Simplicity

"...Mark this:  Unless you accept God's Kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in."  Luke 18:17 (The Message)






We received a very special package at our home last November.  The story begins with my Aunt Sharon and Uncle Duane, who serve as the Children's Ministries Directors for the North Texas District.  Uncle Duane had attended a children's conference in Minnesota last Fall.  During the conference, the children were invited to simply rest and soak in the presence of God and afterward encouraged to share what they thought God might be saying to them.  Later the next day, some of the children were asked to draw pictures of what God had spoken to them.  Uncle Duane said it was an amazing thing to see the children respond to the presence of God.


A few weeks later, after my uncle had returned home to Texas, he felt impressed to share Luke's needs with the leader of this conference. Luke's needs were shared with this group of children at Park Assembly in Minnesota.  Their children's pastor explained some challenges that Luke was facing and then they spent time praying specifically for Luke.  Afterwards, they were given an opportunity to write down any words or pictures that they were given during that prayer time.  












You'll see why were so touched by these letters and pictures.  You'll also understand why some are tear-stained.  We opened the package and read each one. I can say in all sincerity the presence of God filled our living room that day.  It was all so simple, and yet so anointed by the Holy Spirit.  






The letters and pictures couldn't remain in the package. 








They were pulled out and read over and over and over again.  We have framed a few of them to hang in the boys' room, as a reminder of God's Word and His promise.








We've endured some very difficult days in the last 4 months. You can't receive news that your son is diagnosed with a rare, catastrophic epilepsy disorder without having your world crumble. The diagnosis came at time when Luke already seemed so fragile...even without epilepsy.   We were already facing a Grade 3 and Grade 4 brain bleed resulting in significant fluid on Luke's brain, ramifications of intestinal surgery, visual impairment, developmental delays, a feeding tube, a weakened immune system.......only to be followed by those frightful words, "Your son has Infantile Spasms."




Enter the children of Park Assembly in Minnesota.








They heard about Luke, as I said, through my uncle. This is what they had to say....or rather, what they sensed God was saying to us about Luke.

Hi, my name is Austin and I just wanted to tell you God loves you and that I am praying for Luke. This is God's heart and this piece of God's heart is going out to Luke.

God is going to heal Luke!!! I am praying for you and I hope you get comfort from God. Healing power is being released for Luke to heal. God loves Luke and Luke's parents and he wants them to be comforted because Luke will get healed. 

Hope is always there!  The sun will shine at just the right time.

Dear Family of Luke, 

My name is Michelle Asare. When you get this prayer I want you to say it.

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that you'll come over Luke.  Cover his body with your blood. We cancel any plan of the devil right now in Jesus mighty name. We pray that Luke has no more sickness. Fire right now go away. Come over him and heal him.  Amen.

I'm praying for you Luke.  get better soon!

(I love the picture of God lifting weights, saying "This is a sinch!"

And, of course, the sun with sunglasses on.)  :)

So, here they hang on the wall.....as daily encouragement.

I put a couple more on the fridge. I don't believe in a "clean" refrigerator  door. :)   

God will heal Luke.

The Father of God will heal your son completely.  

(Can you guess  which word is my favorite in this picture?   Completely.)

The other day as I was preparing one of Luke's ketogenic meals, I opened the fridge and glanced at the pictures hanging on the door. I thought, "mmmh...I never would have guessed when I hung these pictures up, that part of Luke's miracle would literally be in the fridge."  Certainly as far as seizures are concerned, I truly believe our miracle has been the ketogenic diet..... so thankful that God gave us the wisdom to choose this treatment and that Luke's body has responded as well as it has.

Maybe one day, I'll be able to thank the kids of Park Assembly in Minnesota in person.... To hug their necks and tell them how much it means to us that they are praying for our Luke. 

 I have a whole bunch of kids to thank......all over the world. From 2-year olds to tweens...they're all praying.  I can't tell you how many times I've been told, "My kids pray for Luke every single night!"  There are stories of kids calling parents back into the room at night "because we forgot to pray for Luke, Mom!"   My cousin's children took a recent list of prayer needs we sent out and divided it up amongst themselves so that each area is prayed for everyday.  

We've been so touched by these constant, fervent prayers. They mean the world to us.  I can't wait to share all of this with Luke and Caleb one day.  To show them how much kids matter in the Kingdom of God.  

 I know despite all the miracles we've already seen, there is more to come. 

We simply ask.....simply trust....simply wait for a complete work of healing in Luke's life.