe in miracles.

So, here I sit. I’m in the waiting room, blogging away per my bride’s request. She has been in surgery for almost an hour at this point, and the surgeon said that the surgery should take about two hours. According to my calculations, that puts us at roughly the halfway point. Our faith is strong and God hears our prayers just as much as He’s hearing yours. We thank each and every one of you for petitioning the Father on our behalf. Though it may be silent as you pray, God listens. He hears our calls, He knows our worries and our concerns, and He wants each and every one of us to be healed. Leaning into Him is the best place to be, and that’s where we are right now.

I will post at least one more update today if not more, depending on how things go. Thank you for lifting up my wife in prayer. We appreciate and love each and every one of you. God bless, and keep the faith.


Matthew 1:8-4 (The Message)

“Jesus came down the mountain with the cheers of the crowd still ringing in his ears. Then a leper appeared and went to his knees before Jesus, praying, ‘Master, if you want to, you can heal my body.’

Jesus reached out and touched him, saying, ‘I want to. Be clean.’ Then and there, all signs of the leprosy were gone. Jesus said, ‘Don’t talk about this all over town. Just quietly present your healed body to the priest, along with the appropriate expressions of thanks to God. Your cleansed and grateful life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done.'”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PasbQx0VilQ&w=420&h=315%5D

5 Comments on Believing

  1. Janice Smith
    November 30, 2012 at 8:50 AM (11 years ago)

    Beautifully written Matt. Our prayers are with you today.

    Reply
  2. meganmacfarland
    November 30, 2012 at 9:39 AM (11 years ago)

    Love your devotion to God and to your beautiful bride. Know that I am praying for you and Steph. Though you and I’ve never officially met, I’ve been lifting you (and Steph-of course) up in prayer during this entire season of ups and downs. Lean in to God…
    ~M

    Reply
  3. colorado-glo2girl
    November 30, 2012 at 10:59 AM (11 years ago)

    What a testimony to your faith, Matt!! Praying for the Great Physician to completely heal your bride!!! To God be ALL the glory! Love and Blessings, Joyce Bilodeau

    Reply
  4. Tony Warnock; Lost Valley Ranch
    November 30, 2012 at 11:00 AM (11 years ago)

    Matt, you don’t know me but I’m a friend of your father in law. Just know that there is a group of us that you may never meet this side of eternity that are praying for you and Stephanie. We are just a couple of hours from Denver so if we can serve you guys during this time, please ask, we’d be grateful for the opportunity.

    Reply
  5. donnajeanne
    November 30, 2012 at 11:11 AM (11 years ago)

    heavy sigh…for all you are going through…but the WAY you are both handling this..
    the Lord is so glorified in you both. Can’t wait to see what He is going to do next as He
    has such faithful servants to guide…thank you for being such bright and shining lights
    for Him in such a dark place…it gives me hope that if we were to go through something
    so difficult, He could help us through it as well! Your faith is inspiring!! PRAYING….
    Love from Austria…..the Schneider family

    Reply

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