The surgeon was mystified.  She had anticipated a 1.5 to 2 hour surgery to blast apart the large kidney stone and remove the bits.  But at the beginning of the surgery when she inspected my ureter to locate the stone, she got quite a surprise.  The stone wasn’t there.  Gone.
During the post-op consultation with Husband after only a half hour procedure she asked incredulously, “How could such a little lady pass such a big stone?!  I don’t understand.”

What she didn’t know was that a dear friend and her husband had called us two days prior and had prayed out loud for us on the phone.  The husband had asked the Lord to remove the stone.  I have to be honest, I thought it was presumptuous to ask for such a miracle.  But pray for a miracle, he did.  In my own heart later, the most I could muster was, “Please show me favor, Lord.  If I can serve you better healthy, I’ll gladly take it.  But if I can serve you better in ill health, I’m willing.”  (I had conjured up all sorts of worst-case post-surgery complications.)

So, did God answer his prayer?  Yes!  When and how God answered it, I can’t tell.  Perhaps I passed the stone unaware or perhaps the Lord dissolved it.  It doesn’t matter.  God gets glory from it.  No one, not me, the ER doctor, the consulting urologist, or the two urology surgeons, did anything to make it go away.  God took care of it without our help.  And he gets all the praise and glory.  Amen!

“You are the God who performs miracles.”  Psalm 77:14

I’ll be uncomfortable for a few more days due to the stent, but once it’s removed, I should be 100% again.  There have been so many perks to this month-long journey.  I’ve learned to engage others even when I don’t feel good.  I’ve learned to deliberately look for blessings and talk about them and praise God for them.  I’ve learned that thinking about who God is brings comfort.  I’ve learned that we can choose our attitude.  I can choose obedience in how I think which helps how I feel.  I’ve learned to give myself and others grace to under-perform.  I’ve been reminded that two are better than one.  When one falls down, the other can lift her up.  I have a husband who loves me no matter what.  I’ve learned to slow down.  I’ve learned that God stoops down to help those who are low.  I’ve learned to hang on to God’s promises in the Bible.  He is for us and with us.  He is strong and he is loving.  He is my Shield.

I was reading a little notebook from years ago in which I had copied some favorite verses of Scripture.  I was feeling the need for encouragement before the second minor surgery in less than three weeks.  I realize many of my readers are rolling their eyes because they have survived many serious surgeries.  Try to bear with me.  What struck me as I read these favorite verses was how they described God.  The kind of God he is reassured me anew.  And all of his glorious attributes benefit us!  Here are some of my thoughts on how God helps us based on the verses noted.  (The ‘when’ parts are my words, the words that describe God are from Scripture.)

When we need somewhere to run, he is our Refuge.
When we’re weak, he is our Strength.
When others can’t, he is our Help.  Psalm 46  

When we’re awash in uncertainty, he is our Rock
When we feel outgunned, He is our Fortress.  Psalm 65

When darkness surrounds us, he is our Lamp.  2 Samuel 22

When we feel vulnerable, he is our Shield.  Proverbs 30:5.  (This one really stuck with me.  I repeated to myself often that my trust is in the God who shields me.)

When we’re all caught up in Now, he reminds us he is Everlasting.
When we feel insignificant, he reminds us that he Created us.     Isaiah 40

When we’re alone, he is with us.   Numbers 14

When we can do nothing, he is Gracious.
When we fall short, he is Righteous and covers us with his righteousness.
When we’re hurting, he is full of Compassion.
When we are under attack, he is our Protector.   Psalm 116

When we’re needy, he meets our needs.  Philippians 4:19

When we cry out, he Answers us.
When we’re scared, he makes us bold and stouthearted.
When we feel undeserving, he Looks on the lowly.
When we’re in danger, he Preserves our lives.
When we feel useless, he Fulfills his purpose for us. 
When we ache, he Loves us.   Psalm 138

When we feel unheard, he Hears us.
When the enemy wants to take us down, he Ransoms us.
When we are done in, he Sustains us.  Psalm 55

When our strength isn’t enough, he Helps us.
When we aren’t big enough for the job, he Fights our battles.  2 Chronicles 32

When we feel dried up, he Restores us.
When our limitations hinder us, he makes us Strong.
When we waver, he makes us Firm.
When we stumble, he makes us Steadfast.  I Peter 5:10-11

When we falter, he arms us with Strength.  2 Samuel 22:33

When we are done in, he gives Strength and increases our Power.  Isaiah 40

When we’re sad, he is our Song.
When we’re guilty, he is our Salvation.
When we’re discouraged, he gives us Joy and Victory.  Psalm 118

When our old bodies don’t cooperate, he makes us flourish, grow, and be fruitful even in old age. Psalm 92

When our circumstances are gloomy, he Redeems them.
When we wonder where the good is, he Teaches us what is best for us.
When we don’t know which way, he Directs us.
When we’re good at worst-case imaginings, he gives us Peace.  Isaiah 48