Faith Healing??

Written by: Erica Sawyer

I had a guy pray for me recently that really has bothered me ever since.  He was praying for my “healing”… I almost wanted to stop him…which I probably would have years ago…but I let him continue.  He said, “if I lacked faith, healing wouldn’t happen…”

If he only knew.

If he only knew how much my spinal cord injury has given me faith.  In fact, I believe it is because of my injury that I believe in Jesus today. 

If he only knew the number of opportunities I have had in my life because of my injury.  

I never would have gone to “tennis camp” every Memorial Day my high school years and would have never met the most amazing man that I’ve ever known.  I never would have moved to Arizona and oh, God, I met the most amazing people here.  People I cannot imagine my life without.    

This past month alone I have met so many people I never would have BECAUSE of my injury. 

If this guy only knew.

My injury brings me to my knees on an almost daily basis in absolute dependence…. but I wouldn’t want it any other way…

Jesus’ love carries me…. each and every time.  

I have done so many things BECAUSE of my injury that I never would have had the opportunity to do.  Last Wednesday, I met a guy at the shooting range BECAUSE of my wheelchair. He does adaptive scuba diving; something I’d never given any thought of until now.

Last week, while I was in the waiting room at another doctor’s appointment, there was a girl sitting next to me. I smiled at her and she smiled back at me; something in me told me to go talk to her.  All I did was ask her her name and start talking to her about her wheelchair. She had the biggest smile on her face the whole time and spoke with such joy.  When I was leaving the building, her mother was sitting in the lobby and came up to thank me.  

Yesterday, at the eye doctor, I met a guy that was run over by a semi- truck. He asked about my wheelchair; he wasn’t in one, but had spent five years in one. I got to hear his whole story of how he overcame being told he would ‘never walk again’.  He told me about how the left side of his scalp and face was degloved, about he died a few times, but that God has given him amazing opportunities in the face of it all.  I would have never heard his story if it wasn’t for my wheelchair.  

I really have been struggling a lot with trying to understand why God has placed me in certain places. 

I know God has perfect plans for all of us; or I should say a perfect PLAN, singular.  Because I honestly believe we’re all woven into this tapestry that he will reveal as the most glorious thing we’ve seen one day.

I heard a sermon recently that spoke about this: I think sometimes we wish spiritual growth was like a microwave, you know 3 minutes in, and then we come out all cooked…. but instead he puts us in the slow cooker and it hurts so bad sometimes, and we want out NOW; But if we just wait, trust, and hold on for one minute longer, we come out so much more tender and not so rubbery.  

I don’t know why that guy’s prayer has bothered me so much, but honestly it’s made me reflect on so many things in my life that I’m just truly thankful for. 

And honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way…..  

James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.“