While visiting the “Big House” today (Akron Children’s Hospital IN Akron), I was reminded of how special my son Henry is. Henry was there for a Myelo Clinic....it’s a clinic that other children with Henry’s same medical conditions attend. They are able to see several specialist in one day and get the medical attention needed.

While other children were rolled into the clinic in their wheelchairs....Henry walked in. As other children struggled to communicate what pain they were experiencing, Henry told colorful stories of his daily experiences.  While other patients wore diapers or had catheters, Henry was able to run to the restroom and stress his concern that the door didn’t lock. As other mothers barely had the energy to hold their head up from the exhaustion of caring for their kids, I had the strength to stand alert and joke with the doctors. So, I want to thank God for all of these blessings and the favor He has on Henry.

Henry was born with  Myelomeningocele Spina Bifida, a Tethered spinal cord, Hydrocephalus, Arteriovenous Malformation (brain), Cerebral Ventriculomegaly, and Collapsed feet.  He since has been diagnosed with Asthma, progressing Scoliosis, Lumbar Spondylolysis, 2 growing Spinal dermoid cysts, a collapsing spine and a crushed vertebrae.  These are pretty fancy words that basically on paper mean: Henry should not be able to walk, and he should not have bowel control (among other things).

So as we received the new diagnosis’s today, it was easy to feel stress and sadness for Henry.  The vision of him possibly becoming paralyzed and stuck in a wheelchair in the future broke my heart.  I couldn’t imagine what he was feeling as the doctors explained it all to him. But as we “walked” out of the hospital, I remembered the first time I saw a photo of Henry (before I ever met him)....God told me He has plans for this child. This child, who was born on the total opposite side of the world and “disposed of”,  found his way home...here...with us. That in itself is a total miracle. 

The moment I saw his photo I began to pray for him and have not stopped since then. There have been family and friends who have continued to pray for him as well, and we have claimed healing for him. I am telling you, it was prayer that brought him this far, and it is faith and prayer that will keep him whole. God brought him this far and I have total faith that this boy will be just fine.

I don’t know who needed to hear this story today, but I want to encourage you... Our God IS a healing God. You have to talk to Him. You have to have faith.  He WILL make you whole.

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matthew 21:22

I promise you, He wants to show favor on YOUR life, just as He has shown Henry.

Praise. Ask. Believe. 

Henry ChengJie in China....before we met. 

Spina Bifida....take a hike!