Unusual Signs and Wonders Today? - True Story
By Renae Patterson of Christian Woman Daily.Com

In the year 2002, the state of Texas, didn’t issue social security numbers, birth, or death certificates to parents of stillborn babies. On October 25 2002, my third daughter was stillborn In TX.
 
The realization I wouldn’t be given any official documents left me numb. I reasoned the rest of the world considered my child’s life and death were insignificant. My nine long months of pregnancy, the pain of labor, and delivery was all in vain and the baby had no identity.
 
About a month after her funeral, I found an internet company that created “unofficial certificates of life” for stillborn babies. I immediately gave them my baby’s information- her DOB, weight, time of birth, length, hospital name, and placed the order.
 
A week or so passed, and I received a package in the mail with the company’s name imprinted on the front.
 
I tore into the package and pulled out a “Certificate of Life” with my baby’s information written in beautiful calligraphy.
 
At last, something to acknowledge her existence. The certificate looked almost identical to my other two daughter’s birth certificates.
 
At the time, I was a work- at- home mom with a lot of free time on my hands (at least while my older girls were in school), so I decided to use my free time learning to write in calligraphy (inspired by the beautiful handwriting on the certificate).
 
Learning something new was therapeutic during this grieving period, but the pain of her loss was still fresh. I had to rely solely on God to help during the weak and lonely moments.
 
I knew I had to pray, listen to the Holy Spirit and read my bible. I searched the scriptures night and day for answers, and the Holy Spirit was finally able to calm my spirit. He reminded me of God’s grace, and God’s grace was sufficient for me.
 
Now that I was experiencing peace, I began asking my husband what he thought about trying to have another baby. He said he wasn’t sure. He wanted to try again, however he thought it was too soon. (It had only been about 4 months).
 
He was afraid something terrible could happen again. He also made the comment “I’m just too old to have anymore children”.
 
True, he is older than I am, but I believe he only said this out of fear of the unknown.
 
I disagreed about the age comment, but decided not to push the issue any further (because I knew he was still grieving too). I continued practicing my calligraphy, praying and reading scriptures.
 
On March 7, 2003, five months after the funeral, I picked up my bible and prayed, asking the Lord to direct me to the scripture He would have me read. Leaving my bible open, I decided to wait and see if the Holy Spirit would give me scripture guidance.
 
While waiting for an answer, I noticed my calligraphy pen and paper sitting on the table in front of me.
 
I picked up the pen (thinking I might take notes on my bible study), but as I pressed the pen down on the paper, no ink came out. I shook the pen, tried to get the ink to come out, but nothing.
 
Frustrated with my pen, I shook it harder and tapped it against my leg. Finally, I saw ink starting to flow through the end. As I placed the pen on paper, the ink flowing from the tip of the pen made a dark impression on the page that looked like the number 2 with the letter K next to it. “How Strange” I thought. I put the lid back on the pen and placed it back down on the table. As I picked up the bible, I scanned through the contents page, trying to decide which book to read.
 
I looked at the bible’s contents, then, glanced back at the paper with the 2K on it. My mind made a strange connection. The connection was between the 2K marking on the paper, and the bible book 2nd Kings.
 
“That was it!” I needed to read 2nd Kings. I began flipping through the pages and finally made it to 2nd Kings Chapter 1. As I began reading, I discovered I had never read this book.
 
When I made it to Chapter 4:8, I read these words:
 
One day Elisha went to Shunem and a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. [9] She said to her husband, "I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. [10] Let's make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us."
 
2KI 4:11 One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there. [12] He said to his servant Gehazi, "Call the Shunammite." So he called her, and she stood before him. [13] Elisha said to him, "Tell her, `You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?' " She replied, "I have a home among my own people."
 
2KI 4:14 "What can be done for her?" Elisha asked. Gehazi said, "Well, she has no son and her husband is old."
 
2KI 4:15 Then Elisha said, "Call her." So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. [16] "About this time next year," Elisha said, "you will hold a son in your arms." "No, my lord," she objected. "Don't mislead your servant, O man of God!" 2KI 4:17 But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.
 
After reading these words, I knew in my heart this message was for me, and my situation. It reminded me of the writings that appeared to Daniel (see Daniel 5:5).
 
Why would God bless me with a son? I had already given birth to three girls and my husband had a girl from a previous marriage. It would seem impossible we would ever have a son, but I claimed these scriptures for myself and kept them in my heart.
 
On January 19, 2004, I gave birth to a healthy 7lb 12 oz baby boy approximately 46 weeks after reading 2Kings (Note: An average pregnancy from conception to due date takes approx 40 weeks).
 
Was this just a coincidence? I don’t think so. To my husband and I, this incident was a gracious sign from the Lord, a gift, and miracle I didn’t ask for or expect. (I assumed I would never have a son).

My conclusion:

Is it possible God still moves in people’s lives the way He did in the bible? Of course he does. Jesus Christ is Alive. God still does amazing things as signs for us. He also does many things outside of His Word, just never contrary to His Word. John said in John 21:25- Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Am I being arrogant because I believe He can bless me in the same way He blessed the Shunamite woman in 2nd Kings? I don’t think so, the people of the bible were just men/women, just like you and I.

God uses the weak to confound the strong. We shouldn’t glorify any people in the bible (with the exception of Jesus); they were nothing but clay in the hands of The Potter.

Millions of people around the world from all different backgrounds find miracle healing, forgiveness and love through Jesus in our day! What the Lord did for others, he can still do for you. He is no respecter of persons.

Should it surprise a true believer in God that God is working miracles and showing signs of His power today? According to the Bible, "Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). If Jesus was ever a miracle worker, He is today.

Did He ever say He would stop doing miracles? To deny miracles, is to mock prayer today, since even the slightest true answer to prayer involves a measure of divine intervention. God can do whatever He wants at any time. Jesus is not dead. He is a risen savior- our high priest. While there is order in the Universe, there is also plenty of room for the direct involvement of God's Spirit.

You can believe this story if you want. I’m going to get my son, hold him in my arms, praise God, and give Him the glory.

*****

Renae Patterson is the editor for an online Christian magazine for women entitled "Christian Woman Daily.Com" but she also writes her own articles. Renae is the mother of three girls and one son. To see additional articles by Renae, please visit http://www.christianwomandaily.com

Just a Mom

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is, "explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a...?"

"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman. "I'm a Mom."

"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it," said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."

"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out.

"I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.

Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).

I'm working for my Masters, (the whole darned family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).

But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.

Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom."

Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" and great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates"?

I think so!!!! I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants.

Please send this to another Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, and other friends you know.
May your troubles be less, your blessings be more and nothing but happiness come.

There is no such thing as failure.
There's only Feedback.

Why God Made Moms
Submitted by Carol Holmes

"Why God made moms" answers given by elementary school age children to the following questions:
 
Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other Mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your Mom?
1. My Mom has always been my Mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did Mom need to know about dad before she  married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on  beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to  chores?

Why did your Mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work & work at home, & dads  just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your Mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your Mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I  think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your Mom, what  would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my Mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it  and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on her back.

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