Our Dad was taken to the ER. Chest pains, a 'pop', feeling faint.
Little did we know what God had planned for our family. We will tell you one thing:
He showed His miraculous healing power & beyond any shadow of any doubt that could ever cross your mind let us tell you...
Jesus saved our Dad's life because logically & medically speaking he should not have lived.
Dad had a dissected aortic aneurysm. In laymans terms: he busted the crap right out of the entire layer of his aorta. By the time he got to the hospital he had no pulse & no blood pressure but he was STILL CONCIOUS. He talked his way through his symptoms & less than 2 hours from the time he heard his aorta pop (yes...he heard it pop!) he was on a bypass machine being prepped for surgery.
Here is Renae's personal account of how this has changed her life.
My dad and I have had our trying times all of my life. Over the past twelve years there has been a very fragile relationship between my family (Kdog & our kids) & my dad.
Let me throw this out there: divorce is tricky & hurtful. Watching your parents get divorced as an adult is heartbreaking.
But let me also say this: The Lord can work miracles to heal wounds that you thought could never be healed.
Kdog & I are very open with my dad. There was not a feeling unsaid regarding our relationship. Over the past four months my dad had reconnected consistently with my children. The Lord was preparing our household for what was about to happen. My children are very attached to my dad & I've never been able to say that before. And this was happening BEFORE his miraculous aortic repair.
When I got to the hospital & waited with his wife & my brother it felt like a bad dream. We didn't know if he would live through the surgery.
We waited for five hours and during those five hours The Lord melted away resentment & uncomfortable feelings. He replaced them with love & compassion.
As we waited for the surgeon my dad's wife said repeatedly 'I have a peace from The Lord that he is going to be ok.'
And he is.
The surgeon replaced his aortic valve & grafted a new aortic arch. His 'new parts' will probably outlast the rest of his body.
One new 'part' is a pig valve. My oldest has named him 'Bacon'.
We waited 8 hours that day before my brother & I followed 'Mamaw' (as our kids call her) into the ICU.
It was the best feeling in the world to kiss my dad's hand, pray over him, & realize The Lord had given him a second chance at life.
The next several days are hazy but mostly I remember seeing him sedated with tears rolling down his face. I knew my dad was in there.
My sister came and we had lots of time together (which is unusual since she lives 3 hours away!!). We prayed over Dad, stroked his hair & held his hands.
My most precious moment was praying over dad & my sister started to pray outloud. Dad was still sedated, breathing tube in & he became restless. He was responding to our prayers!!!
Dad has made a miraculous recovery. He came home on December 23. He's weak but progressing everyday. He had a small stroke & some vision damage but they are both resolving with each & every day!
While mamaw is at work he comes & hangs at my house. It's never dull here. And we keep him moving.
The love of children & laughter is the best medicine of all if you ask me!
This entire life changing experience has brought my entire family closer. Yes, even my mom & 'step' mom. We all have one thing in common: LOVE.
Love for our Lord & Saviour. And do you know what He commands?
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34, 35 NIV)
Tomorrow is never guaranteed.
Relationships are worth repairing.
Love always comes out ahead.
God is Healer, Sustainer, Giver of life.
Through all things God gives us strength to endure whatever life may bring.
I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13 NIV)
When something like this happens your perspective changes. You learn a lot about yourself & your family. The biggest thing I've learned is this...
Love.
Give. (Your time. Your support. With no strings attached)
Pray.
The Lord empowers you to do whatever it takes to come together if you ask Him first.
I'm thankful for this experience.
Weird, maybe?!?
My dad is a miracle through whom The Lord can use to bring other people to His Kingdom.
Amen.
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