1Samuel 2:2 ESV
There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; for there is no rock like our God.
While weeding my flower garden, I unearthed a boulder rock. Well, not quite as big as a boulder but in the context of my garden space, it seemed to be like no other that I had ever seen in my yard.
I am really not great at gardening but like to plant flowers in the front and back gardens in my yard. After finding a hydrangea bush at a local store with deep purple and lavender blooms, I knew that it would be perfect in a specific garden spot in my yard and have room to get bigger. So, I grabbed a shovel and dug a significant hole in which it would sit. Normally, I would not have to dig so deep to plant vinca and other flowers in this garden space so digging deep in the ground with a shovel, not just a hand trowel, was new for me.
I could tell I had hit a rock because of the loud ding that the shovel made. It surprised me to realize that this rock had been under my yard for years, right under other plants which had grown above it during other years. But sure enough, there it was. I knew that the rock needed to be removed to allow space for the hydrangea so I found the edges of it and slid the shovel under it. I gave it my best effort and lifted the massive rock out of the earth.
I had to use the shovel to hoist the rock up and to the surface as it lay hidden in my flower bed. I placed it along the edge of the garden and noticed that it is unlike any of the other small rock pieces which I had also found while weeding.
Just like there in the garden where I least expected to find a rock, a massive 12 inch wide and two-three inch deep rock, I know that I will notice God in places where I least expect. I had started digging after hearing some troubling news at my doctor. Jabbing my shovel into the ground distracted me as I processed the doctor’s words. “There’s no way to know what this mass is in your foot unless an MRI is done.”
“What could happen?”, I thought.
“Don’t be anxious”, I replied back to my own mind.
Two dear teacher friends comforted me the next morning and one of them prayed for me. I sensed that God was moving in closer to me as we drew close to Him. Others are praying too for me for which I am grateful. The friends and family who pray for you in a crisis are the ones which God uses to remind you of His faithfulness. One of my friends sent me these comforting words which are a Scripture that she loves in Jeremiah 29:11:
He has the master plan because He is holy. He knows that I need hope and a future.
He is a Rock like no other. I had never faced an issue like this one but knew God would show up, just like that rock appeared out of no where in my garden. I have trusted God to heal and renew my foot.
Sweat rolled into my eyes stinging them with salt while I dug with my shovel on that humid, almost summer day in mid June. I lifted the hydrangea out of its box then into the circular hole in the garden. It finally had a home. Bright pink and purple flowers stand around the hydrangea as if they are its protective barrier. Now, when I water my plants each day and see their growth, I see the rock in the corner of my garden to remind me that God is my Rock. He is with me and provides a constant peace that passes my limited understanding.
He allows my circumstances and knows what will happen. I had several appointments with a few foot doctors after the MRI was done. As I waited to hear their assessment, I trusted in my God knowing He is my Rock. Jesus was broken so that I could experience wholeness. I prayed for healing for my body.
I am thrilled to report that there is nothing in my foot that needs any treatment or surgery. There is a mass near a tendon but these types of masses just sometimes happen. The mass could go away but there is no cause for concern!
He helped and comforted me in the waiting. God is my Rock. I am grateful for this great news! As I waited to hear from each doctor, God lead me to walk closer to Him and feel His presence near. I hope you will join me in thanking God and praising Him for this news. He kept me calm through the waiting. There is no rock like our God!
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!