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The Domino Effect

Today, I had an appointment with my doctor whose practice is in a small town about 40 minutes away.  The drive is pleasant with its winding, rural roads meandering through acres of farmland.  Seemingly, the trees open their limbs to expose a vast expanse of sky making one think the sky is actually bigger and bluer in the country than in town.  There are plenty of doctors in the town where I live, but I don't mind the drive because just as the sky opens and clears out here so does does my mind.  Immediately, I am reminded of this very same commute taken this time last year. 

In the fall of 2009, my appendix ruptured.  The rupture was discovered three weeks after the fact.  Yes, I should be dead.  Once again, the Lord had spared my life.  Only a few short weeks after treatment and recovery, I found myself back in surgery to remove my gall bladder.  Still, after both surgeries I did not feel normal.  I was so fatigued.  I had resumed a normal work schedule and it was taking its toll. 

So, a little over a year ago, I was making my way back to the doctor.  As I usually do on long, solo drives, I began to pray and to meditate on the Lord.  This particular trip I was pleading with God to help my doctor figure out what could possibly be wrong.  I just kept saying, "Lord, I know something is still not right."  There is a stretch of road that is outlined by beautiful trees whose limbs actually fold over the road almost like an archway.  As I began to get lost in His presence, it appeared those trees folded back revealing a lighted path.  I heard, "I'm opening the way."  Suddenly, I was back to myself and everything appeared normal, again.  With thanksgiving and joy, I praised Him all the way to the doctor's office.  Yes!  I was going to find out exactly what was wrong and all would be well!

Wrong!  Not at all what happened.  Well, not right away, at least.  My doctor and I went over every body system, every symptom which all appeared random.  We were at the point now of eliminating every possible diagnosis save fibromyalgia.  Much blood was drawn, many tests scheduled.  More waiting, more fear of the unknown--of death even.  The battle of fatigue, fear, and financial strain brought on by the lengthy illness continued.  The push to resume a normal life kept me going through the motions.  With no financial support from the kids' father, there was no choice, but to keep going. 

Finally, the test results were in and revealed a severe vitamin D deficiency.  Sounds benign; however, this type of deficiency kills the immune system.  It is a very serious diagnosis, but very easily corrected with high doses of vitamin D and limited, unprotected, natural sun exposure.  Great!  So, what's the problem?  Time.  I needed more time to heal, like at least 6 weeks before I even noticed a difference.

I approached my employer about possibly working 32 hours rather than the full 40 hours until I regained my strength.  Rejected.  Tears filled my eyes, and I prayed right then and there.  By faith, I turned in my request for my remaining vacation days, and walked out of the office saying, "Lord, what am I going to do?  I have to work.  I have two babies depending on me, but I just cannot keep up this schedule.  I need you to help me.  Tell me what to do."  He sure did.  He opened the way!

Lying on the sofa at my mother's where the girls and I were living at the time, I cried out to God.  It was Friday, the very last day of the vacation days I had left.  I was so tired.  The telephone rang.  It was my pastor's wife.  She immediately knew something was wrong.  (She can always tell.)  I explained the job situation, the doctor's findings, and the extreme fatigue.  The prayer warrior that she is went into action, speaking life, healing, and provision.  She prayed, "Lord, when we hang up, I pray for your rest.  The kind of rest that takes only a short time, but feels like a full night's sleep." 

I don't remember hanging up the telephone.  I slept, really slept.  When I woke, I received a telephone call from my current employer offering me a  full-time position, working from home, with the Atlanta salary I was accustomed to, AND I was to start the following Monday.  How Great, How Awesome Is HE!!!

When God opens the way, He settles many things at once.  The revelation of the vitamin D deficiency not only cured my ailments.  Multiple things changed, doors opened.  I was able to find an apartment for the girls and me, allowed to work from home which I had dreamed of doing for years, my kids stay at the nursery was reduced from 12 hours a day to 8 hours a day and they are now able to participate in gymnastics and ballet (just to name a few).  One event set off a chain of events, a ripple effect, dominos.  His plan in motion. 

God is not haphazard, or frivolous, or even spontaneous.  He is multifaceted and purposeful.  He has a plan and His timing, His way--It is perfect.

Isaiah 14:24 "The LORD Almighty has sworn, ā€œSurely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen."

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