4 Years Since the Pandemic: Experiencing God’s Power in the Storm
I thought I knew where the Holy Spirit was leading me because He gave me the words to write a beautiful children’s book.
Every time I felt prompted, I sat down to write. The words flowed freely and easily, making the book nothing short of amazing. Yet, God’s work in me was not complete. He was not ready for my book to be released. What could possibly be the hold-up when it was quite obvious that He had inspired the words? Like so many aspects of our lives, we presume to understand our path. The notion is laughable, really. How could I presume to know more than God? It’s ludicrous. Yet, once He bestowed upon me those beautiful words, I convinced myself that His work was done—that I was on my own. The idea that God could ever be finished with us is, in itself, laughable.
On a bright April morning in 2020, the Holy Spirit inspired me to pen a children’s book that filled me with elation. The process took about ten minutes, and the result was adorable—a story about a little girl overwhelmed by fear due to her school's closure and the inability to see her friends, all because of a terrible sickness far worse than the flu. The narrative concluded with her finding comfort in her father’s nightly prayers, realizing that if God could guide us through such adversity, He could lead us through anything. The story’s comforting, rhyming words seemed to create a perfect children’s book. However, as we now know, April 2020 was merely the onset of prolonged challenges. Students were not allowed to return to school to complete the year, prompting me to add to the story. Guided by the Spirit, I expanded the book to include six chapters and an epilogue, never anticipating its eventual length. With every reading, the emotional depth of the story moved me to tears. The young girl’s journey—marked by comfort through her father’s prayers, life lessons, and a deepening relationship with God—culminated in her leading readers to Jesus. What I initially thought complete in ten minutes ultimately took a year to finalize. Then began the search for a publisher, a journey longer and more instructive than I had anticipated.
During this period, our family faced a profound challenge: one of our adult sons was diagnosed with metastasized melanoma, a condition deemed incurable. Despite avoiding a prognosis timeline, online resources grimly suggested a life expectancy of four to six months. The subsequent COVID-19 diagnoses within our family could have been overwhelming. Instead, God bestowed upon us an inexplicable peace. Amidst prayers for miraculous healing, our son underwent an aggressive treatment regimen that ultimately led us to seek alternative therapies. Remarkably, God facilitated a spiritual healing, transforming our son into a vibrant testament to Jesus’s love and salvation. This spiritual renewal was a gift beyond measure.
Our son’s journey took a miraculous turn when, upon a follow-up examination, it was revealed that all signs of cancer had vanished. This moment of divine intervention was a testament to God’s grace and power. Reflecting on these events, I see God's hand at work not only in our son’s healing but in strengthening our family and deepening our faith.
As we prepared to publish this heartfelt book, our experiences during the pandemic and the witnessing of a genuine miracle profoundly changed us. Our faith has grown, our approach to life has become more selfless, and we’ve become bold in sharing our story, hopeful that it will inspire faith in others.
The little girl’s story in ‘Twas the Time of Prayer not only captures these themes but also extends an invitation to faith, complemented by Pastor J. D. Hornbacher’s illustrations that beautifully encapsulate faith and life lessons. Destiny Image Publishers has generously provided resources for new believers, and Becky Dvorak’s one-sentence prayers offer a powerful tool for teaching children the power of prayer.
Today, I am reminded of the Holy Spirit's incredible guidance through the challenges of a global pandemic, teaching us lessons of faith and hope. Thank you, Jesus, for your healing power. We pray in Your name, Amen.
