Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Trust and Obey (don't write about the song) (05/21/15)
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TITLE: Marcy's Story | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gary Ritter
05/25/15 -
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Once my children had grown I felt such a void that I experienced mild depression. An empty nest is a lonely one, especially if you’re used to the joyful sound of children for many years. Upon hearing of my woe, a good friend from church suggested I consider working with our young people in the age range I loved best. In prayer the Lord gave me clear direction to spend my energies with these precious children. Pastor was thrilled to let me take on Kids’ Church and I was back in my element.
For many years I shepherded these little ones. Success to me was seeing them grow in the Lord and serve Him. Nothing gave me more pleasure. To speak life into these kids and to hear their response, their hopes and fears; oh, I couldn’t imagine anything better.
The day it all came crashing down took me to a despair I’d never known. I’d always heard perfectly when a child spoke, whether the loudest voice or the softest plea. I heard.
It came upon me so suddenly, I became disoriented. I think that only if you’ve experienced such a thing can you fully comprehend it. One moment my hearing was clear and uncompromised, the next I experienced complete deafness in one ear.
The impact in my life was immediate. I was shocked how much hearing with both ears made listening possible. My hearing loss almost completely inhibited my ability to hear my children when I gathered them in class. They’d speak. I couldn’t understand. They’d look at me expectantly, and I could only gaze back in bewilderment. It confused them and me. This continued for months to the frustration of us all.
The doctors said the loss was permanent, that I’d have to learn to live with it. There was no cure, no means of restoring what I’d lost. I grew angry, yet not at God. I knew His faithfulness and trusted in His goodness. How could I not love Him regardless of my troubles? After all, He suffered and died for me. Despite how hard it was I relied on His Word that this was a momentary and light affliction. I prayed, and many others prayed for my healing. My anger dissipated; I lived in hope. I didn’t doubt that God could heal me, but would He?
On Sunday mornings prior to Kids’ Church the entire congregation worshipped together. On a beautiful spring day I felt an urging from the Lord to praise Him at the altar. That wasn’t normally something I did, but in obedience to that prompting I approached Him up close. His presence enveloped me. I closed my eyes as we sang, “He is worthy of it all,” and I believed it.
Pastor dismissed the children and I led them to our classroom. As they found their seats and I took out my lesson for the day, seven-year-old Luanne came up and asked if she could pray for me. This child had always been remarkable. Her parents had taught her to love God, and she had a wonderful grasp of the Word, even at that tender age. When she prayed in our corporate prayer gathering on Sunday evenings, she boldly spoke in supplication, intercession, and thanksgiving. I stooped down to let her put her hand on my head and she began to pray. A burning sensation enveloped my head. From nowhere tears began to flow down my cheeks.
In that moment my hearing returned. Just like that, I heard again. I heard! Through the faith of a child and God’s goodness, once again I was whole.
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The general circumstances in this story are true. Marcy (not real name) was healed of this hearing loss despite the doctors declaring it was permanent. We serve a great and mighty God, a healing God.
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