Teddy

Today we have seen a miracle.  As background, for weeks feeding Teddy has been the same.  Feed two ounces, he burps and about a second later spits up approximately the same amount he ate. Repeat two more times 2 ounces each with the same results, including 4-6 burp cloths and a change of clothes for Teddy and the feeder.  Then for the next 2.5 hours or so until the next feeding, he would retch off and on, sometimes spitting up and sometimes getting it back down.

At his last Drs. appt, the pediatrician said, “I’m jeopardizing my career by not having him in the hospital already.”  Because we had found a new source of goat’s milk (the only thing he seems to tolerate…we are borrowing and milking a goat) and his intake was increasing, we talked him into giving us one more week to see if he would gain weight.  Last night we weighed him and he was down again after taking in a record 40 ounces for the day.  We were discouraged and afraid.  We had dedicated him to God, so my prayer was, “God, you know his future.  Perhaps you intend to spare him from something awful here on earth.  But if there’s any way possible that we can keep him, please heal him!  Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.”  Sheryll’s was pretty much the same.  The thought of Teddy dying was very real.  We were at the point of desperation.

This morning Sheryll called the Dr’s office and told them (with many tears) that we’re ready to head towards the specialists in Denver and admit him to the hospital here in the mean-time if that was what the Dr. recommended.

During chores this morning it occurred to me that we should anoint Teddy with oil and pray for him. (James 5:14-15)  He had been anointed and prayed for before but I felt we should do it again before he went to the hospital.  Last week a friend had called and asked me to share my testimony at a Christian business men’s lunch this week.  After chores this morning I called him to tell him I would not be able to do that, and told him about Teddy.  He shared a similar story of his daughter and said that they got to a similar point and out of desperation anointed her with oil and prayed and God healed her.  I took this as confirmation and called everyone into the living room and we anointed Teddy and prayed a tearful, fervent prayer for him.  He had already had his first feeding and it was typical.

During his next feeding, though, his spitting up was noticeably less.  The one following that there was no spitting up.  (Lord I believe, help my unbelief!  Mark 29:4) Sometime after when Sheryll picked him up from lying down he did spit up, but not a lot.  (Lord, increase my faith!  Luke 17:5)  I took the next feeding because I wanted to see the difference for myself.  He did not spit up AT ALL, and has not spat up since!  No retching between feedings, either.

There were many people praying for Teddy today.  I’m not sure which prayer the Lord heard, and it doesn’t matter.  This one thing I know…my son who was a puker pukes no more, and I will proclaim God’s goodness and healing power to anyone who will listen.  Thank you Lord for sparing my son!  And thank you for building the faith of my family, who have now all seen first-hand the healing hand of God.