In the winter of 1996, something unusual happened every day for two weeks. I awoke at four o’clock each morning and each time, I was strongly compelled to pray. Some mornings, I was startled awake. Other mornings, I felt a hand on my shoulder, gently shaking me. It was not a human hand! Each time I scrambled out of bed and obeyed the voice that was silent to my ears yet audible to my spirit.
My family and I lived in a wonderful, rambling farmhouse surrounded by 47 acres of trees and Tennessee wildlife. My husband and I claimed the downstairs part of the house while our son David claimed half of the upstairs area. That left a large area upstairs for our daughter, her husband, and their young son. Our son-in-law was still in college, so we encouraged them to share our home. We had more than enough space. During that time, we were three generations under one roof, and I will always treasure the memories of that cherished era that has long since passed.
My pre-dawn prayer place was in the middle of the family room downstairs. When I began seeking the Lord at four o’clock each morning, I routinely lit a large candle in the center of the coffee table and knelt there. The early morning wake-up calls continued for a period of two weeks. The Lord did not tell me why I was to spend extra time with Him; He just imparted to me that I should pray, and I obeyed.
One evening, I was standing at the sink washing the dinner dishes when our son David came home from a night class at Belmont University. I looked over my shoulder at him, smiled, and said, “I’m glad you’re home!” He had a perplexed look on his face and his hand rested on his upper chest.
David said, “Something is wrong,” indicating something was wrong in his upper chest area. Because David never complained, I knew he was experiencing a real problem. The look on his face, the sound of his voice, and the way he held his chest sent chills over me. I sensed a dark presence and the hair on the back of my neck literally stood up. The Bible tells us that ‘Satan is the thief who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy’! I quieted the intruder by speaking the last part of that Scripture that says ‘Jesus came so that we might have life and have it abundantly!’ (See John 10:10.)
In my spirit, I heard the Lord saying, “This is why I wanted you to pray more than usual for the past two weeks. Your faith must be strong!” I tried not to sound alarmed as I told David I would call our doctor in the morning and ask him to do an examination.
Dr. Seeley saw David the next day and scheduled a diagnostic study at Tennessee Medical Center in Madison, Tennessee, for the following day. David went straight from Belmont to the hospital for the test shortly after lunchtime.
I remember going through my day as usual when I was filled with the feeling that I really needed to go to the hospital. I dropped everything and drove straight there. The diagnostic study took a very long time when it should have taken no more than 30 minutes. When David appeared in the waiting room, he appeared unsettled. I asked the nurse if the test showed any abnormality, and she searched for the right words. She said, “You will have to talk with your doctor on Monday.” I questioned persistently, and the radiologist agreed to speak to me. He said the test showed a very large esophageal tumor. I thanked him, and we left the hospital and headed home.
Before I reached our home, the doctor called and said he had scheduled an appointment on Monday for David to see a gastroenterologist. He expressed the seriousness and the urgency of the situation. I thanked him and attempted to gather my thoughts so I could be in a good frame of mind when I got home.
Over the weekend, my husband and I prayed without ceasing, and I read and reread the Scriptures, especially the ones that promised God would heal if we only believe! I watched from the window as David pitched a ball to Jacob, our little grandson. The football ended up on top of the roof above the patio. David attempted to retrieve the ball by climbing out a second story window. I helped him remove the screen. I touched his back as he crawled inside through the window and, somehow, I knew at that moment God had healed David! I truly believed, but I needed confirmation.
On Monday, I accompanied David to the prearranged appointment with the gastroenterologist, and we listened as the doctor gave his opinion based on the esophagram results and the radiologist report. He advised us there was a chance the tumor would be malignant. He suggested a biopsy right away and advised us to have the anticipated operation done at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville. The doctor said the surgery would alter David’s life drastically. A section of the esophagus would be removed. This would necessitate pulling the upper stomach up to close the gap. A lifetime of medication and a special diet would follow. That was the good news. If it was cancer and if it had spread, those procedures would not help at all.
My brain tried to digest what the medical professional said, but my spirit said I should have no part of what he was saying! I asked him to schedule the biopsy for Friday, knowing that would give us a week to seek the Lord and wait for His guidance. I was aware of what the Bible taught us.
“Do not fear, for I am with you” Isaiah 41:10.
David was young, and I loved him so much! I could not bear the thought of an unnecessary surgical procedure. I prayed, saying, “Lord, I asked You to heal David completely, causing the tumor to wither and cease to exist, and I believe You have healed him.” The room was still dark, but I saw the face of a man appear before my eyes. The face disappeared in a few seconds. The face was hazy but I thought, I must know him. I said, “Lord, that face looked like Dr. Fox.” I saw nothing else. I thought, “This doctor will give us confirmation that the tumor is gone.”
Dr. Fox was a physician I met on one occasion in the past. I recalled he was a medical missionary earlier in his life. I searched the phone book and located his number. I called and talked with his office manager. I briefly explained our situation and I told her, “I know my son has been healed. Please see if Dr. Fox will examine him.” Later that same day, David and I sat in Dr. Fox’s office. I briefly explained our situation and my firm belief that God had healed David on Saturday. Dr. Fox understood, and he agreed to order a CT scan, which would confirm or deny that the healing had taken place.
Dr. Fox called Thursday morning with wonderful news! He said, “The CT scan revealed there is no tumor. It showed only a calcified, withered lymph node where the tumor was shown on the previous study.” I was elated! God had healed our son! Dr. Fox even used the word “withered.” That was the same word I had used when I prayed, asking God to cause the tumor to wither and cease to exist. I knew we had confirmation from God, letting us know He had heard our prayers and He had answered our prayers!
We canceled the Friday biopsy appointment. Our family engaged in a faith walk of prayer and believing. God required us to seek His face. We had to listen with a sensitive and obedient spirit, and then follow through on what He showed us. We had to trust God and proceed a little at a time. That is how God works sometimes.
We thanked the Lord, and gave Him the glory for healing David and teaching us to trust Him no matter what. God’s divine intervention gave David the gift of life that day. May we never forget! Our Lord, once again, had shown us compassion, mercy, and love.