His Promises are Sure

Well, I believe I promised you an encouraging post about God's faithfulness. I think I'm starting to realize just how important it is to encourage one another through testimonies of what God has done. Don't get me wrong, I'm always a fan of being there to encourage someone who is having a difficult time through kind words and deeds, through offering a shoulder or a hug, but I've always been afraid that sharing something marvelous that God has done in my life would just rub salt in the wound. But maybe not. Maybe we need to be vocal about the miracles God does in our lives, so those holding on to a promise will continue to hold on. So here goes.

I'm going to tell you a little bit about my beautiful, wild little boy. He was my first child, so I didn't know what to expect, but I have a lot of mommy friends who have children around the same age, so there's plenty of opportunity for comparison. Terrible, right? We all know you never compare your children to others, but let's be honest, it's nearly impossible, especially when everyone shares every milestone on social media. I watched with horror - you read that right, horror - as their children began to speak and dance and grow. I was horrified for one reason: my child wasn't. He learned a few words, then around the time his sister was born - he was eighteen months - things changed. He wouldn't speak. He wouldn't look at us. He had no interest in playing with other children, or even acknowledging they existed. He resented his sister taking his mommy away. It was the darkest, hardest season I have ever endured.

So here I was, watching, waiting, wondering. I started to fear the worst, and I spent countless nights curled up in my husband's arms, sobbing as my little boy played by himself in the corner. I couldn't coax him over to play with me. I couldn't force him to make eye contact no matter what I did. Then God placed someone in my path who told me about a program in our state to help children with delays. So I contacted them, and they scheduled an evaluation. And we waited. It was almost a month before they finally came out to see him. He was well over two at this point, and he hadn't spoken a single word in a couple months.

At this point, you're probably wondering how this post is in any way encouraging. We're getting there, I promise. I needed you to know the whole story to truly understand what God has done.

So they did the evaluation, and I sat down to hear what they had to say. And all my worst fears were realized, the countless nights I had wept, afraid of what was wrong. Autism, she said. Of course, I had said it myself, and it had crushed me to the very core of my being, and I would sob endlessly, but in that moment, when she spoke the word, God showed me something. It was going to be okay. If all my worst fears were realized, this little boy would still have my whole heart. My love for him would be no less, and he would be no less amazing. Because, you see, God doesn't make mistakes. He brought to my mind a scripture. Psalms 139:14:

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

And if the story had ended here, it would have been a happy one. I felt peace. I knew I had this fantastic kid and I loved him, and God loved Him. He was fearfully and wonderfully made.

But the story didn't end here.

That night, I laid in bed, and I heard God speak a promise to me. It was clear and direct, no mistaking what He was saying. It was just two words. Rebuke Autism.

I know this should have been a wonderful moment. In those two words, God was promising me that my little boy would be healed, that the God that created Him would reach down and touch his mind and make him whole. But I had made peace. I was comfortable with the way things were, and I knew a promise also meant a battle. There was a call to action in that promise. He didn't say Autism is gone, He told me to rebuke it, meaning I needed to fight for the promise God gave me. And I knew it wouldn't be easy. Battles never are.

So for months I prayed. I held him as he slept and I spoke things over him through a stream of tears. I held on to that promise. There were moments where I had to go to my husband and implore him to pray because my faith wasn't as strong as it should be. When my faith really began to falter, I asked my pastors to pray over him. I used the people God had put in my life to help me fight. I think that's important to note!

Just over a week ago, on a Tuesday afternoon, my little two and a half year old boy ran up to me, looked me straight in the eye, and said 'I love you'. And with bleary eyes, I said 'I love you, too!' And he smiled the most beautiful smile I have ever seen and then crawled up beside me on the couch to snuggle. And in that moment, I knew the war was won. The battles aren't over, and I will keep fighting, because the enemy will always try to steal the promises God gives us, but the war is won!

Maybe you've been holding on to a promise from God for months, years, maybe even decades. Well, be encouraged! No matter how long it takes, God's promises do not fail! And if you need a little help holding on to that promise, find someone who will pray with you, who will stand beside you and fight. I would be more than happy to stand with you! And for those of you who have seen God's promises fulfilled, testify of his faithfulness! Tell your stories, because sometimes we need to be encouraged, reminded that God is faithful. We need to hear what God has done for you!

         Psalm 145:13(NIV)

 13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
    and faithful in all he does

2 Corinthians 1:20(NKJV)

20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

Joshua 23:14(NIV)

14 “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.