Tags
family, God, grace, Healing, Hope, Jesus Christ, Love, Mercy, Miracle, mom, mother, Wisconsin, wounds
Packing for a church visit to St. Peter’s Anglican in Albuquerque, New Mexico I was stressing over several chapters and a nonfiction proposal due to an editor in a few days. My husband assured me he’d drive there and back so I could write.
Then the phone rings.
My sister Jane.
Bad news.
Our mom had a A-Fib heart event that landed her in the ER, then the ICU. Jane said she was lucky to have survived because her heart had been pounding like crazy for too long. Here she is in the hospital:
She looks happy and healthy, doesn’t she? Though the condition is chronic and she’ll have to take meds for life, the doctor said it’s a miracle she survived.
Miracle # 1
I spoke to my mom via Facetime. Jane sent the above picture, assured me she was fine and advised me to go ahead with my travels.
A few days after the event, the condition flipped and my mom’s heart went back to normal. No more meds. She’s fine.
Miracle #2
Then, that evening, my mother had a major stroke, was without speech and paralyzed. She was rushed to a larger hospital in Green Bay, given meds that they said could:
1. Kill her.
2. Heal her
2. Do nothing at all.
33% chance any one of those things could happen.
Thank God, the medicine worked.
Miracle #3
Here she is two days after her stroke, about to be released from the hospital:
Again, doesn’t she look happy?
The baby in her arms?
My youngest brother’s wife had a baby in the hospital the same day my mom was admitted (a hospital an hours drive from her home). Grandmother and grandson were released on the same day. A great-grandchild was born a day later.
Miracle # 4
Can you see God’s grace in all of this?
I phoned my mom yesterday, planning our visit home to Wisconsin. There was something different in her voice. A peacefulness I hadn’t heard in years.
When I asked her how she was feeling, she said, “In a lot of ways, better than before all of this happened. Not only physically, but something has changed in my heart…in ways I can’t even explain. All of this was meant to happen.”
The truth is, there have been family issues, wounds from the past plaguing her and our entire family.
My mother said that from her hospital bed she saw hugs between her children that she never thought she’d see.
My sister says she’s different. “Everything is different, ” Jane said. “You’ll see when you come home.”
Miracle #5
I haven’t been home for a very long time. We’re looking forward to going back.
Miracle #6
HI Holly,
SO glad to hear that you mom is recovering, and that she can look forward to the joy of watching a new grandbaby growing up.
Yes, it’s all quite amazing.
Even the best medical care can only do so much. The rest is up to God. He has bigger plans for your mom, it seems. Thanks for posting the pictures, Holly. I’m glad things are better all around.
I can really see God’s hand and healing mercies in this….all around!
Blessings, Holly. God is working in your life and your family’s life. He is a God of healing, that is for sure. Inspiring story for all of us! Glory be to God.
Christine
Thanks Christine. There is healing and I have a feeling that God’s healing graces will continue. 🙂
What a wonderful story. I love the pictures of Mom, she looks like such a sweetheart. God has kept your family in His loving arms. May He continue to bless you all.
Thank you Chris! God bless you and yours too.
Blessings to you, your mom and the family. The picture of your mom with the new baby is so special. Have a wonderful trip home.
I was a cardiac nurse for awhile, so I know how scary a fib and strokes can be. I’m glad to hear she converted back to NSR on her own, and I’m especially glad that everything worked out okay. Strokes are exactly one of the reasons a fib is so scary- but I’m glad it worked out!
Prayers for all of you!
Beautiful. Just beautiful. I’m so glad to hear that your mom is doing well and am excited to hear how these changes will impact you and your family!
Me too, Stacy. It’s quite amazing.
Holly,
The longer we live we realize every breath is God given and He will keep us here until our purpose is fulfilled in this life. My mother lived to be 89 years old. I miss her, but I know I will see her again. May God continue to bless your mom and family as she lives to see wounds healed and family restored. Have a blessed trip home to see your mom.
Thanks Glenda. God is the ultimate healer, emotional and physical. We just need to seek him in prayer. I’m always amazed at the miracles I see on a constant basis. We have a great kind and loving God!
Reblogged this on Sowing Seeds of Grace and commented:
Holly Michael shares an amazing story that can only be explained by the word “miracles.”
Holly, only one word can sum up what has and is happening in your family — miracles. So glad your mom is doing well enough to leave the hospital, and two new family members to meet when you arrive. Praying for safe travels.
Thanks Sherry and God Bless!!
What an amazing testament of God’s love and power, and of how He works to accomplish His plans. Thanks for sharing Holly.
Holly I am so happy to hear this. I will continue to pray.
Sent from my iPhone
Thank you Becky. I really appreciate the continued prayers.
Ps I am on Wisconsin. Was here a week and leave tomorrow am.
Sent from my iPhone
What a powerful testimony of God’s grace. It is so beautiful that you recognize His hand in your situation. He has an amazing way of transforming our hearts and minds and healing old hurts. Sounds like He is working in your mom and in your family. Be blessed today and bless someone else!
Thank you Shelley, God is amazing. I continue to see His Grace and Mercy! Blessings to you!
Bless the Lord for answer to prayers. It’s always so encouraging to hear the good reports after people pray. ♥♥ ♪♫•Our God✞*¨*•.♥✞ is an AWESOME God!♥♥ ♪♫•✞*¨*•.♥✞He reigns ♪♫•✞•.♥✞ from Heaven above♥•✞*¨*•.♥✞with wisdom!♥ ♪♫•✞*Power!¨*•.♥✞and Love! ♥♪♫• ♪♫✞Our God*¨*•.♥✞is an awesome God!!!♥♥ ♪♫•✞*¨*•.♥✞ ♪♫.♥✞
Amen!
Dearest Holly,
WOW! I almost deleted this because I didn’t have the time to read it. BUT, I didn’t. I saved it to read later.
This morning you have brought me to tears; happy tears.
This is such a great story.
Thank you for sharing.
Sometimes when “bad” things happen God is working miracles that will have lasting results.
May your family continue to feel his hand upon all of your hearts.
JuJu
So true. We are all seeing so many miracles. I think more will come too!
Reblogged this on Whisper of Angels and commented:
I haven’t felt I have had anything to say recently and no motivation to put anything out there, other than a nagging “You have to, you need to, you should…” Yet, even that didn’t propel me.
This blog entry, which I saved because I felt I had no time to read it until today has propelled me to write, because in it I see so many small miracles all coming together to create large miracles.
This is the wonderful magic of Gods workings: He pulls it all together so that when the crisis is over we can see the signs.
So, know that no matter what you are going through God and the holy angels are working tiny, oft times unperceivable miracles to bring you so much love.
God is able. With his infinite mercy. She healed Hollys mum. thank God for mum and the new baby
Amen!