Never Say Never
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 (NIV)
Have you ever been told by a doctor, friend, parent, or anyone that something will NEVER happen? I honestly cannot keep count of the “nevers” or “most likely nots” my family has experienced through Jacob’s recovery. The funny thing is, we never believed these words one single time they were said to us. What’s even crazier is that I never thought I was crazy for believing they were wrong. Sometimes I sit and wonder what God’s expression must look like when people use the word never.
I could talk about so many things on this subject in my devotional, but my all time favorite is what was said by a doctor. The personality change was discussed one day and we were told our son would “never have the personality that he did before.” Well, the doctor was right for a few years. It has been the most staggering thing to see my son slowly fall back into his personality. Think about all the little quirks, habits, sayings, and the funny and annoying things that make up your child’s personality. Imagine not seeing these for years… Then one day, gradually they start creeping out again. I’m thinking of the farting noises when boys cup their hand into their shoulder and it sounds so real. Expressions and looks made at certain times. Songs you love to sing. Phrases or sayings that you have no idea what they mean, but you know it must be something funny. Repeating the lyrics to favorite movies over and over again. Just being happy again and smiling for no reason. Doing random things that do not make sense like shaving your head. The sound of a good whistle. Getting back to mocking the mom. And my favorite, the hoot owl sound and turkey calling that doesn’t end.
I know this might not sound like much, but we were all used to this person, and his personality, and then he was gone. But that’s the thing about prayer. When you pray the “nevers” away, the word definitely speaks up. So I will end with this. Never say never when it comes to God’s work. Jacob definitely has the same personality that he had before his injury. Everyday I smile when I see and hear all of the things that make up the person that Jacob is. Even the annoying turkey call.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Counting My Blessings,
Susan Browder
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