A Miracle in My Child’s Life

Svetlana and daughter Olga

Olga with her 2nd child, 7 years later

This story began 7 years ago. My daughter Olga, (she was 17 years old), began to notice that her hip hurt more and more every day. She began to experience muscle contractions that would not relax (charley horse). She told me about her pain, but I did not give it special attention. It was one year later when I noticed that her left leg was thinner than her right that I began to worry. As her pain intensified, I could hear a crack in her hip when she would walk.

My heart was breaking; I blamed myself that I had not responded to her complaints in a timely manner and did not seek medical attention. My daughter and I began to pray and cry out to God. Every evening, when Olga was undressing and getting ready for bed, I saw the difference in the thickness of her legs, and my heart bled. I kept the pain to myself, not showing my distress to Olga.

Soon we decided to seek medical attention. The neurologist looked at Olga, made an x-ray, and identified her diagnosed as coxarthrosis of the hip. Olga was assigned a long list of medications: pills, injections, and intramuscular injections directly into the joint. She and I went to the drugstore and bought everything that was prescribed by a doctor. It was very expensive. At home, we read the abstracts for these drugs and were horrified by the possible side effects. When Olga learned that the injections would go directly into the joint, she was even more terrified. She tearfully said firmly that she would not take this medication, but it would be better to pray and believe that God would heal her. It was a large measure of faith, but without hesitation. Her young faith (only four years old) that God would heal her inspired me.

We prayed for one month, two, and three. Nothing happened. My faith began to waver, seeing the physical condition of my daughter, when I would look at her left leg, thinner than her right. I looked through my physical eyes of fact, not my spiritual eyes of faith. The fact was that my daughter was sick.

At this time, I had conversation with my co-worker. She was disabled. Until now, I did not know her diagnosis. It turned out that she had the same diagnosis as my daughter. She had been taking medication for many years, such as was designated for Olga. This disease leads to disability. This fact shook my faith even more. I told my daughter and she said, "you can give your co-worker all my medications, I still will not take them. I believe that God will heal me."
I did just that. My colleague was very pleased to receive the drugs, and looked at me with surprise when I told her why I was giving her the medications. When I gave her the medication, my faith increased. Somewhere deep in my subconscious I always thought that we would still have to use them.

My daughter and I continued to pray and believe in God's miracle. And it happened! One year later God answered our prayers!

I was working the night shift and I had some free time. I opened my Bible and began reading: Psalm 34: 19 - 21 “The righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.” (NIV) “Not broken” - will not rub off! (When the disease is a deformed femur). God, in my spirit, has sent word and healed Olga! As it says in Psalm 107: 20 – “He sent forth his word, and healed them …” (NIV)

Immediately, I called my daughter with delight and joy (words cannot express my emotion at that moment) to proclaim my wonderful news: “God will heal you!” And she screamed with joy, too: “Yes, I know. God healed me! He just told me!” God said this to Olga and me at the same time. It is a miracle!

A week later, we decided to have a medical examination. The doctor made an x-ray and said, “You will do well, you're healthy.” Even so, we have two pictures that prove the healing.

Luke 18: 7-8 “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him night and day? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” NIV

Let my story be an encouragement to those who have faith. Continue to pray, read the Bible. Everyone has a measure of faith. Let your faith grow. Trust God. God responds to faith and wants to see faith in our hearts.

An Object Lesson from the Creator

     This is not my story. It was written by another of those who work for the Creator. After reading this story, having felt the same connection, I realized how powerful a message it sends. So I will share it with you.

     "In the summer, tons of tomato seeds were planted in pots on my balcony. I have never grown tomato plants by myself and wasn't really sure what to do besides water them and keep them in the sun. By the end of the summer, 12 plants had grown to their expected height. Each one had beautiful yellow blooms but no tomatoes!

      In the Fall, I decided to let 10 of them die because I was tired of watering them not seeing even one tomato. I didn't want to have worthless plants to care for during the winter in my apartment. However, two were saved because their pot could easily be relocated to the windowsill. I continued to water them and made sure they were in direct sunlight every day, but still nothing.

     Then, it snowed. Winter brought shorter days, more clouds and less sunlight. I started thinking it might be time to throw out these last two plants. After all, who wants things that aren't producing? I gave them two weeks just because of their green leaves since everything else green was gone. It snowed again.

     One morning I noticed some round things growing out of the yellow blooms! Amazing! Talking to God, I said, 'I don't understand why You waited until after it snowed before You made them grow. Who would have thought there would be tomatoes growing HERE in winter?' I was silenced when He reminded me,

     'Think about the people here? How you don't see anything happening when you think it is the peak time for things to happen? Remember, harvesting is done in My time not yours. Trust Me. I'm working and like those tomatoes, there WILL be a harvest, but in My time!'

      How many more tomatoes would I have if I hadn't thrown away the other 10 plants? This thought challenged me! When I don't see what God is doing, my faith must be strong because He works when conditions are favorable and when they are not. I must be careful not to throw away relationships with people because they are much more valuable than tomato plants and only the Father knows if and when they will produce fruit.

     I was filled with even more amazement for my Creator after this object lesson! He's still working here and this brings me encouragement. Lately God has given me unbelievable and unexpected opportunities. I'm a little slow learning and applying the lessons He teaches me. However, I am thankful for His faithfulness to keep His promises and His never-ending patience to endure slow learners."