Even This

^“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28 NIV

October 2015 will forever be a memorable month for my co-mother (my son’s mother-in-law…but that sounds too impersonal, she is much more than that…she is my friend and the future grandmother of my grandchildren!).  

 

 On October 1st Dianna had open heart surgery to replace her aortic valve.  Although the surgery went well, something happened to cause her not to wake up for three days after the surgery and to have a seizure.  Her family struggled terribly through this time, drowning in unanswered questions and heart-gripping fear.

 

 

Then on October 4th she finally woke up! But after a few hours her family realized that something was still terribly wrong…Dianna did not know them and she had no memory of where she was or what had happened. It was a scary time for everyone, including Dianna because she was having terrible hallucinations (a side effect from one of her medications).  Over the next few days she grew stronger physically, but she struggled with her memory and hallucinations for more than a week. 

On October 13th Dianna got to come home from the hospital! But she was still struggling with her memory.  She didn’t recognize the roads or towns along the route home, not even her daughter’s house.  This was still scary for her and her family…there was always that little question in the back of everyone’s minds, “will she ever truly be herself again?” 

On October 15th  God showed me that HE is large and in charge and there is NOTHING impossible for Him.  When I sat and talked with Dianna on this day, I saw the light in her eyes and heard her talk about memories from the past that none of us could even recall.  She had been completely restored mentally!         

So many times in my life I have seen the miracle of Romans 8:28 unfolding before my eyes…especially in this past month.  Even though there have been lots of very scary and bad moments, God has brought so many good things out of this situation.  They are still unfolding day by day…but here are just a few:  a quick diagnosis (God placed the right doctor in the right place at exactly the right time),  a miraculous recovery and restoration of Dianna’s mind (like I said…she remembers things that no one else can), new and re-newed relationships with Jesus for several family members, the revealing of incredible maturity and spiritual strength in Dianna’s children, encounters with angels, increased prayer time for many of us and stronger faith for all of us.

Although this has been a terrible experience that I wish my sweet friend and her family would never have had to go through, God was able to take what satan meant for harm (his evil purpose was to steal, kill and destroy) and brought so much good out of it.  And just like Joseph was able to say to his brothers after they had tried to destroy him…Dianna can shout out to the devil,

“ You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”  Genesis 50:20   

 

 

Today is Dianna’s birthday…and what a great cause to celebrate!!!  She has survived satan’s greatest attack and has triumphed through the POWER of GOD!  I know that the Lord will use her testimony to reach countless people.  We praise Him for working ALL THINGS together for her good….even this.