Little did we know that after the glitter and tinsel of Christmas 2019, the lack of snowfall of the winter season and the chocolate hearts of Valentines Day 2020, the world would fall into chaos and change would be our future.
Neither did I know that a health issue with one of my children would lead me to a radical change of faith and prayer.
"Therefore, I say unto you, what things you desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" Mark 11:24
On December 24, 2019, during a Christmas gathering, my 43 year old son, Brandon mentioned the fact, he was having trouble with his right eye. He described a blurry spot that would not go away and that he had become very sensitive to sunlight. We strongly encouraged him to see an optometrist as soon as possible.
After a few texts to keep reminding him, an initial appointment was made in March 2020.
As the world started to shift with the news of the Coronavirus, our personal world shifted as well, when he received a diagnosis of Macular Degeneration.
It was thought to be in the mild stages, so a follow up appointment was made 4 months later in July 2020. I won't even try to describe the emotional blow or the racing thoughts, as those 4 months crept by at a snails pace and the world continued to lock down in fear and uncertainty. But, living and praying in faith and knowing God was in control, I knew he would be okay, whatever his future held.
"Faith does not always take you out of the storm, but it will calm you in the storm"
The July appointment; the doctor maintained the first diagnosis, but since the inflammation had progressed rapidly, he decided to send him to a specialist at Vanderbilt. Ten days later, Macular Degeneration was ruled out and a second diagnosis was given. Birdshot Uveitis, a rare disease, most likely caused by an autoimmune disorder resulting in extreme inflammation in the lining of his eyeball.
Complete blood work and chest xrays were done and prednisone was prescribed to prepare his body for a drug normally used in cancer treatment, to treat the disease that had attacked his eye.
A second visit to the specialist at Vanderbilt consisted of a discussion about taking part in a clinical trial because of the rarity of the disease. Results of the labs and xrays had not been completed and the word "Lymphoma" was floated among the discussion between the doctors.
Show me the path where I should walk, oh Lord; point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Psalms 25:4-5
I will never doubt God directing my steps and placing me where I needed to be to grow in faith at a time when faith was needed.
May 10, 2020, Mother's Day, we were able to return to a modified church schedule and sometime in mid-August, we resumed a small group study on Sunday night. The study was on Faith, using a small book written about 70 years ago by Manley Beasley, a powerful man of God and a man of great faith.
In reference to the verse "Therefore I say unto you, what things soever you desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" Mark 11:24
Manley said, "if you have been praying for something, when are you going to believe that your prayer is answered"? When you see it? True faith is believing, when you ask, that it is already done. 
"Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Hebrews 11:1
Jesus promised that "What things soever ye desire, when you pray, believe (act) that ye receive them and ye shall have them"
Mark 11:24
The supply is there before our need is acknowledged.
This morning, my dear friend posted her daily devotion on facebook based on the scripture from Luke 8:43-44.
*"And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind Him and touched the edge of His cloak and immediately her bleeding stopped." (NIV)
The woman simply believed that the Lord could heal her and she acted on it.
In our world today, we have reduced and redefined faith to mean, I think, I hope, I wish....when in reality, faith means confidence, trust, assurance and obedience. Every prayer we pray should be an attempt to touch the hem of his cloak (or garment KJV).
On August 30 2020, halfway through this Faith Study, and a discussion with my pastor, my prayers changed from asking for healing---- to believing and thanking God for the healing He was already doing in my son's body.
"We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but the unseen." 2 Corinthians 4:18
On September 10, 2020, with a dread of what the tests had revealed, Brandon went in for a consultation for the results of his blood work, chest xrays and the next step in his treatment.
His blood work was negative for any abnormalities and his lungs are clear...and by the way, he's been a smoker (almost 30 years) since he was a teenager and his lungs are clear!
It has now been determined that the problem with his eye is caused by a fungus that lives in the soil in areas of Tennessee. He most likely contracted the fungus by breathing it in while working; crawling under houses installing duct work for HVAC systems. He will continue treatment with the eye drops and the time frame could be lengthy, but the road to restoration of his eye is so much brighter.
* "Every prayer should be filled with the kind of faith that will seek a miracle." and I am claiming God's miracle!
"When a child is in need, it is evidence that the supply is already there"...
Manley Beasley, Adventures in Faith
* some content taken from my friend, Mary Martin's morning devotion post
