Somewhere around the age of 12, I visited the dentist where they sealed my doom. I needed braces. An appointment was made with the orthodontist. I waited in anguish. And prayed. I'd heard stories of getting braces and the pain involved. I'd also heard of the expense and I felt for my parents. My prayers sounded something like this. "Jesus, I don't understand why I need to have a dentist fix my teeth. You're the Great Physician. You could do it yourself. Please straighten my teeth." I did a fair bit of begging. The kind my kids do to me today and it drives me batty.
The day on the calendar got closer and my Mom took me off to see the dreaded man in the white apron. First the X-rays were taken. Here's where the surprise came. The orthodontist pulled up the X-ray sent through from my dentist a couple months prior and compared the two. My teeth had straightened so considerably in those few months (or weeks, can't remember) that he decided I no longer needed the braces. I walked out of that office one happy girl!
Moral of the story: Nag. Nag. Nag. (When it comes to prayer)
Jesus is still in the healing business.
Jesus loves to give good gifts to his children.
Jesus is our Great Physician.
"You have not because you have not."
How many of God's gifts go unopened because we don't ask?!
"And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:9-13)
I believe we're supposed to take Jesus at his word. To believe in his love and his goodness enough to ask for the impossible and the lovely and good and perfect that seems so far out of our reach but so close and easy for Him.
Thank you Jesus for the miracles you so freely gave and continue to give. Thank you for your Holy Spirit whom you died to give us so that we never have to be separated from you, your presence, your love and your power.
