When Maggie was born we prayed for a miraculous healing of her body. As the seriousness of Maggie’s syndrome hit us, we prayed even more fervently. We prayed that she be spared from surgeries, from pain (physical and emotional), from side effects of anesthesia, you name it we prayed for it. So did all of you. It was heartfelt, abandoned prayer. We knew that we were helpless and that God was in control and it prompted us to be big and bold before the Lord.
I was confident in those early days until someone commented to us that our desire for Maggie’s healing was a sign of our own shortcoming, that we were the ones who needed healing, not her. It made me ponder, “Is my desire for her healing come from a prejudice against those with disabilities? Does it come from a place of fear and selfishness?” This comment came from a person I respected and still do, so I didn’t take it lightly. For me, it all came down to one big question, “Can and should one pray for healing for those with disabilities, physical and/or mental?”
Should I be praying for Maggie’s mind to be free from any sort of hindrance that Apert syndrome or anesthesia could cause? Should I pray for her to have fewer surgeries, and miraculous healings that would open up her airways and allow her to speak without the need of a cleft palate repair? Are these desires for her a judgement on Maggie?
At that moment in time I didn’t have an answer but now, this would be my reply:
Maggie has Apert Syndrome, she is not Apert Syndrome. If Apert Syndrome was “curable” and Maggie received treatment we would not have a lesser version of Maggie. Apert syndrome, the chromosomal defect itself, hasn’t bestowed any gifts on Maggie. Maggie persevering and battling against what Apert has caused has been the gift. Our amazing community of family and friends who care for Maggie, has been the gift. Apert has brought difficulties. Maggie, her person, has given us untold joy and when Maggie gets to heaven, she won’t have Apert, or any of its effects.
The Gospel of Matthew details that through Jesus’ ministry, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the blind see and the lepers are cleansed. Was Jesus prejudiced for healing these people? No. Should he have just changed people’s hearts toward the blind, lame, deaf and afflicted? No. Jesus’ plan was and is for healing, emotional, spiritual and physical healing for every single one of us. To not ask God for healing for Maggie would be as ridiculous as not seeking out medical doctors for treatment of her physical needs. As Christians, it should be as simple and natural to turn to the Divine Healer as it is to turn to a physician.
Over the last few weeks, the Lord has been opening my heart anew to His promises of healing. Jesus desires to heal and if we are open to it, it will happen, either here on earth or in heaven. There is no sickness, pain, confusion, sorrow, fear, depression, and anxiety in heaven and it is okay to seek and ask for healing from God and from doctors here and now. Jesus didn’t tell the hemorrhaging woman to wait until heaven to be healed, He didn’t ignore the man with the withered hand in the synagogue, He healed them and the many others detailed in the Gospels.
We are prepping to go see our opthalmologist and determine if Maggie needs surgery on her eyes. We have seen miraculous improvement in her right eye but her left pulls in just slightly. I want to once again come before you all and ask for your prayers and your faith in asking for Maggie’s eyes to be healed completely and for any prospective surgery to be taken off the table. I am done being worried about asking for big things from the Lord. I don’t expect Him to be a vending machine, but I do know that I have been denying Him the much due trust and faith when I go to prayer.
Lastly, I really want to pray for and with each one of you for the healing that the Lord desires to give. Maybe there is something that you have just resigned to living with or someone you know who is struggling. I would love to pray with you for that need or that person. Private message me, email, call. However you are comfortable, I would love to pray with you.
Two for Joy 