By Gale Futterman
Karma? Fate? Luck? Nature? Being around unsaved loved ones over the last few weeks, we have heard many explanations for the wonders around us, but we as believers know the only One who truly works miracles. The following is an excerpt from our family newsletter that tells about a miracle that my daughter Amy and I witnessed recently. First, a little bit of background: there are three churches share a building for their weekly services; a Hispanic congregation on Friday nights, a Messianic congregation on Saturday mornings, and a regular multi-racial Sunday morning congregation. Every time the three have a combined event, God seems to "show up" in unique ways. I think He really likes it when His "kids" do things together. May you be blessed in the retelling of this wonderful, awe-inspiring event, and will you please pray for those who will be reading about this who may credit someone other than the one true God.
We close our letter this year with a miracle that Amy and Gale witnessed on December 11, 2004, at a women's luncheon. For quite some time a woman named Shirley has been attending Ohav Shalom Messianic Congregation. We had watched and prayed as Shirley's degenerative bone condition worsened. Her back arched and she endured great pain even just to walk. Her legs could barely support her slight frame; she was walking with a four-post cane on one side, her husband supporting her on the other. At the women's luncheon, after the speaker finished teaching, she asked if any of the women would like prayer in Jesus' name. Shirley was one who responded to her request. All of a sudden, we looked up in response to Shirley's excited laughter to see her doing deep-knee bends, all the way to the floor, and then dancing around in a circle. God had healed her! You know, many of us believe that God CAN heal, and we pray in faith for people to be healed, but not everyone has personally observed a miraculous restoration like this. It is truly exhilarating! Shirley said that she could actually feel her crooked spine straightening and the strength returning to her legs. It had been many years since she had stood up straight . . . many years! The room became energized with the women's happy shouts and thankful songs of praise to God, who heals and restores – spirit, soul, and body.
I hope you were also "energized" by Shirley's story. Keep praying, friends! God is still in the miracle-working business. Not everyone will be restored in such a remarkable way as Shirley - since the garden, these bodies won't last forever. But may we, in whatever state of health we find ourselves, be thankful for every breath, for each moment, that He gives us, and may we truly reflect His glory in 2005!