When People Pray…God Answers
When People Pray and God Answers
As parents and grandparents we know that we can’t say “yes” to our children and grandchildren every time they ask for something. It’s the same way with God. He always answers and sometimes He says “yes,” sometimes “no,” and sometimes “not yet.”
In December my husband got COVID and was placed on a ventilator. Three times he came within a breath of leaving me. I have never prayed so much or so hard in my life. I have never asked so many friends and family members to pray. Bill was in two different hospitals for almost three months when he finally began to get better. Covid left him weak and in need of intense rehabilitation. It was time to go to our third hospital. Frazier Rehab Institute in Louisville, Kentucky.
A Phone Call
On the morning we were to leave The Medical Center in Bowling Green, the CEO of the hospital called me. Way back when Bill was working on his masters degree, he and Connie (the CEO of the Med Center) had classes together. They became friends and over the years touched base from time to time. Bill worked at the Med Center while he was taking under-grad classes as a respiratory therapist. Even though that was many years ago there were still a handful of people there he had worked with.
Connie was calling to ask if they could have a prayer circle for Bill before he left the hospital. She said there were some people who wanted him to know they were praying for him but hadn’t come by his hospital room because they wanted to respect his privacy. I said yes, of course! I didn’t tell Bill because I wanted it to be a surprise.
Time to go
The two medics came to our hospital room and with help loaded Bill onto the stretcher. Bill thought we were headed to the ambulance but instead we went to a large room where lots of Bill’s friends and a few family members were waiting. This is what happened next…..
A Prayer Circle
The love and support we have had from our community and friends has been overwhelming. We are blessed beyond measure. As I followed the ambulance to Louisville all I could think or say was “Thank you, Jesus.”
The doctors at Frazier say we will come home on April 6, one day after Bill’s birthday. When this started in December I never imagined it would be April before we came home. I never imagined we would be in three different hospitals and make a host of new friends who prayed for us (along with our other friends and family) along the way. God has taught me so many lessons on this journey. Lessons about prayer, love, kindness, sharing and reaching out to others.
I know that with God all things are possible but there were times when I was afraid the answer to our prayers was not going to be the one we wanted. When my mother was dying of cancer in 1990 God answered “no” to my prayers, that it was time for her to go to heaven. I knew that there was a possibility that might happen again…but it didn’t. This time God said “yes.”
Thank you to everyone who has helped pray us through this. Thank you to T J Samson, The Medical Center and Frazier Rehab Institute and all our friends there.
But most of all, thank you Jesus that I can finally say the words I have been longing to say for so long…. “Bill is coming home!”
April 6th….not the 8th. That was Dad’s birthday. Bill’s is the 5th then we come home on the 6th. Bill and Dad always got to share a birthday dinner. Miss him. Can’t wait to see you!
Thank you sweet friend and I appreciate you and all your help!
Thank you Kathy and we love you!
Thank you so much Brenda. We have been on quiet the journey. Hugs to you!
Thank you so much Lynn! Yes it will be a blessed birthday!
Thank you my friend!
Thank you so much Nelda!
Love you too my friend. Always!
Thank you so much Rena! Take care of yourself!
Thank you so much Diane!
Thank you Pat! I appreciate it!
What a beautiful way to cheer and encourage Bil on his way to get stronger at rehab! The love in the room was great! God’s blessings are great! I rejoice with all of you. Continued prayers.
This is beautiful. Just beautiful. The Spirit of God was so strong! What a wonderful thing to do! He knew people were praying for him, but sometimes, it’s nice to actually see the faces.
God bless you, Bill.
We will keep you in our prayers!
I am so thrilled for your family! God is amazing!
What a beautiful departure ????? I am crying tears of happiness, love, and realizing how many wonderful people are still out there in this world!!! Thank you Teresa for sharing this incredible story of God’s answered prayers ?? Bill will be home soon and that’s such a blessing for you all!!!! Love you all my dear friend !!!
Pam
many prayers for your family , so touching
Teresa, I can’t see through my tears. There is so much garbage on social media, your words and videos are a welcome blessing. Thank you for sharing.
That was so very HEART WARMING!!! The people in that video have a special place in Heaven for their amazing care given to your Bill and keeping you as comfortable as possible!! GOD IS GREAT!!! What a VERY BLESSED birthday gift!!!!!!
My heart has been overwhelmed with emotions.
Greatest blessing I have ever witnessed.
I loves you with all my heart andI will share this with Mom.
Praise God and prayers continue to flow?????
Love you so so much!
Well, I am almost ugly crying but indeed they are grateful, thankful, exceedingly happy tears of joy for you. What a journey this has been! I am so grateful that it looks like SOON our prayers will be totally and completely answered. #prayBillhome Love you!
Well, this has left me in happy tears! It was such a blessing to finally be able to see our sweet Bill, and hear his voice, as well as you and the children we love so dearly…thank you for sharing!! Looking forward to April 8….