Thankful Me

It's happened to me many more times than I can remember. My clearest thoughts come to me late, late at night, sometimes when it's closer to morning than evening. What is it about nighttime thoughts?

The other night I woke up at 4 a.m. and realized that my neck muscle I had pulled the day before was not getting any better. In fact, my neck felt so stiff, and the poor muscle in question stretched down into my back, making me feel like an invalid! I was scheduled to help in the nursery in church that morning and I knew there was no way I'd be able to pick up a child, let alone turn my head to shoulder check on my way driving to church. I dreaded the phone call I'd have to make to the nursery director, who did not need a cancellation at this point. Suddenly I thought, "Hey, I have a direct line to God, the best doctor in the universe. Doesn't that count for something? Do I have to give in to this limitation?  It's scary, but I'm going to pray for myself right now. Yes, to be healed." Now, I believe God heals, but I know He doesn't always choose to (for reasons we may never know in this life). But I thought I'd take my chances, so I prayed for myself and thanked Him for healing me. Less than two minutes later, I hesitantly began to lift my head off the pillow and turn over. I kid you not, the STIFFNESS WAS GONE! No, I didn't feel a warm sensation flood my body or see an angel in the corner of the room or anything. It was as 'unspectacular' as could be, but I had no doubts that something had changed for the better. I went back to sleep, thanking God for this gift, and woke up able to attend church and play with the little children. I still feel a bit of muscle soreness, but it is not limiting me today!

So, today I'm thankful for a God who is all-powerful and loves to give good gifts to His children, just because of who He is.

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saves (and heals)  us!