“But God! (Part V)”

Friday, March 11, 2022

Greetings, Dear Friends ~

I pray it is well with your soul on today and am grateful for another opportunity to share with you through this Selah blog post!  We are continuing with our series, “But God!”—which is part five (out of six).” 

As we begin, I invite to allow the following passage of Scripture, taken I Corinthians 1:27 (ESV), nourish your soul: 

“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.”

Almost 23 years ago, I had the privilege of being in the delivery room with my sister-friend, Michelle, when my goddaughter, Kaytee, was born.  It was such a special day, and her other godmother and I were elated to share the experience!  Everything went according to plan, and we celebrated as she came into the world!  We held her, and we connected with her from the very beginning!  She went home and all was well.  Everyone was happy.  She was finally here!

Several weeks later, I went to visit Michelle, and to see Kaytee.  When I arrived, I noticed something that seemed a bit odd (though it was barely noticeable).  At first, I thought I was imagining things.  My goddaughter was very fair in appearance, and she seemed to have a slightly “blue” hue to her skin.  Michelle and I talked about it, and what happened shortly thereafter took us out of our comfort zone.

Kaytee’s Mom and Dad took her to the emergency room.  (I believe God not only has angels in place when we need them, and uses people to help us, especially during times of crisis, in unimaginable ways!) While seated in the waiting area of the emergency room, an off-duty nurse happened to see Kaytee.  Recognizing a potential problem in need of immediate attention, the nurse calmly told Michelle that she was going to alert the Emergency Room staff.  She very gently told Michelle not to be afraid—noting that in a few moments, things were going to kick into high gear in order to deal with my goddaughter’s medical needs.

That is exactly what happened.  Everything went into high gear.

Kaytee remained in Children’s Hospital for several weeks.  During her stay, and while in prayer, the Lord revealed that the doctors caring for Kaytee were going to be confounded.  They would not be able to explain what was going on with her—nor would they determine when she would leave the hospital.  Solely relying on the Voice of the Lord, Michelle underwent the process of being at Kaytee’s bedside, nurturing her (initially Kaytee remained in ICU), feeling the support of her parents, family and friends, and trusting God. 

I remember going to visit her in the hospital on one occasion.  The phlebotomist had come to draw blood.  He could not get a “good vein,” even with a butterfly needle.  The phlebotomist instructed Michelle and I to hold Kaytee still while he attempted to draw blood from her little body.  He tasked me to hold her legs still.  Just thinking about having to do this necessary task brings tears to my eyes even now.

After watching the phlebotomist make several unsuccessful attempts to draw blood, and seeing Kaytee’s little face demonstrate the pain she was experiencing, I felt my knees begin to buckle. I was at the point of passing out.  I had not realized how angry I was that it was taking too long to draw her blood.  Michelle and the phlebotomist had to take Kaytee to another room because Aunt Loyce could not handle watching what was happening!  I think I could have hit the phlebotomist at that point!  (Confession is so good for the soul, right?!)

The word of knowledge Michelle and her family received in prayer was exactly right!  The doctors never figured out what was going on with Kaytee!  In the fullness of time, Michelle understood when it was time to take Kaytee home.  This might seem odd, but God had His plans!  The doctors, with all of their wisdom and knowledge, did not know what to do!  To me, this is a prime example of the need to be in tune with what the Holy Spirit is speaking to us every day.  Some things are simply inexplicable.  We will never understand why!  But God knows!  He understands His plans for us—especially when we do not.

How often have you experienced something in your life that simply seems or feels illogical?  Why did it have to happen this way?  Why did we have to go through that battle?  Why did Christ have to die on a cross for our sins?  Why could there not have been some other way?  Why are the Ukrainian people suffering at the hands of such atrocities?  Why are people of color still oppressed in our world?  With all of the wisdom in the world, some things will simply not make sense!  But God!  Nothing catches Him by surprise!  No degree of education, life experiences, or knowledge will be able to explain the inexplicable!  All is and will be put to shame and must bow to the providential plan of God!

Regardless of what is happening within or around us, we can trust that God’s ways are so much better, His thoughts so much higher than ours!  That is cause for celebration because we do not have to try to figure out what God has already worked out!!!  A “But GOD! declaration stands contrary to our limited, finite thinking.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me!

As we go throughout our day, we know that even when things do not make sense . . . when life does not add up to what we thought it should or would be . . . we can lean into the fact that God’s plans for us, His dreams and vision for us, are far superior to what we can ever possibly think or imagine!  For this, I am eternally grateful.

In Kaytee’s situation, but God intervened!  Today, she continues to be a happy, healthy, beautiful, wise, focused, and intelligent young woman.  She graduated from college last year; and will be pursuing a master’s degree in psychology.  God is faithful!  Remember, But God in your life circumstance!

Thank you, once again, for allowing me to share with you!  May our God fill your life to the brim and allow you to see the overflow! This is my prayer for you as you remember that . . . this world is definitely a much better place because you are in it!

Until Next Time, My Dear Friends,

Selah

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