My thoughts on Christmas miracles has been at the forefront of my mind this holiday season, for the last week. Our family was struggling with with a few problems this year. One, I won’t go into because it is intensely private and affects others. Another was a severe illness that affected my mother requiring her to do some new, and innovative, but highly dangerous treatments. She had to use this pump device that tapped into her belly, delivering a medication aimed at reducing the blood pressure inside of her lungs; that high pressure was killing her.
There were no promises with this treatment…in fact, the doctors didn’t know if it would help her or not. Every few days the medication had to be increased. There were side effects, there was apprehension because of the responsibility burden. You see, this pump- like device has complicated programming. It has to be inserted through the stomach wall and be moved around every few days. Very few doctors or hospitals in the country are trained to have knowledge on treating patients with this device. My parents live in an extremely rural environment…the concern was valid; what if there was a medical emergency?
The miracle you say, what is the miracle? With a medical review this week after some testing last week has reveal the pulmonary blood pressure that was abornomally high, (115) when the normal, average person has a level of (20), has been miraculously reduced. People had been praying for my mother all around the country. She had gone from being a basically healthy person, to having to have oxygen 24 hours a day. She was told that this rare pulmonary hypertension disease was progressive and that she would never get any better; in fact, she would only get worse and it would kill her.
Here’s the thing, the doctors were positively amazed. In fact, the one doctor had to go back and verify her identity because as he said; if he were going strictly by the testing…he could not even comprehend how this was the same patient. He made her verify her identity because the testing revealed an almost impossible improvement. My mother went from a previous lung pressure of 115 down to an eye popping 18. That is back in the realm of what a healthy person without the disease of pulmonary hypertension has for pressure in their lungs. 
We got this news yesterday….just in time for Christmas. God gave hope to a family who previously had hoped to only improve her situation because that was the best that we were allowed to hope for from the doctor’s prognosis.
What does that mean for her prognosis NOW? No one seems to know; as the doctors said, they have never had any patient respond to this medication in this way. They don’t know what will happen. She could get off of the oxygen completely, in the future, or at least, she may be reduced in her need for it. The doctors kept calling in other medical professionals yesterday to show them the results; and, to introduce them to a real live miracle…even the doctors called her that. That is powerful!
Switching gears, it’s not on the same level to some people…however, about a week ago one of our black labs became seriously ill. No one knew why. He was dehydrated, he was listless, he would not eat, nor play with his black lab brother…he was dying. We were devatated at the idea of loosing him; he is precious to us. We had people praying for him. He got to come inside and live in the basement while we fed him Gatorade with an eye dropper, while we were trying to rehydrate him and give him some nutrients. After a week, and many prayers by many people (including friends on the internet around the country); our dog is once again well enough to eat, to drink, to wrestle with his brother and to move back into his pen in the barn with his fluffy bed of straw and his pet CAT.
LOL, yes , I said his pet cat. A few weeks ago, my two dogs adopted a stray cat. The cat comes to the barn and their pen when there are no people around. The cat does not like people. This cat will lay down in the straw with the two dogs and they do not hurt each other. In fact, they are great companions. If we humans go out to play with the dogs, or to feed the animals…the cat scrambles to run away and hide. It only comes back when we are gone. The cat was homeless until my dogs adopted it. These animals are a community to one another; if animals can do this, take care of one another…why can’t human beings be more loving and giving? God commands us to care for those who are poor or in need…I am amazed that my animals have more compassion towards others than many people do for one another!
While my dog Chance was sick…this cat would go to their pen and look for my dogs. It appeared to be upset that they were not there. Now they are reunited. A homeless cat, a formerly ill dog, his brother and they are a healthy happy family once again…just in time for Christmas.
You know, for each person who is filled with joy, laughter and hope…there are hurting people who are struggling with sadness, pain, depression or loss. I am asking you to be a light…in whatever capacity you can be this season and every day of your life. Don’t just think on these things at the holiday season…make it a year round way of living.
This may require some sacrifice on your part. Share some of what you have, whether it be joy, a listening ear, time or money. Give a little of what you have been blessed with…even if it hurts a little or costs you something; you will be blessed for it. Live in gratitude that you have things to give and share with others, many others do not.
I read a story on the internet today that both saddened me and filled me with many uplifting emotions as well. A church in Vermont has been struggling with their finances so much that they can’t keep up the repairs on their church. While some may see that as a lack of ability to be good stewards of their finances…others with more wisdom, know that there is more to the story. You see this church also runs a homeless shelter. They feed and house many people who are without the basic things that many of us take for granted. Their finances are running low and they had to find a way to add to their finances or close down their homeless shelter.
That would be a horrible thing…so they decided to do something that will sacrifice a material, Earthly thing that they cherish…a Tiffany, stained- glass window that is 100 years old. This window has added much to this church and they value it. Here is the important lesson, they value those people in the homeless shelter even more than they do the Tiffany window! They have an offer right now, to sell this window for $75,000 dollars.
Do they want to sell it? No! Will they sell it if they have to? Yes! So, if you know someone who has money to spare…and they want to buy it…send them this link. Maybe the church can get more for the window; or, maybe they will get a Christmas miracle and someone will take mercy on them and just donate enough money to keep the shelter open, allowing them to fix up their church building, and keep the 100 year old Tiffany window that tells a biblical story. Here is the link to the story on ABC news…feel free to share it! http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=9404724 Spread the word of the situation; and, spread the hope and joy of the season…maybe they too will have a story to share of faith and another Christmas miracle! Be a light people.
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Thanks for sharing this link with me. I’m so glad to hear about your mom and Chase. I love it when God steps in and leaves the humans wondering
Last year we lost my brother-in-law 2 days before Christmas. We had my mother-in-law living here, dying from cancer, Hospice in and out every few days, for weeks. I had also just given birth to our 3rd mini human. Needless to say, this year is more relaxed/fun for us. I’m glad to hear about your blessings, also! The story about the church is amazing. My dad ran a homeless shelter for 3 years during my youth. I like to say, “We may not have much but there is ALWAYS someone with less!” So – we can give, give, give – always! Thanks again for your kind heart.
Miracles are always great news and lovely to know about. But Christmas miracles are just the best.
Thanks, Rainy. And Merry Christmas…let’s wait for news about more Christmas Miracles this year to cheer our hearts!
Hugs
Mother Connie