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“We need to get him to the hospital right now!”
My feet seemed to be shackled to the floor as I stood in that cold doctor’s office with tears streaming
down my face and my heart racing at a thousand beats a minute.
“Miss Rainey, did you hear me? We need to get Joseph to the hospital right away.”
I had taken my 3-month old baby boy to the doctor because his appetite and energy had greatly
decreased, and as a young, first-time mom the slightest things worried me and warranted a trip to the
pediatrician. This particular doctor’s visit was unlike any other. I’ll never forget it.
Holding my sweet baby in my arms, I walked up to the front desk to sign in. A nurse walked up and
asked if she could take a peek at my sleeping beauty. “Sure” I said, flashing a huge smile as I pulled
his blanket away from his face. “Wow! Has his head always been that big?” She asked with a look of
deep concern. The look on my face must have read I know you did not just tell me my baby has a big
head, because she immediately apologized, and began to explain her reaction.
“I’m sorry” she said, “I didn’t mean to offend you, but his head looks abnormally large. I think you
should see the doctor right away. Follow me.” So I followed her, examining my baby boy’s head
along the way, trying to figure out how I’d missed that the size of it had changed. I immediately went
into panic mode.
As soon as his doctor laid eyes on him, she knew something was wrong. She did a quick examination,
and concluded that he had hydrocephalus, commonly known as “water head” and needed emergency
surgery. She explained to me that the fluid that should have been draining from Joseph’s brain was
building up instead, causing fatal pressure. I was terrified.
That same day in May 2003, my fragile little baby underwent surgery, where they placed a shunt to
keep the fluid from continuing to build up on his brain. After that surgery, Joseph suffered many
high fevers, infections, spent many weeks in and out of the hospital, and had a second surgery.
Doctors told me that he would not develop normally, would possibly be mentally challenged, and
have a lifetime of surgeries and medications ahead of him.
I didn’t have a real relationship with the Lord back then, and quite honestly, I thought I was being
punished for having a baby out of wedlock. But our compassionate and loving God does not operate
that way. And even in the midst of my mess, the Lord promised that He would heal my baby. He
spoke to my broken spirit, saying “…with my stripes he is healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) He has been faithful
to His word.
Though the first two years of Joseph’s life was rough, the Lord has proved the report of the doctors
to be totally wrong. He is perfectly normal. He never experienced ANY mental challenges, taken
any medications, or had any additional surgeries. Aside from allergies, or the common cold, he has
not had any serious sickness during the past 7 years. Every year, during Joseph’s annual follow-up,
his neurosurgeon is astonished by the fact that he’s doing so exceptionally well. My response is
always the same, “This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Psalm 118:23)
What a mighty, merciful, magnificent God we serve!
I shared my son’s story in hopes that you will be encouraged in knowing that God always has the final
say. It doesn’t matter what the doctors say; it doesn’t matter what statistics say; it doesn’t matter
what the critics say; it doesn’t matter what your family or friends say; it definitely doesn’t matter
what the enemy says, the Lord’s plan for your life supersedes any odd that may be stacked against
you.
If God is for you, absolutely nothing can stand against you. (Romans 8:31) Man may give you his
report, but I dare you to believe the report of the Lord which says:
You’re healed.
You’re whole.
You’re beautiful.
You’re loved.
You’re delivered.
You’re valuable.
You’re free.
You’re successful.
You’re victorious.
I believe the Lord’s report. How about you?
Enjoyed this article? Tell the writer by leaving a comment here or sending an email to
lcollins@eewmagazine.com.
ABOUT THE WRITER
LaKeisha Rainey-Collins, freelance writer and professional editor, is a wife and mom of three sons.
LaKeisha is the owner & operator of LRC Editing, a Christian writing business specializing in
proofreading, editing, ghostwriting, copywriting, and transcription services geared towards helping
small business owners, self-published authors, non-profit and ministry leaders, and individuals reach
their writing goals. She shares editing/writing tips on her business blog.
LaKeisha is also an inspirational blogger who enjoys sharing encouraging messages with everyday
women. Check out her blog, Real Woman, Real God.
Visit Lakeisha on Facebook.
My feet seemed to be shackled to the floor as I stood in that cold doctor’s office with tears streaming
down my face and my heart racing at a thousand beats a minute.
“Miss Rainey, did you hear me? We need to get Joseph to the hospital right away.”
I had taken my 3-month old baby boy to the doctor because his appetite and energy had greatly
decreased, and as a young, first-time mom the slightest things worried me and warranted a trip to the
pediatrician. This particular doctor’s visit was unlike any other. I’ll never forget it.
Holding my sweet baby in my arms, I walked up to the front desk to sign in. A nurse walked up and
asked if she could take a peek at my sleeping beauty. “Sure” I said, flashing a huge smile as I pulled
his blanket away from his face. “Wow! Has his head always been that big?” She asked with a look of
deep concern. The look on my face must have read I know you did not just tell me my baby has a big
head, because she immediately apologized, and began to explain her reaction.
“I’m sorry” she said, “I didn’t mean to offend you, but his head looks abnormally large. I think you
should see the doctor right away. Follow me.” So I followed her, examining my baby boy’s head
along the way, trying to figure out how I’d missed that the size of it had changed. I immediately went
into panic mode.
As soon as his doctor laid eyes on him, she knew something was wrong. She did a quick examination,
and concluded that he had hydrocephalus, commonly known as “water head” and needed emergency
surgery. She explained to me that the fluid that should have been draining from Joseph’s brain was
building up instead, causing fatal pressure. I was terrified.
That same day in May 2003, my fragile little baby underwent surgery, where they placed a shunt to
keep the fluid from continuing to build up on his brain. After that surgery, Joseph suffered many
high fevers, infections, spent many weeks in and out of the hospital, and had a second surgery.
Doctors told me that he would not develop normally, would possibly be mentally challenged, and
have a lifetime of surgeries and medications ahead of him.
I didn’t have a real relationship with the Lord back then, and quite honestly, I thought I was being
punished for having a baby out of wedlock. But our compassionate and loving God does not operate
that way. And even in the midst of my mess, the Lord promised that He would heal my baby. He
spoke to my broken spirit, saying “…with my stripes he is healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) He has been faithful
to His word.
Though the first two years of Joseph’s life was rough, the Lord has proved the report of the doctors
to be totally wrong. He is perfectly normal. He never experienced ANY mental challenges, taken
any medications, or had any additional surgeries. Aside from allergies, or the common cold, he has
not had any serious sickness during the past 7 years. Every year, during Joseph’s annual follow-up,
his neurosurgeon is astonished by the fact that he’s doing so exceptionally well. My response is
always the same, “This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Psalm 118:23)
What a mighty, merciful, magnificent God we serve!
I shared my son’s story in hopes that you will be encouraged in knowing that God always has the final
say. It doesn’t matter what the doctors say; it doesn’t matter what statistics say; it doesn’t matter
what the critics say; it doesn’t matter what your family or friends say; it definitely doesn’t matter
what the enemy says, the Lord’s plan for your life supersedes any odd that may be stacked against
you.
If God is for you, absolutely nothing can stand against you. (Romans 8:31) Man may give you his
report, but I dare you to believe the report of the Lord which says:
You’re healed.
You’re whole.
You’re beautiful.
You’re loved.
You’re delivered.
You’re valuable.
You’re free.
You’re successful.
You’re victorious.
I believe the Lord’s report. How about you?
Enjoyed this article? Tell the writer by leaving a comment here or sending an email to
lcollins@eewmagazine.com.
ABOUT THE WRITER
LaKeisha Rainey-Collins, freelance writer and professional editor, is a wife and mom of three sons.
LaKeisha is the owner & operator of LRC Editing, a Christian writing business specializing in
proofreading, editing, ghostwriting, copywriting, and transcription services geared towards helping
small business owners, self-published authors, non-profit and ministry leaders, and individuals reach
their writing goals. She shares editing/writing tips on her business blog.
LaKeisha is also an inspirational blogger who enjoys sharing encouraging messages with everyday
women. Check out her blog, Real Woman, Real God.
Visit Lakeisha on Facebook.
FEBRUARY 13-27 2012 EEW MAGAZINE
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