So, you say you don’t believe in miracles. Well, then, let me try to change your mind.
The story begins with my mother. She’s had a rough year medically. Between mini-strokes, congestive heart failure, and a slew of other ailments, she’s spent weeks in the hospital and in rehab, mostly alone due to Covid restrictions. Not even my son’s girlfriend, a nurse on another floor, could visit.
Lonely, depressed, and tired of feeling sick, my normally upbeat 87-year-old mother prayed to Jesus, asking him to take her home. She’d never prayed for death before, but that’s how low her spirits had sunk.
That night in February, she learned what Jesus thought of her request.
“I don’t want you yet. Your time hasn’t come,” He said in a dream, leaving more questions than answers.
A few days after her release, not quite healed and still struggling to eat and walk on her own, my mother asked, “Do you think God really came to me?”
“Absolutely,” I said. “Tell me more.”
But Mom offered no further details and nothing more was mentioned.
Second Part of the Message
Despite Jesus’s confirmation that death wasn’t imminent, Mom wasn’t progressing on the road to wellness.
In March, she was hospitalized again, and then again in April. She was on a merry-go-round with her fistful of drugs prescribed to regulate everything from blood pressure and pulse rate to water and salt retention. One problem solved, another popped up. She was playing a game of whack-a-mole.
By June, Mom finally turned the corner, and that’s when she revealed the second part of Jesus’s conversation with her.
Katie’s Trauma
But let me provide some context. Six or seven years ago, my niece, Katie, then 33, discovered she was pregnant, a happy occasion for her family. Her four-year-old son, Eli, had been wanting a brother or sister for as long as he could remember.
But something wasn’t right. While pregnancy tests confirmed her condition, ultrasounds found no trace of a fertilized egg inside her uterus.
Her trauma was just beginning.
While eating dinner, Katie experienced abdominal pains so sharp she ran to the bathroom, vomited, and passed out on the floor. In and out of consciousness, she was vaguely aware of Eli seeing her curled up into a ball before her husband, Matt, took him to another room.
Ruptured Fallopian tubes due to an ectopic or tubal pregnancy is serious business. She nearly died from the internal bleeding.
“It changed him for sure,” said Katie, now 40, referring to Eli. “He and Matt became very, very protective of me.”
Given her “advanced maternal age”—a term her doctors use—and only one Fallopian tube, Katie had little hope of ever having a successful pregnancy.
“It was a 50-50 chance, and if it did happen, it would be high-risk,” she said. “I was scared. We were all afraid. I got on with my life and figured it would be just the three of us, a happy, little tripod family. This was the life we were supposed to have.”
God’s Other Plans
But God had other plans.
Katie did get pregnant. She found out in June. When she told her Mom-Mom, my mother acted unsurprised. “She said she kind of knew already,” Katie said. ‘“Remember when Jesus came to me in that dream? He said something else,'” my mother to Katie. ‘”He asked me, ‘Don’t you want to see the miracle baby?’”
At first, Katie thought her grandmother was trying to be “the wise, old woman.” Why didn’t she mention a baby to begin with? ‘“I didn’t know who might become pregnant and didn’t want to raise false hopes,”’ my mother explained. But another piece of information turned Katie’s head completely around.
“She also told me it was a girl,” Katie said. “I just found out yesterday. It’s a girl, a very healthy girl. Everything is as it should be. Mom-Mom’s batting a thousand.”
Hope Restored
My mother, who prayed for death in February and struggled during the intervening months, never lost hope after the dream.
But Katie’s miraculous news has added pep to her step. She’s tossed the walker, and rarely uses her cane. She climbs steps and goes out Friday nights to watch my sister and brother-in-law play shuffleboard with their friends, something she hasn’t done since the first stroke in February.
She sounds stronger on the phone and more engaged in conversation, interested in what people have to say. She’s visited her beach house several times this summer—something no one expected earlier this year.
My mom has a new lease on life, and fully intends to meet the miracle baby Jesus promised she would see. God, in His own timing, has sealed her hope and reason to live.
But think about young Eli, who was barely out of toddlerhood when he saw his mother writhing on the floor. God is providing something he always wanted—the chance to be a big brother.
“It is uplifting,” Katie said, when I asked her if I could share her story and the short video her husband took when Eli learned the news. “This has been a crazy journey. Someone might find hope from it.” God has done a beautiful thing and I think He wants me to share that beauty with you. Watch the video and see for yourself.
A beautiful, inspiring story!
I hope you watched the video, too. It brings it all home.
Lori, you made me cry. Its a beautiful story. So happy for all of you. Glad Aunt Vivian is doing OK. Love you all.
Yep, her story has amazed a lot of people. I can’t begin to tell you how much she’s improved since February. Thanks so much for reading and taking time to comment. Hugs.
Lori, this is all fabulous news! I have been thinking of Viv and unfortunately Lynne and I have not connected much lately so I had no idea about the baby. Thank you for sharing this miraculous and inspiring story. Hope restored indeed!
Thanks, Kathy. Glad you read the post. If you’re so inclined, share it. Honestly, it was touch-and-go earlier this year. Mom’s made a 180!
Beautiful! This someone needed to read this story. Love you my friend.
Awesome. If you know of someone else, please share. Love you.
Love everything about this story. We have a God of miracles & hope! (FYI – Unable to watch video.)
Thanks, Sandy. The video is on YouTube. Click the link in the black box. If that’s a hassle, let me know. I’ll talk with the webmaster to see if we can embed on lorikeesey.com.
So glad you wrote about this Lori. We were sitting around with our mouths open as she told us this one night. ❤️. Miracles around us every day.
I know. I’m glad she and Katie let me write about it. I hope you looked at the video. Thanks for reading. I appreciate it so much.
I love the beauty and inspiration of this story. God is still in the miracle business!! So exciting that he is using your family to display His amazing glory. ❤️
Beautifully told and yes, you made me cry. Great news all around.
Yes, it is great news. Remember our conversations a few months ago when my mom’s health looked so grim? Complete turn-around. Thanks for reading.
Our God is Good and Faithful all of the time. Nothing is impossible, but everything will be as it should if we have Faith through his Son Jesus Christ. Thanks for sharing the ” Good News “!
Slim, Thanks so much. One of these days, I want to talk with you! Email me with your contact info.
Wow, such an inspiration! I have no words, only tears and awe at the favor and goodness of God…and.the impact on all your family. Wow!
Awesome, isn’t it?
What a great story. Jeff and I know what it is like to lose a baby. Our daughter died full term, January16,1976. She was 4 days old. It is something you never get over. You get though it.
Isn’t that the truth. I had no idea you were another member of the club no one wants to join. Losing a child is the hardest thing I ever endured. Thanks for sharing. Take care of yourself. BTW: Have a great birthday.
Love this story, Lori! Thanks so much for sharing God’s divine guidance in your families life through the generations. So powerful!
It was fun to write. So much hope; my mother is back!
So happy for all! What a blessing. Glad your Mom is doing so much better. The new lil one will give her a twinkle in her eye now since she knew all along she would be coming into this world. Thanks for sharing!🤗🥰
Love this!
I love the story, too. I’m seeing that little cutie tomorrow! Can’t wait.
Hi Lori! This is such a beautiful story and confirmation of Gods grace and goodness. I met with my church life group today for a new fall Bible study. We shared stories of answered prayers, the power of prayer, and the awesomeness of our God. Finding this tonight, my already full heart is that much more filled at hearing about another miracle! Our fortunate we all are. On a side note, I have many fond memories of your Mom and am so happy to hear how well she’s doing. Please say hi to her from me. I’d love to write to her too!! Let me know if I can PM my email (though I think you have it). Take care and thanks again for sharing.
Hi Michele. Thanks so much for writing. My mom’s story is awesome. That’s why I advertised it again. So hopeful—especially with the arrival of our miracle baby. Take care.