And These Signs Will Follow

Donna, our youngest, screamed out in pain. The significance here is I was reading from the book of Acts at that very moment; the Exciting Place where Peter says, “‘In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene--walk!’” I had been a Christian about four months and as usual was reclining in an easy chair reading before dinner. Sue was planning to barbecue steaks and hot dogs. Deana and Donna were still little kids who preferred hotdogs. Even though I reacted instantly to Donna’s scream, before I could get out of the chair, the Lord informed me her foot was injured. As I ran to the back door, I figured she had cut her foot and was terrified more than injured. In seconds I was looking out the door, trying to ascertain what was happening. A little neighbor boy caught my attention as he ran away. A quick glance around showed the three legged barbecue was tipped over scattering the red hot charcoals around the concrete patio. Donna was standing there screaming and crying. Initially I was puzzled because there was no blood. Within a second I picked her up and looked at her feet. My heart sank. It didn’t take a close examination of her foot to determine one of the charcoals was literally burned into the bottom of her right foot; like a piece of wood marked with a wood burning stylist. Instantly in desperation I began to dig at the charcoal with my finger. A charred, deep burn was revealed! Extreme concern flooded me. Donna was a juvenile diabetic; she could loose her foot to amputation over this less than critical injury. Almost in tears, myself, I desperately cried out, "O God, in the Name of Jesus of Nazareth do something!" More seconds elapsed and Sue came running out of the house. "Look at this wound!" I frantically said to Sue, as I turned the child's feet toward her approaching mother. "Where?" Sue excitedly asked, her terrified eyes searching. I extended my arms and turned Donna's feet toward myself. To my amazement, there was no charred burn on her foot. Not even a blister! Astonishment could easily be replaced, if there was a stronger word in the English language to describe my emotion. I laugh now, because my finger was still burned. Perhaps a little reminder it really happened. Donna stopped crying and I put her down. She went into the house with Sue. I picked up the mess and then followed them into the house. "Maybe God would heal me," Sue said when I came into the house. She had been in an accident and her back was injured. I put my arms around her and prayed: "Lord, You know what's wrong with Sue. I wont asked for any certain thing, since I don't know what's wrong. Please heal Sue. In Jesus Name, Amen." “God healed me!" she exclaimed. Ecstasy filled our house. I got on the phone and called the church. One of the assistant pastors was there. After hearing about God's wonderful mercy, He said, "Can you meet me at the church?"