Have you ever witnessed something so amazing that it was simply hard to explain? Have you ever been a part of a situation that at the time seemed almost hopeless and then the answer you hoped for happens and the only way it can be explained is divine intervention? This happened twenty years ago in our family and it continues to be something we celebrate and are extremely grateful for each and every year.
It was 1991 and my sisters and I were sitting at the table with Mom about to eat dinner. I am sure that we were all talking about our day but when Dad came and sat down we knew something was wrong. He had been on the phone and had just found out that our cousin, Amanda, had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. At the time, she was only seven years old and we all just sat there in shock and disbelief that this could be happening to such a little girl. As Dad prayed, I can remember us crying and wondering what the future would hold. When these situations happen, they are always horrible, but it seems even more unfair when they happen to a child.
The tumor did affect Amanda with some physical limitations and the doctors decided that surgery would be the best option to see if it could be removed. The surgery was planned and we all began to earnestly pray for a miracle. I remember that as the news spread, we realized that people all over the country were praying for this little girl. If prayers were visible, I am confident that on December 19, 1991 - the day of Amanda's surgery - it would have been a beautiful sight to see so many voices united and being lifted up to God on Amanda's behalf.
On the day of the surgery, the doctors told Amanda's parents that they would call the waiting room when the surgery was complete. There was the chance that when the doctors went into Amanda's brain, that they would not be able to remove the tumor and other options would have to be explored. After a certain amount of time passed, the phone rang and Amanda's mom answered the phone and the doctors said the surgery was complete. It had not been long enough and everyone in the waiting room feared the worst. However, the surgery was a success and the tumor that had been robbing the life of a seven year old was now gone! We later learned that the doctors were amazed at how easily the tumor was removed. It was definitely a miracle and we all knew that a divine power was also at work in that operating room that day!
I remember that following Sunday, my dad standing before our church and thanking them for the prayers that were lifted for Amanda. As quickly as news had spread in the prior months to pray for Amanda, it was now spreading like wildfire that a true miracle had happened! That was twenty years ago and Amanda is now married and a mom to the most beautiful little one year old, Ella James. You would never know that she suffered such a traumatic event so early in her journey but her love for life now is evident that she is truly living and not taking any day for granted. Her mom said it so well on facebook yesterday -
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