“Who?  You?”

“You’ll never be able to play the piano again.”

My spirit cringed and I winced as I heard these words.

They were spoken with such finality. God knew how much playing the piano meant to me.

But something inside me refused to totally embrace them.

Not yet.

Not now

Maybe never.

No, it was too soon to tell

and my heart trusted in a Power beyond myself.

It had been a freak accident

that caused a huge hematoma on the back of my right hand.

I had been working in the kitchen preparing a meal of lasagna

and happened to crack my hand on the edge of the counter.

Instant pain had brought tears to my eyes

but of greater concern was the immediate swelling

that occurred before my eyes.

Through that night and into the following days

my throbbing huge hand grew to more than twice its normal size

limiting my activity and forcing me to change my daily routines.

Rest, ice, compression and elevation the doctor said.

But these questions continued to haunt me –

Would  I ever play the piano again?

Would I ever be able to do those runs

up and down on the keyboard? Would I be permanently limited?

I heard the negative word – never –

but I wondered

wasn’t it too soon to make that statement?

I prayed and waited and prayed some more.

I looked at my hand and felt discouraged.

I read in His Word and was stirred to hope.

Today although it’s been three years since that painful accident

I can still remember the battle in my mind.

Meditating on words of power and belief

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ephesians 3:20

Battling human reasoning –

glass half empty thinking.

It’s always that way, isn’t it?

We are surrounded by glass half empty thinkers –

Well meaning most of the time

but still not reckoning on the power of God.

When I play the piano today I am thrilled that my right hand

has fully recovered and is limber as ever.

It was not always that way.

No, for a space of about an age-long year or two

I struggled to play the piano.

Even a few notes hurt at first

but I kept playing.

Slowly at first and then with greater confidence.

Healing began to take place

and with the healing

my joy overflowed.

He still works.

He still heals.

He still restores.

Pray and wait and pray some more.

No, He doesn’t always restore here on earth

Sometimes, full healing is for heaven.

But  we can always trust Him to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all we can think or imagine

both now and forever more.

Listen to those words of power and let them sink deep within your soul.

Embrace them with all that you are.

His Power is greater than man can fathom.

His faithfulness is sure.

Believe in Him and keep your eyes on the Morning Star.

He is Who He says He is.

He does what He says He will do.

Think belief.

Talk faith.

Live out your faith with confidence.

His Power for your weakness.

His Power over-ruling everything.

Oh for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise.

Let’s never forget the triumphs of His Grace.