Pathways Press.com

Written by Bobbi Capin from the Village Church.

In 1971, while stationed in Camp Lejeune, NC, I attended a Bible study with a friend. I took my 18-month-old, and she took hers, both going off to the nursery. The next morning, I was unable to awaken my daughter. She was running a very high fever of 106. I called my Bible study friend whose husband was head of the Pediatric division of the hospital, and she advised me to take her in immediately. After many tests they finally gave her a spinal tap and she was admitted to the hospital with H Flu bacterial meningitis. Where to go, what to do., For we who believe in a loving, faithful God there is nowhere else to go but to the Lord. I found myself kneeling at her crib with deep prayers for healing. We were in need of assistance to help with our older daughter so that were freed up to be at the hospital. Neighbors, though understanding, were fearful of transmission. In 1971 there was no inoculation for this disease. My Mom (Helen Downey) to the rescue. She flew down on a moment’s notice to help out for a number of days. My husband was required to sign a paper indicating that the outcome may not be what we had prayed for. Pam was in isolation and quarantined; put on antibiotics for 10 days and cared for by a loving staff. My friend’s doctor husband was a Christian who cared deeply for others. Each night he would go to Pam’s room before going home and lay hands on her with sincere prayers for healing I wasn’t much into the laying on of hands at the time. You needn’t ask me how I feel about that now. This was our time to surrender control and trust our God. Though this was a huge setback, there were much needed positive outcomes as well … changes in priorities and a deeper appreciation for the daily blessings our Lord provides. Pam came home a happy toddler and is now a wonderful speech/language pathologist with a family of her own and assisting youngsters with their needs. Praise God for answer to prayer. Through this setback we were also provided the opportunity to grow, to depend wholeheartedly on God’s will, and to be grateful for His daily provisions.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. [Psalm 121:1-2]