Hello Texas Girl,
We continue to pray for you all... It sounds like you're doing a really great job, and that God is leading you in your husband's care and recovery. You asked about my Dad's story; depending on which version you want to hear, it's an odd story:
Version One:
Dad was trapping animals and became infected (they think) by enhaling some fumes of bait urine (I forget the animal). The odd thing is, two other men in the town came down with Encephalitus at the same time. All three were hospitalized. One died, one never quite recovered, and the third was my Dad.
My Dad was unconscious, but not quite in a coma for several weeks. Heavy doses of antibiotics, fluids, etc... and he finally woke up one day and began to recover. He has huge chunks of memory loss from those years. Since that time he has always had trouble remembering certain things - never the Bible though. His attention span is funny - almost like an autistic child. I don't know if he was like this when he was young, or if it is a physical result of the Enchephalitus. He will, at times, completely loose track of what was presently being talked about, and wander off in his own world.
Version Two:
My Dad was the young pastor of a small body of new believers, mostly hippies who had just gotten saved, and some military boys from a local Naval base. God instructed my Dad to teach on a certain subject. This subject was one my Dad also felt unsure about, and inexperienced, so he put it off, waiting until he might be more "qualified" to teach on the subject.
Due to lack of teaching, the Body as a whole ignorantly faltered and committed some act of foolishness in this particular area, that resulted in some falling away. The same week my Dad became ill with Encephalitus and was hospitalized.
He says that while his mind was locked away from the world, God rebuked him for his unbelief and disobedience, and that he knew without doubt that he was being chastised for not obeying immediately.
Two of the young believers (boys under 20 years, I believe) were praying for Pastor Mike and found the passage of Scripture that says to lay hands on the sick and they will be healed. They excitedly went to the hospital and stood over my Dad and prayed for him.
He woke while they were praying and began to recover. This life experience resulted in my Dad really fearing God - and was a significant foundational part of who my Dad became as a Bible teacher and leader of thousands. He fears no one and nothing like he fears God. It's the hard way to learn, but God is faithful.
In my own life, (my husband's too, he would say) sickness has often been tied to instruction. This doesn't mean it is always chastisement, but that it may be. More often, it is instrumental in simply learning something. A few times it has been for God's glory, to demonstrate His healing. Whenever I become severely ill, the first thing I do is fall on my face and listen to God. He is good.
So that is "the story" - both versions.
One of them belongs on 7xsunday.net... but, there you go.
Blessings on you and your family today!
Rebekah
