Friends of mine have been going through traumatic times lately. He is my former employer, which was many years ago; but over the years, he and his wife and I have remained good friends.

A couple months ago he had a stroke. . .

With the Lord and the hospital watching over him, he has come out of it in amazingly great shape. Thank you, Jesus, and many thanks to the wonderful team of doctors and nurses who took care of him. His wife, however, did not fare so well. Struggling while he was in the hospital, faced with the reality of what life might be without him, she developed a fear for her future and began shutting down. I was working heavily at the time and was unaware of the storm that was brewing until I heard from her husband one day that they were taking her to the hospital. “I’ve never seen anyone so thin.” he stated. I asked him to get back to me, but he didn’t and when my texts went unanswered, I was reluctant to intrude.  Still busy with work and life, it was 2 weeks before I realized how much time had lapsed and I still didn’t know how she was. Just as I was wondering this, he texted. She is still recovering, has lost a lot of muscle and is in Hospice care in Chicago. He had sent a wrapped heart emoji with the recovering part which made me think she had suffered a heart attack, but my texts for more clarification again went unanswered.

Sunday, Mother’s Day. . .

I was going to have my church pray for her. We are a fervent-praying, God-seeking church–but during worship I began to pray. The Holy Spirit anointing dropped and enveloped me with such a Presence that I knew God was on it and no longer felt the need for more prayer. It seemed so settled, that afterward I even forgot to ask.

That afternoon her son called me. He filled in all the missing details. She didn’t have a heart attack, but they determined failure to thrive. Her oxygen level was so low she was near death. She was dehydrated, not eating and the doctors said she would likely die within 24-48 hours. I told him about the anointing and prayer, declaring that I don’t believe it’s her time to go. He was quiet. Realizing that this too could be an intrusion, to someone that had likely prepared in the midst of this whirlwind for her death, I softened my exuberance; explaining that I’m probably just not wanting to let her go. He encouraged me to call his dad, stating that he knew his dad would welcome my call, but later it received no answer.

The next morning I called again. . .

This time he answered, and when I asked how she was, he said, “Oh, Would you like to talk to her?”

Within 24 hours, the time she was supposed to die–God moved!

Not only did she not die–she is staying in a hospital bed at her daughter’s and at the time of my call she was out of bed and sitting in a wheelchair. She had eaten breakfast and the oxygen was off. Her voice was strong, cheerful and one would never know she had just hovered at the brink of death.

She said, “I had a cup of tea this morning with honey!”

WOW!

At the end of our conversation, I instructed her, “Tie your shoes, I believe you’re coming home soon.”

Her reply?

“I want to come home.”

Someday she will go to her forever home, but this isn’t the time. . .

Praise Jesus, He is causing her to THRIVE!

“And his name, by faith in his name, has made this man strong whom you see and know; and the faith which is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.” Acts 3:16

Though the world can be a scary place, we must not yield to fear. Fear is a spirit that will begin to take your life from you if you yield to it.

This is the time to anchor to the Rock!

He will keep you safe–Yield to Jesus!

♥ UPDATE:  My friends are making preparations to come home! She is walking with a walker and has gained a little weight. This is essential, as her husband told me she had weighed in at 65 pounds when they made the decision to transfer to Chicago and Hospice. I can’t even imagine a 65# adult. It is an incredible miracle that she not only lived, but is in the process of complete restoration. Please keep them in your prayers. You may just say Lori’s friends and the Lord will know. He knows without you even saying that–He knows! –Thank you!

♥ Her husband also mentioned that he will be driving soon. Another miracle, as it was just 2 months ago when he had the stroke.

Praise God for His unwavering faithfulness! He honors our prayers–He honors His Word!

Hallelujah!

♥ALL GLORY BELONGS TO GOD!

Thank you, Jesus!

Later, this same day, I was walking my dog on the public paved trail. We were almost back to the car when a shadow spanned over me blocking the sun. I saw the huge black wings imprinted on the cement and knew that bird was after my dog. He was very close. I looked up at him and pointed my finger and said, “You will not take my dog.” The eagle raised up, circled and came in closer, very close! Looking up, I pointed again and said, “I have authority over you and you will not touch my dog! His shadow covered over me. I pulled my dog in close and said, “I don’t abide under your shadow. I abide under the shadow of my Father’s wings–be gone in Jesus Name!” He immediately flew off and when I reached the car, just moments later, looking up at the sky he was nowhere to be seen.

Praise God for the authority He has given us, in His Name!

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust'” 91:1-2

“Protect me from harm; keep an eye on me like you would a child reflected in the twinkling of your eye. Yes, hide me within the shelter of your embrace, under your outstretched wings.” Psalm 17:8 TPT

“Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you.” Luke 10:19

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.'” Genesis 1:26