Friends, I’m sitting here writing this blog while eating a piece of chocolate cake. It has raspberry chocolate frosting, whipped cream on top, and chalk full of gluten. And guess what? I’ve been eating gluten for the past 3 days with no side effects… aside from pure bliss and happiness.
Let’s backtrack for a minute. I’ve been allergic to gluten and dairy for almost 5 years and have resigned myself to crumbly cakes and bland bread for the rest of my life. Last month was all squad month (all 57 of us living in one house and loving it). Our wonderful hosts prepared our meals and had a list on the fridge of the people who had allergies. At the bottom of the list was written in bold “PRAY-PRAY-PRAY-PRAY-PRAY.” During every meal Mabe and Fabian would pray those with allergies would be healed by the end of the month.
Since training camp I have had multiple squad mates speak over me that I would be healed, and this month many of them prayed over me that I would be healed soon.
As the month continued I had some conversations that led me to realize I didn’t have faith I could be healed. I have never actually seen anyone healed, and realized I’m not sure I believe it’s possible. But I have seen the Holy Spirit move this month in incredible ways and definitely wanted to believe. I started claiming in the name of Jesus that gluten would no longer effect me, hoping faith would follow words and I would actually believe I could be healed.
I still ate gluten and dairy free during each meal because I didn’t believe in my heart it was possible.
Then came travel day.
I anticipated this travel day would involve 50 hours worth of bus rides and an unknown amount of waiting at bus stops. Normally I am very prepared for travel days with plenty of snacks to last until our destination. For some reason on this travel day I ran had no extra food. Our first 12 hour bus was a night bus so I was able to sleep and wasn’t hungry. Then we hopped on a 24 hour bus and I started to get a little bit hangry.
None of our buses have ever served food before, but the Lord blessed us immensely and a beautiful stewardess dressed in orange seemingly danced down the isles delivering snacks and beverages with a smile. Not surprisingly, I discovered the first snack was a gluten filled sleeve of Ritz crackers. As my squadmates opened their crisp red packages I could smell the buttery deliciousness and could almost taste it.
I had a quick conversation with the Lord in the midst of my hanger. “Alright, God. I’m hangry. This seems like something you would orchestrate. I’ve claimed being gluten free and am going to in good faith eat these crackers. I’m not allowed to go to the bathroom on this 24 hour bus, so please help me not to die.” I asked Jordan to pray for me. Then, I opened my own red wrapper and ate a cracker, expecting fireworks or Jesus himself to appear. What happened was… nothing. Which is a glorious thing. Nothing. No pain. No normal side effects.
And that wonderful stewardess continued bringing us meals of empanadas, muffins, egg rolls, and I ate them all. At no point did I feel any pain.
Guys, I can say with actual real faith that I am healed!
I don’t know why, except I know the Lord wants good things for his children. And so many people prayed over me I think he might have said, “Alright already! I hear you all! For my sakes!”
The Holy Spirit is awesome! And cake is delicious!
I want to share a quick story about what makes me the most excited about being healed.
This month I’ve shared with a lot of squamates about when I was younger and my dad used to take me to work with him. Every day we would stop at Dunkin Donuts. He would order a large coffee and I would get a chocolate doughnut with chocolate frosting and chocolate sprinkles. Some of my favorite memories include driving to work with him while eating my doughnut with the smell of his coffee encompassing our time together. Sometimes he would even let me try his coffee and I felt like the most special girl in the world- I was just like my dad.
When I get home, I am the most excited to be able to go to Dunkin Donuts with my dad and both of us get large coffees (because I’m cool like him now) and I’ll be able to get a chocolate doughnut with chocolate frosting and chocolate sprinkles.
I’m so thankful the Lord has given me back the best daddy daughter dates in the world.
God is good.
