PERSISTENCE PAYS

Blog 250

June 20,2022

MIRACLES NEVER CEASE!

Robert L. Wise explores the world of divine interventions from an objective point of view. An Archbishop in the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches with a Ph.D., Rev. Wise relates his interviews with persons who experienced the touch of God.

PERSISTENCE PAYS

A number of times Jesus taught about the value of endurance even in the midst of struggles. In the l8th chapter of Luke’s Gospel, he gave the parable of the widow and the unjust judge with the admonition to always pray and not give up. Lydiah Parkinson’s story is an encouragement to us when the clouds seem to be hanging heavy over our house. She found this to be important in her life as she struggled to have a baby. Born in Kenya, East Africa, Lydiah had become a licensed practical nurse. Her story makes the point. Divine interventions often take more time than we expect.

Lydiah and her husband Terry had been married for a year and a half when they decided they wanted a family. Unfortunately, they didn’t seem to be able to conceive. They turned to Dr. Benny Walker who recommended specialists in St. Paul, Minnesota. Extensive tests were run but no physical abnormalities were found. Lydiah began to pray over and over again. All they wanted was a baby…. just one baby would be fine, but nothing seemed to happen. She even began to envy other young mothers who seemed to have children so easily.

One Sunday evening, Lydiah attended Abundant Life Church, Blaine, Minnesota because an evangelist from Russia was speaking. During the service, this unknown pastor stopped and called for her to come to the front of the church. As the Holy Spirit moved, the evangelist had a word of knowledge. He told Lydiah that her desperate prayers had been heard and they would be answered within the coming year. She was surprised and hopeful … but…

Migraine headaches began to occur and she had to fight depression. Still struggling, she and her husband turned to artificial insemination. When nothing happened, Lydiah began to think about adoption of a child from another country, but her father James Mutahi had another idea. A deeply spiritual person, he believed that God still had a different plan for them. He encouraged her to continue in prayer and not lose sight of what her faith could bring. He encouraged Lydiah and Terry to believe that they would have a baby of their own.

One month later all of those prayers were answered. Lydiah was pregnant! The pregnancy was difficult with complications. Lydiah lost weight and struggled through hard days but the delivery came and a beautiful baby girl was born. Even with all the adversities and the weight loss problem, what the Russian evangelist told her had come to pass. Baby Kimberly Elisabeth was everything they had hoped for.

Perhaps, you are wondering if all those complications been could have been avoided. I have no answer to that question. Possibly, the problem arose from circumstances we can’t understand. The real answer is that God’s promise came to pass. Next time you are struggling with delay, remember Lydiah as well as the story of Hannah in I Samuel. Ofter persistence does its own work in our life. Delay can build faith even when the darkness sets in. In those dark moments often the most important lessons of endurance are learned. Remember that the arm of the Lord is never short.

By the way, did you discover the miraculous during 2021? Please email me your story at: miracles@miraclesnevercease.com.

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MIRACLES NEVER CEASE!