OUR MIRACLE
When our third child was born, I had a tubal ligation We were not Christians at the time and felt we could not afford any more children. I had always dreamed of having a large family and staying home as a homemaker but we bought into society’s propaganda that says, “How will you ever do it?” or “You’ll never be able to afford a college education,” etc.
I immediately regretted my decision, I always said that I came home from the hospital full of joy for the child we had but also in mourning for the children we would not have. After the surgery, I felt empty and lonely inside. I felt such loss.
In the next several years, Lord did an amazing work. First of all, we got saved and started going to church. In 1996, a friend gave me a copy of an Above Rubies, # 42 which had reversal stories in it. The Lord used that magazine to stir my heart at the thought of having a reversal.
I began to pray. I asked my husband if we could have a reversal surgery, and he said No. We did not have that kind of money. The average cost for the surgery was $15,000.00. I began to pray, “Lord, if it is your will, please change my husband’s heart.” God is faithful. And change my husband’s heart he did. Over the next couple of years we had the finances to cover the cost of the surgery. It was only a little over $3,000 because God, in His faithfulness, provided a Christian doctor in Jackson, Tennessee by the name of Dr. John Curlin who performs reversal surgeries as a ministry! Isn’t that awesome!
On January 28, 1998 Dr. Curlin performed the reversal, seven years after the initial surgery. Several months later, at the suggestion of the doctor I had a dye run through to see if my tube was open as he could only repair one tube-- the other was destroyed during the initial surgery.
I received the devastating news that my tube was blocked, possibly by scar tissue. I was absolutely devastated. I took all my doubts, fears, disappointments, and pain to the Lord. He is the only one with the power to heal broken bodies and broken hearts. I kept on praying for six more years for a miracle to happen.
The Lord says in Jeremiah 29:11-12, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil to give you an expected end. Then shall you call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me and I will hearken unto you.”
In the spring of 2003, the Lord brought a little angel into our lives named Josie whose name means God will Increase. We had hoped that we would be able to adopt this little girl but it was not to be. After being in our lives for a year, she was placed back into her mother’s custody. It left a huge void in our lives, but it was truly amazing to feel the strength of God all around us. I knew God had a good plan. Even through the pain we can and must trust God.
Our lives went on. We were busy with gardens, canning, traveling and all the things that make summer an enjoyable and busy time. I had not been feeling well and was very tired. I was beginning to think that something was seriously wrong with me; I even had the church anoint and pray over me.
Sometime during the last two weeks of October something amazing happened. I began to feel movement in my abdomen. Afraid to get my hopes up, tried to explain it away. I can’t begin to explain the feeling that came over me the day I realized that it was a very good possibility that this was a baby moving on the inside.
In November I went to the doctor, explained why I was there and asked to be given a pregnancy test. A few minutes later the doctor called me into her office to talk further. I had had problems before concerning my female health; not only were my tubes blocked but I’ve also had problems with my monthly cycles. I can go several months at a time and not have a cycle.
Finally she said, “Well, the pregnancy test came back positive; you are pregnant.” I nearly jumped out of my seat and shouted, “PRAISE THE LORD!” I know the people in the waiting room had to hear me. I was so excited I could have run around the room. We had an ultrasound a week later to find out that I was 26 weeks and 6 days or right around 6 months pregnant! Wow!
My due date was February 12, 2005. Around 11:00 pm on the 12th, my water broke. I had absolutely no pain but we decided to go to the hospital. We arrived at the hospital around 12:45 am. The contractions began around 1:30 am and progressed very quickly. At 3:01 on the Lord’s Day, Rebecca Grace was born! What joy flooded over my whole being! She was beautiful and truly God’s gift to this world
I am standing in faith and believing God will send us more children as we delight in Him. I would also like to add that was seven years between the tubal ligation and the reversal and seven years until the Lord blessed us with Gracie!
TONYA THROCKMORTON
Greenfield, Ohio, USA