Storm Clouds
When I was growing up, I lived on the 15th floor of an apartment building, and I had a bird’s eye view of the sky. There was a park across the street, so there was an open expanse in front of me, with nothing to block the panorama of the ever-changing weather. Living near Manhattan, I got a firsthand glimpse of the yellow band of pollution that would sometimes hang in the hot summer air. We needed a good wind and rain to wash it all away.
But much more exciting than the pollution were the storms! From our apartment window I loved watching the dark storm clouds billow and sprawl in front of me, like they were rushing to overtake the blue sky. I’d hear the thunder rumble, and the wind would make our apartment building sway.
It was exhilarating to experience God’s strength and glory as I looked out through the window. I could see and hear and feel the effects of the storm. It might have been a little scary, but I was safe and warm and dry in our sturdy brick building. Back then and also now, many years later, storms remind me that God is in charge of the universe; as I look up at those big, moving clouds and the battle in the sky, He feels close.
This past year an unexpected storm broke in my life. A year ago today, we called 911 and an ambulance transported me to the emergency department of our local hospital. Two days earlier on a Sunday afternoon, I had been walking on the beach with my family. That night my back started hurting, and by the time Tuesday rolled around I was paralyzed; I couldn’t move or feel anything below my waist. The scary thing was, for days no one in the hospital could figure out why I was paralyzed. Friends and family prayed fervently. A wonderful neurosurgeon found the cause, a dural arteriovenous fistula in my spine. He operated a few days later. The operation had a 20 percent success rate. Again, people prayed. The operation was a success! We are so grateful to God, and so grateful to this man and all the caring, skilled, compassionate people who helped me there at the hospital and then at the rehabilitation hospital where I spent 40 days. It’s hard to describe how I felt. There were times I cried, but I never felt alone. Jesus was so real. He was my companion, and He gave me the faith to believe I would walk again. I’ve gone from wheelchair, to walker, to cane, and now to walking on my own. I am so grateful for all those who prayed for me and my family and who showered us with kindness. Their prayers, I believe, echoed the words of a song by Katy Nichole called “In Jesus’ Name (God of Posible)”. It’s a song that helped me get through those stormy days.
I speak the name of Jesus over you
In your hurting, in your sorrow
I will ask my God to move
I speak the name 'cause it's all that I can do
In desperation, I'll seek Heaven
And pray this for you
I pray for your healing, that circumstances would change
I pray that the fear inside would flee in Jesus' name
I pray that a breakthrough would happen today
I pray miracles over your life in Jesus' name
In Jesus' name
I speak the name of all authority
Declaring blessings, every promise
He is faithful to keep
I speak the name no grave could ever hold
Hе is greater, He is stronger
He's the God of possible
I pray for your healing, that circumstances would change
I pray that the fear inside would flee in Jesus' name
I pray that a breakthrough would happen today
I pray miracles over your life in Jesus' name
In Jesus' name
Come believe it, come receive it
Oh, the power of His Spirit is now forever yours
Come believe it, come receive it
In the mighty name of Jesus, all things are possible
I pray for your healing, that circumstances will change
I pray that the fear inside would flee in Jesus' name
I pray that a breakthrough would happen today
I pray miracles over your life in Jesus' name
I pray for revival, for restoration of faith
I pray that the dead will come to life in Jesus' name
In Jesus' name
I don’t live in an apartment building any more. But I’m still amazed when a storm rolls by. It stirs something inside of me and reminds me that God is on the move. I’m small, but He holds me in the palms of His hands.