God's Timing

I mentioned yesterday that I have learned alot about God's timing. I've learned to never give up on something that you really want. If God wants you to have it, He will give it to you. But it's going to be at His timing.

You see, about 5 years ago, I tried to have this surgery. I did a lot of research and thought it would be exactly what I needed to finally get my weight under control. I told friends, who also researched it, and just knew I was going to be a new woman in a matter of months. I contacted the doctor, saw a psychologist, and tried to schedule the surgery but was told my insurance wouldn't cover it. It was considered experimental. And the cost at that time was over $20,000. So I gave up!

Right after this, my mom got sick. She had brain surgery for tremors and did well for about 6 weeks. Then infections set in and complications developed. She passed away after about 6 months. I have always been an emotional eater, and going through this with mom and her passing, I just continued to gain weight. Of course, I dieted from time to time and even lost 70 pounds at one time. But when you have soooo much to lose, you kind of give up hope.

I continued gaining weight until I couldn't do things for myself. I can't go to the grocery store because I can't do the walking. Everyone on my Christmas lists get gift cards, because I can't do the shopping. I quit going out with friends because my size limited us on what we could do. I even quit going to church because of the walking. I just gave up. I didn't take care of my diabetes. I went to work, came home, and ate. What a sad life!!!

But then, I found out people had been praying for me to find an answer to my weight that would get me back into life. My friends and family were praying. My Monday Night Ladies Bible Study group bombarded God with prayers on my behalf. A couple of the ladies contacted Jim because they were hesitant to approach me. They didn't want to offend me, but they knew if something didn't change, I wasn't long for this world.

They formed a prayer and support group for me. Jim and I would talk and dispell all my fears. (Which I don't call fears anymore because God did not give me a spirit of timidity!) One friend took my insurance policy and read through it to see it there was any exception that I might fall into. The word "exclusion" kept getting in our way. Another friend contacted one of the local hospitals that has several programs where insurance falls short. Naturally, I make too much money for those. I couldn't find any funding that would allow me to have this surgery. So we just continued to pray. Pray, pray, pray!

I was sitting at my desk and got an email from someone who said he didn't want to but it, but he had heard what I was trying to do. I told him to but in all he wanted!!!! He went on to say that he had heard through the grapevine that there were people who were willing to help me with the funding! Just out of the blue! There was nothing I did, or my prayer group, or anyone else did to make this happen. It was God giving me what I truly wanted! God answering prayers. God loving me!

So, I am having my life-changing, "life-saving" surgery in 2 days. Prayers are still being said and God is still blessing me in so many ways with this gift. I just had to wait on His timing. And I'm sure, He has some wonderful things planned for me!