Living Faith

It was December and Christmas was right around the corner. My wife was nine months pregnant and she was having medical issues. She had already carried this baby 42 weeks instead of the normal 38 weeks like she had carried the other children. She also had high blood pressure. The doctor decided to induce the labor because my wife’s medical condition was not getting any better. The doctor wanted to deliver the baby as soon as possible before the pregnancy started to threaten my wife’s life. We got her admitted to the hospital and the doctor started the process of inducing the labor. They kept close watch on my wife, monitoring her and the baby. As time elapsed her blood pressure got out of control. Having watched her deliver my other children I knew her blood pressure was at stroke level. My pastor came immediately to the hospital and we prayed over my wife. Something still didn’t seem right. I guess you can say I felt the proverbial “tremble in the force.” The Holy Spirit was telling me that something wasn’t right. After praying with my pastor, however, I thought things were going to be all right. After all, I knew that he knew how to pray, he knew how to get a prayer through, and most of all he was a man of God. Little did I know it was not him his faith that was about to be tested, it was mine. My pastor had a previous engagement that he had to attend but before he left my wife and me he said these words, “Trust the Lord with all thine heart, lean not unto thine own understanding, and he shall direct your path.” He also said all things works out for the good of the Lord.
My wife took a nap. After an hour or so the labor pains got worst and my wife asked for the anesthesiologist. By the time they got her epidural administered the baby was ready to come out and her blood pressure started to drop. The nurse alerted the doctor that my wife’s blood pressure was dropping rapidly. The nurse got the crash cart ready because things were not looking good. My wife kept telling me that she was feeling funny and something was wrong. Her body began to shut down. She looked in my eyes and said three times, and I quote, “Terrance, don’t let me die.” I grabbed her hand and I told her that I was there and that God had her and I wouldn’t let anything happen to her but the situation got worst. The baby was almost out and her pressure dropped even lower. The doctors put some kind of medicine in her IV but it was not working. They delivered the baby boy (Malachi) and my wife flat-lined. Well, the only thing I knew to do was call on the name of Jesus. The doctors hit her with the fibulator and nothing happened. At that moment I saw a black shadow move in the room closer to where I was. I called out to the Lord and pled the blood of Jesus over my wife. I rebuked death in the Name of Jesus. I cried and told the Lord that he promised that if I asked anything in his name he would do it! Well over two minutes had passed and the doctors couldn’t bring her back. As the tears rolled down my face and I continued to whisper prayers slowly out of my mouth the Lord showed up! A doctor came in the room with a long needle about 6 – 12 inches long and gave her a shot in her heart and she finally responded. I began praising God for saving her! My wife woke up and told me that she saw the dark shadow in the room but wasn’t sure what she was seeing. She asked to see her baby and was he all right. We cried together and thanked God for saving her and blessing us once again with another healthy child.

Malachi was 8 pounds 15 ounces and we were so happy. I realized after this ordeal that I had to exercise my faith even more and get even closer to God. I was in ministerial training during this time and boy was my faith being tested. If I had lost my wife at that time I don’t know what I would have done. The thought, even today, makes me shutter. But as we all know, like the story of Job, trials can come one right behind the other and that’s what happened to me. After my wife was safe and in stable condition I got my other three children and brought them back to see their mother and their new little brother. That night I took them home so my wife could get some much needed rest. Two days passed and the doctors said that my wife and our baby were able to go home. I just knew that everything was going to be fine and continued to thank God for our new addition to the family. We were now ready for Christmas as it was only seven days away. The second day home Malachi was sleep and wouldn’t wake up. We tried everything to wake him up but he wouldn’t respond. He was still breathing but he was lethargic. We called 9-1-1. They came and said that he was in and out of a coma and they rushed him to the Children’s Hospital in Atlanta. All I kept thinking was “Why Lord, why now? You saved my wife and now the devil is trying to take my son.” I wasn’t going to give up without a fight! Now remind you, I’m still in ministerial training. All I could think about is that I gave my life to Christ and accepted the calling to the ministry and now this. The devil was busy. Well, I called my pastor and he did what he always did, he rushed to our side and prayed with us. The doctor did every test available and they couldn’t find out what was causing little Malachi to have seizures and go in and out of these comatose states.

We stayed at the hospital for three days and they couldn’t tell us anything. Little Malachi laid in a glass bassinet with a multitude of wires connected to his little head. He was being monitored 24-7 on camera. I have no doubt in my mind that the Children’s Hospital in Atlanta is one of the best pediatric hospitals in the world, but it was clear this case was beyond their purview. I got fed up with the doctors telling me the same old story so I went home, got my Bible and my oil. I told the devil that he was a liar and that he couldn’t have my son! I went to my son’s room and put everyone out, including my wife and other children and I prayed, and I prayed, and I called out the name of the Lord. I told the Lord that he gave me his promise and that under the power and the authority of Jesus Christ I took my son back. I commanded Malachi to wake up IN THE NAME OF JESUS. I cried out that no weapon formed against him shall prosper. Malachi woke up, we pulled those wires off his head, and Malachi has been fine ever since. In seven days Malachi will turn five and he is in perfect health. The doctors were never able to figure out a medical cause for Malachi’s ordeal. I know it was by God’s grace that Malachi is healed. God is good but had I waived in my faith I could have lost both my wife, and my son.

You see, we all get tested from time to time. And sometimes it seems the closer you get to God, the more the adversary attacks you. If you are like me you may have found yourself asking, “God why are your soldiers constantly persecuted and attacked by Satan”? The truth is God knows how much we all can handle. Sometimes we do not know how strong we are until being strong is the only option we have. God may watch Satan attack you but if you keep the faith he will NEVER LET HIM HAVE YOU! Continue to confess with your mouth, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, acknowledge that he died for your sins, and you will end up the WINNER every time!

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Terrance Paulin, Always a Ready Writer