“I am sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Stockdale, but your daughter is paralyzed. She will not have the use of her left leg or right arm. We highly recommend you contact Children’s Hospital and see if there is anything they can do. We have done all we can.”
The Doctor’s words pierced like a sword into the hearts of my parents. My mother and father felt helpless listening to the diagnosis. How could this be? How could such a glorious occasion of new life come packaged with disappointment and sadness?
Dad looked over at Mom, lying there in the hospital bed, and then back at the Doctor. With only a look exchanged, my parents made their decision. The words that came out of my father’s mouth next changed the course of my life forever. He thanked the Doctor for his diagnosis because now he knew how to focus his prayer. He said, “We thank you for your diagnosis, but we are going to believe that she will walk and be fully restored.”
My parents were young in their faith walk and just beginning to learn the power words had over their lives. Somehow, we think words do not affect the trajectory of our life. Yet, it was with words that God created all that we see.
In Genesis chapter one, God speaks everything that we see into existence. The same chapter says, “He saw that it was good” God saw everything that He had said.
The world we live in today was created by the words that we spoke yesterday.
It was not an instant occurrence. My parents tended to daily tasks, caring for their precious bundle; feeding, changing, burping, and loving. All the while, praying and thanking God for complete restoration in my little limbs; even though they couldn’t see it, they never changed their confession. In the middle of the night, Mom asked Dad, “Did you burp Kristen?” Dad replied comically, “I haven’t heard her burp in three days.”
Life was carrying on as usual. Then, one morning, my mom walked into my nursery. As she reached down to pick me up, she watched as I began to kick my legs and arms at the sound of her voice. She yelled, “Jim, come quick! She is moving her arms and legs!” What a miracle they were witnessing! From that day forward, I continued to get better without a trace of any complications ever existing.
I love the story about Jesus coming before Pilate. In John 18:37, Jesus answered and said, “You rightly say that I am King. For this cause I have come into the world; that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice. And Pilate said, ‘What is truth?” It is clear by Pilates’s statement that he had already concluded that truth was relative. Otherwise, he would have recognized the truth when he saw Him.
Relativism is not a new philosophy. When the truth is decided individually, it will send a person, people, and nation into moral decay. What holds true for one will not hold for another. Without absolute truth, you will have complete debauchery.
The Bible says in John 14:6, “Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life,”. John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them by your truth; your word is truth.” John 14:15 says, “His word is our guide and our truth.”
Truth is not relative. God’s Word is the truth that I can confidently stake my life upon.
Jesus came in defense of life. Not just ordinary existence but life lived in fullness, abundance, and prosperity. He does not want us trapped in sickness and disease, handicaps, and inabilities. Although they do exist, do not ever think the current state of your circumstance is the end of your story. My mother often says, “If it is not good, it is not the end.”
I walk today because of the truth my parents spoke over my life. Had it not been for their Biblical confessions, my story would look very different today. The power of God’s Word will always fulfill the promise of His Word.
My parents never made the call to Children’s Hospital. Perhaps money was a factor or too many unknown questions at the time, I am unsure, but either way, they decided in the room where I was born that they were taking me home. And that is precisely what they did.
“The reason birds can fly and we cannot is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.”
JM Barrie
Welcome Home
“The entirety of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous judgments endures forever.” Psalms 119:160
Don’t forget your copy of HOME SWEET HOME. Available on Amazon. Just click the link below!
If you are enjoying these posts please SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, and SHARE below!
Beautiful Kristen. Arent you glad for Godly parents?💓
Yes!
I have loved your story. I am glad I came across it.
I am glad you enjoyed. Thank you for commenting!