You may fall, but glory is in the rising!

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall
by Confucious

I had a friend who was hit by a car while on her morning walk one day. The driver never hit the brakes because he’d been blinded by the sun as he traveled down the hill. It was touch and go for a while, but a whole congregation and many others across the country were called to prayer. Her first few weeks were spent in ICU and it was determined that she may never walk again – a vibrant young mother, a smile for everyone with a greeting that included your name and a “how are you” followed by an expectant wait because she really cared.

Months later she walked up a flight of stairs and across a stage to the podium to say thank you for all of the kindness and prayers that they (she and her family) had no way of knowing from whom they had come. Even now my eyes fill with tears as she is a beacon – “look what God has done” and look what she did! She never gave up – there was a period where she required a cane to walk – but she walks now free of any outward sign that she’d been knocked down.

Then there’s the young mother who suddenly fell very ill shortly after the birth of her third child. They thought she’d suffered a heart attack – but it was found she had congestive heart failure and the prognosis was transplant or an early end to her life, but she believed God had another plan – and so did those who prayed for, with and over her. A short while later she returned for another battery of tests. The doctors were amazed. She was completely healed. Returned to a vibrant, happy, grateful life with her husband and children.

Be anxious for nothing, but in all things through prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6

You do not have because you do not ask. James 4:2b

So – with these witnesses – do not fear the asking, but be bountiful with the gratitude. Feel the gratitude as though the final outcome has occurred – I think that’s the faith …. The faith that helps us to rise after the fall…. Not necessarily to the applause of a crowd, but the observer – who watched, prayed and cared and was overwhelmed in the rise. One such as myself.

Today I stand in awe of the rise and count it a privilege to behold.