As Mike and I stood in line waiting for prayer my thoughts turned to surrender again. Lord Jesus I surrender to you. I surrender to the outcome knowing that just a few months ago Mike’s sister had died from a blood clot following back surgery. I surrender knowing my mother-in-law’s knee surgery led to a pace maker. Lord being in the center of Your will is all I long for filled my heart. And then it was our turn.

Pastor Larry made a joke about everyone wanting Pastor Bob to pray for them. Pastor Bob holds such a special place in my heart. He is the one I went to when our marriage was falling apart. I knew what Pastor Larry meant for we had been blessed by Pastor Bob’s prayers. How blessed I felt to be standing before his Beloved Barbara for prayer. We all know it is the prayers of the wife that uphold the husband. For him or any pastor to be the minister they are called to be, their wives must be praying for them. Now she would be praying for me.

What happened next surprised me. When Barbara asked how she could pray for me, I was speechless. I turned to Mike and said “what do I want prayer for?” Really I did!  Finally, I said,” Peace.” I explained I was about to have surgery and just wanted peace about it all and Prayer for my surgeon and my caregivers. And she did!

Barbara told me a story about a woman that had also asked for peace prior to surgery. She kept saying I don’t feel it yet and when she hit the surgery room doors, it hit her full force. I did not have to wait that long, peace flooded my soul at that moment and I would not have been surprised if Dr. Ching opened me up and said everything was healed. I even joked that he would open me up and say “wow you have the knee of a six year old!” And I would quip back, “well that’s the trouble I am only 5.2!” No matter, I had perfect peace knowing now was the time, he was the instrument God choose to use and I was as ready as could be expected. I had not asked for prayer to be surrendered, I had arrived there as I walked forward for prayer.

Never in my wildest dreams did I expect what followed….

My surgery was an adventure. I had an epidural and was awake through most of the surgery, telling stories and asking questions. Afterwards, I had a few frightening hours when an allergic reaction to anti-nausea medication caused hives, vomiting and a dangerously low temperature. I slept through the night and awoke to some of the finest caregivers I have ever met. As they checked on me they would remind me that I had a morphine pump waiting for me as soon as I felt any pain. All day they waited for me to call them, some thinking perhaps the epidural was still working; others certain that after my walk to the hallway and back, I would need something. All day I said, no thank you, I have no pain!

The second day, I walked around the floor by the nurses station and heard them whispering, “that’s the miracle lady everyone is talking about it!” I told everyone that I had so many people praying for me and this could be the only reason I know why I have no pain. I prayed for my roommate a few times and even got to pray with my student nurse. She is just starting out and being from India showing her what Jesus is like was my favorite reason for having this surgery. They continued to ask me, “On a scale of 1-10 where is your pain level? And I would continue to reply, “zero!”

Eventually they sent a nurse into talk with me. I think she was the floor psychiatrist. She asked me what church I attended and other probing questions. Once I assured her that I had no problem taking pain medication should I need it and that I was not a “tough it out through the pain kind of girl” she was satisfied. Later that night I asked for a couple of Tylenol because my arms and shoulders were achy from using my walker. I was told they hadn’t been prescribed for me, but I could have darvocet…heehee!

All total from Wednesday to Saturday, I had 4-5 darvocet, mostly at night time so I could fall asleep while my roommate stayed up all night. Depending on how much Physical therapy I have, I am still just taking a couple tylenol or a darvocet. I had asked for peace, I need not expect pain free. I had surrendered to God’s plan and like most had let my mind travel to the most negative of responses the Lord could send, just like Job’s companions. Jesus, true to himself poured out a blessing I did not expect or imagine.

Peace flows over me and the river that carries it is your prayers. I am still on this journey of surrender. I know this is true for when my sister came to be with me, this week, she brought me a new book written by her pastor’s wife, Dangerous Surrender by Kay Warren. God isn’t finished with me yet, and I have a race to run. You know, in a year I may be doing just that very thing, running a race!

Because of Jesus, Bobbie

Hebrews 12 : 11-14  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.