" JEHOVAH ROPHE-GOD OUR HEALER" (about "grand angel," Darius)

     The following account is surreal to me, because, in my mind, I still think I'm a teenage girl,  but, in reality, I am fifty four, and, have already raised my son and daughter, who are both married, with children, and through them, 'The good Lord' has, mercifully and graciously,  blessed me, with nine grandchildren, or, as I call them, "grandangels!"  One of the nine grandchildren, is a blessing, from an adoption, which fell through, but, nevertheless, I still consider him a grandchild, although I very seldom see him, being that he's in another foster home.  Then, there's a step granddaughter, whom I've never met.  She lives up north.  Hopefully, one day, we'll meet!  I am very thankful to God for my children, grandchildren, and, ALL of my family, loved ones, and friends!  I strongly believe that EVERYTHING God puts in, and/or, allows to happen, in my life, has a divine purpose, although, this often confuses me, because, I am NOT omniscient, etc., and, HE IS GOD...I am NOT!    However, this 'blog post' is specifically concerning two of my grandsons, Darius (17 years), and, Boston (12 years), both of whom have had medical doctors call them 'MIRACLES,' meaning that, they LIVED as newborns, and, through infancy, etc., despite being born with life threatening medical conditions, from which many children DO die!  I do not understand why God allowed these two PRECIOUS souls to experience these potentially fatal disorders (Deuteronomy 29:29), but, I do KNOW that HE, HIS wisdom, love, and ALL the WONDERFUL things that constitute WHO HE IS, can be trusted (Romans ch. 8)!  As their grandmother, I most certainly would NOT have chosen for either of them to deal with the trauma that both of them have endured, and, with which, at times, Boston, continues to battle.  However, overall, they both are doing very well, and ALL of the glory for this, of course, goes to God (Jehovah Rophe - God our healer)!  I also KNOW that, GOD makes NO mistakes, and, although the human race has been stung by sin and death, HE continues to be sovereign, omniscient, ETC.!  Therefore, however HE chooses to develop a baby in the womb, whether, "normally," and/or, "abnormally," HE is ultimately responsible!  With ALL of HIS glorious attributes, such as, HIS, omnipotence, Omni presence, and, MANY others, I am 100% confident that, children are formed precisely as HE intends for them to be (Jeremiah 1:5), and that, HE has purposes to use them in HIS providential plan (Romans 11:33-36)!  Seventeen years ago, my fourteen year old daughter, Camille (aka C.C.), became pregnant, and, her father, David, and I, didn't know that she had even kissed a guy, or, was dating someone, let alone, that she could be "with child!"  You talk about being "in shock,"...we were!  We gradually let 'The Lord' help us accept, and deal with the situation, positively!  Then, on August 3, 2000, adorable,  Darius Malachi, with whom, ALL of us (C.C.'s family), had already "fallen in-love," was born!  Some of us who witnessed his birth, noticed that his skin coloring was different from what we thought it should be, but, having never observed the birth of a biracial baby, we hoped and prayed (within ourselves - we learned later), that, all was well with him.  However, our observations were right!  His coloring was "off!"  He did have an inappropriate, grayish skin tone, because his oxygen level was low!  Thankfully, a "top notch" doctor (saved his life - we realized later), assessed, upon examining him, that, something was wrong with his heart!  A 'life flight helicopter' being unavailable to transport him to "Children's Hospital" in Columbus, around 11/2 hours away, so, 'C. Hospital' sent a special ambulance (with a team of medical workers) down, which, transported him back there, while, treating, monitoring, etc. him, the entire trip.  Needless to say, we were all devastated, because, just as most people do, we had taken for granted that, all would go well with the pregnancy, and birth, and, had also assumed that, we'd have another healthy baby to enjoy, and, spoil!  Of course, as 'Christians,' we were praying for God to touch, and, heal him, and, there were prayer chains activated, we later learned, around the world!  That night a "heart cath" was performed on him, and, the cardiologist informed us that Darius had 'Transposition of the Great Vessels/Arteries,' and, without an 'Open Heart/Atrial Switch Surgery,' he would die!  So, when he was one week old, a very capable heart surgeon, successfully performed the surgery!  Praise 'The Lord,'...ALL went well!  I am simplifying this entire episode for the sake of space with this 'post,' but, it was MUCH more intense, emotional, upsetting, "FAITH TESTING," etc., at the time, than what I am writing here!  Darius' healing process went extraordinarily well!  I have been privileged, as have other family members, to babysit him a lot, while C.C. finished high school, and worked, etc., throughout the years.  Darius (aka:  Dari Bari, Malachi, Mali, Mal Mal) has had an annual checkup/examination, etc., with his cardiologist, for seventeen years now, since his surgery, and, always with excellent reports!  We never fail to thank God, and, give HIM ALL the honor, and, ALL the glory (2 Corinthians 1:4), and, use what we've been through to compassionately minister to others!  We are also thankful that Malachi is a "gentle soul," who loves Jesus, has done well in, school, sports, respecting other people, and, in other ways!  God has used him to bless us, his family, oftentimes on our journey together, because, he is such a "blessing/gift/miracle!"  Sometimes, when I look at him, 'The Holy Spirit' reminds me of HIS goodness, mercy, and grace, concerning Darius, and of  HIS presence in this world, in that, HE IS 'The God' of the MIRACULOUS!  Every now and then, I recall being in my bathroom, 17 years ago, before heading up to 'Children's Hospital,' praying, pleading 'The Blood of Jesus,' crying, and, loudly begging God, in Jesus' name, to touch him, heal him, and, leave him here with us, etc.!  God answered my prayers, and, I cannot ever thank HIM enough!  Darius has brought so much love, joy, and, enjoyment, etc. to so many people!  I really believe that God has important plans for the rest of his life (Jeremiah 29:11)!  Well, I had planned on sharing Boston's story too, but, I'm running out of space, so, I'll do so on my next 'blog post,' 'The Good Lord' will'n, and, the "CRICK" (creek) don't rise!  I, for one, believe, that, God answers prayers, and, performs 'MIRACLES,' and, I pray that you do, also, dear reader!  Until next time...