Day 17
Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
Story from the Blue Seats:
Our daughter was born 7 weeks prematurely in late 2007, facing life-threatening complications from the start. Her heart had stopped at birth due to lack of blood flow, but through the grace of God and the skills He provided her physicians, she was resuscitated after 7 critical minutes. Despite the bleak prognosis, where doctors gave her little hope of a normal life due to extensive brain injury from oxygen deprivation and numerous other health issues, we held on to our faith.
Over the weeks and months that followed, we faced difficult decisions and relentless challenges, including multiple surgeries and numerous blood transfusions. We were told she’d never be able to wear a dress because of her need to remain in bed the rest of her life hooked up to machines. There were times when we were advised to let her go, but our faith in God’s restoration and the prayers of our community gave us the strength to press on. Miraculously, she improved and was eventually discharged after three arduous months in the hospital.
In the years since, our daughter has undergone many hospitalizations and procedures, but each step has been a testament to God’s faithfulness. In May 2019, after waiting nine years, we were able to have her brother’s stem cells infused into her at Duke University Medical Center, bringing noticeable improvements in her alertness and joy.
Throughout her life, we have been supported by a community of brothers and sisters in Christ, who have prayed for us and lifted us up in our darkest moments. Two years ago, during a life-threatening bout of anemia and pneumonia, their prayers felt like the friends who lowered the disabled man on a mat down to Jesus, carrying us when we could not carry ourselves.
Today, our daughter attends church with us most weekends, wearing dresses on Christmas and Easter. While her life is filled with challenges, it is also filled with God’s blessings and reminders of His promises. We look forward to the day when she will run, speak, and dance, knowing that it’s not a matter of if, but when.
God’s promises have no expiration dates. Today if you feel like God does not see you with whatever circumstances you are facing, please remember He has been faithful before, and He will be faithful again.
