The Upper Room Daily Devotional from The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States Devotional for Saturday, 3 November 2018 2018 "Hoping for a Miracle" by Carol Harrison (Saskatchewan, Canada)

The Upper Room Daily Devotional from The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States Devotional for Saturday, 3 November 2018 2018 "Hoping for a Miracle" by Carol Harrison (Saskatchewan, Canada)

(Image: Pixabay)

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 (NIV))For 36 hours, I had watched helplessly while my newborn daughter fought for her life. In a coma, Amee needed machines to breathe for her, monitor her heart, and supply her with nourishment and medication. Her chance of survival stood at five percent. My anxious thoughts became jumbled prayers. As I began to wonder if my prayers reached beyond the ceiling, God began to fill my heart with the words from Paul quoted above.
I gave my doubts, anxieties, and fears to God. As I gave God thanks for the gift of my daughter, I realized that God loved her more than I ever could. As soon as I sincerely uttered the words, “I trust you, God, to heal my daughter in your way and your timing,” I felt peace as if a warm blanket were wrapped around me. My baby’s situation had not changed, but my 
attitude had.
Throughout these past 34 years of Amee’s life, I have seen medical impossibilities become reality and have continued to praise God for this unfolding miracle. When we turn over to God all the circumstances of our lives, God can take our jumbled prayers and do more than we could ever ask or imagine. The answers, the miracles, might not be what we expected — but they just might be exactly what we need.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help us to trust you in all the circumstances of our lives. Amen.
TODAY'S READING: Philippians 4:4-9
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in union with the Lord always! I will say it again: rejoice! 5 Let everyone see how reasonable and gentle you are. The Lord is near! 6 Don’t worry about anything; on the contrary, make your requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. 7 Then God’s shalom, passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with the Messiah Yeshua. 8 In conclusion, brothers, focus your thoughts on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy. 9 Keep doing what you have learned and received from me, what you have heard and seen me doing; then the God who gives shalom will be with you. (Complete Jewish Bible)
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: God knows exactly what I need.
PRAYER FOCUS: Neonatologists
READ MORE: Link2Life - November 3
Link2Life - November 3 BY CAROL HARRISON (SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA)
RELATED DEVOTIONALS: HOPING FOR A MIRACLE
Amee in the incubator at 3 days old - the first photo Carol has of her
Carol with Amee in recent years

Amee last year. She now rides horses with Special Olympics Equestrian.

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