Expect a Miracle

posted on Dec 14 by Linda Beck in the Guest Authors, Linda Beck category

If someone or something told you to “Expect a Miracle,” what would you think or do? Could you hear God’s voice speaking to you through a person, place, or thing? Meditate on that for a moment; then hold the thought, and read on.

On July 5^th, 2002, I suffered a major exacerbation of multiple sclerosis and went down on the concrete in the hospital parking lot. The following day, I was told I would never walk again. Nothing was working below my breast.

My family and close friends were devastated, but those who knew me best refused to believe that diagnosis. They thought I would overcome it, just as I had rebounded from other exacerbations.

Personally, I knew this was the most severe one I had suffered. I was having spasms and pain like never before, and other body functions were affected. The road ahead was unfamiliar, and I took a “wait and see” attitude.

I accepted the diagnosis because I didn’t have time to cry or complain. I had to work on building upper body strength and transferring myself to and from the bed, shower, vehicle, etc. (James 1:2-4 describes this as follows: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”)

When my body was unresponsive or wracked with pain, I would cry out to the Lord for strength to make the necessary moves. (Philippians 4:13 says: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”) And then, I would transfer. Later transfers became very hard on my wrists and hands, and the doctor ordered wrist supports which made a major difference in my ability to push myself up. (Another one of those things God used. Hold the thought; then read on.)

I had four weeks of intensive therapy and training, so I could learn to be a fully-functioning paraplegic. Rehab enabled me to return to my new home where I could once again live alone. There were many objections to this, but with the loving help of family and friends, I went home on August 6, 2002.

Another four weeks of trying to maneuver a manual wheelchair on carpet was physically exhausting, and even more emotionally debilitating than the original diagnosis. The road ahead was looking long and frightening, and this vehicle (my mind and body) was beginning to need a major overhaul. There was no point in being angry, though, as anger is not a healing balm. (Ephesians 4:26: “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”)

Finally, I received a power chair, and it was a gift from God! He saw my need just as He did in 1993 when He provided me with an electric three-wheel scooter. My optimism returned, and I knew that with God’s help, I would regain my patience and perseverance which according to His Holy Word would certainly improve my character. (Romans 5:3-4: “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”) It, my character, had begun to need a major overhaul anyway. Reviewing the scriptures daily enabled me to accept the situation, but also to work to improve it.

Other health problems kept taking place, but I was home where I was warm, well-fed by others, and fairly content, except for the emotional pain and physical drain my condition was causing my loved ones. Accepting help from others humbled me, and also shamed me, that I had not done more of that before. God has used this to teach me some lessons I needed to learn.

People were praying for me and asking others in several counties to pray also. God heard and answered these prayers. He used a Christian friend and a stick pin to speak to me on December 19, 2002.

In August after I came home from the hospital, I realized I had lost the stick pin that read “Expect a Miracle.” I expressed my regrets to my friend, Priscilla, when she called to see how I was doing. She said it was no big deal, and she would try to find me another one.

With so much going on, I thought little more about it. After all, how important could that little pin be other than as a very thoughtful gift of encouragement from another victim of multiple sclerosis.

By December, I was beginning to be able to stand at a walker when someone helped me get up. Still, I could not raise my feet off the floor, and my knees would buckle after a brief moment or so.

As I was exercising on December l8, my right leg, and then the left, had major spasms, and my feet lifted high off the floor in that same order. I was amazed and decided if a spasm could do that, then maybe I could lift them myself. And I did! Wow, what a surprise! It was even more exciting than when my toes voluntarily started wiggling on the 29^th day of my hospital stay when nothing else was working.

I already had physical therapy that morning; and while exercising on the bed, my therapist had commented that my legs were moving easier. And after having felt bad for several days, I knew things were the best they had been for awhile.

Later that day as I sat writing a story, I realized my wrists guards might help me get myself up to a standing position at my dining room table. With one hand on the table and one on the power chair, I pushed up and hunched sideways at the table. I was so excited! (Up! Plop down. Up again! Plop down, ouch bottom hurt! Up, push, try hard, etc.) Somehow, I sensed things changing, and the road ahead began to look brighter with each effort.