Evelyn Johnson first noticed it a year previously. There was a problem in her throat–hoarseness and difficulty in swallowing, and at the same time there was a pronounced weakness in her right leg. Not to worry; perhaps if she waited, it would go away. When it didn’t, she went to the doctor, fearing that there might be a growth in her throat. Extensive tests revealed nothing. But the condition persisted, so she went to an eye, nose, and throat specialist. He said that there was a muscle in the throat that wouldn’t close, and mentioned something about an esophageal reflex. When muscle weakness increased, Evelyn decided to try a physical therapist. X rays of the lower back revealed nothing and treatments were unavailing. The therapist threw up her hands in frustration. Perhaps a chiropractor would help, so Evelyn went to a dear Christian friend. After more X rays and six treatments, he admitted he was puzzled. Her condition was obviously worsening.
Her doctor next suggested a neurologist. There was the possibility that there was a tumor at the base of the brain. So he called for an MRI test. This was a bit fearsome because the muscle in her throat did not close properly and she might choke when she was lying flat with her head enclosed. The results were negative. A spinal tap was next. It disclosed nothing. Nerve conduction tests were negative. But when the doctor did a muscle conduction test, “the needle practically jumped out of the machine.” The neurologist was zeroing in on a diagnosis. After studying the tests at length, he called Evelyn and her husband, Milt, to come to his office for a consultation. As graciously as he could, he told them he believed that she had Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Evelyn remembered the name, Lou Gehrig. He was the famous first baseman for the New York Yankees. Records show that he played 2130 consecutive ball games, compiled a .340 lifetime batting mark and hit 493 home runs. He was stricken with a form of spinal paralysis called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which eventually led to his death. Ever since then, A L S has been known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Later, the Johnson’s son, training to be a nurse, filled them in on some of the details of the disease. It usually affects men over 40, causing a breakdown of the cells of the spinal cord, which, in turn, leads to loss of muscle function. Muscles that control breathing and swallowing can be gradually affected. The cause is unknown and there is no known cure. The disease can take its course for 10 years.
The diagnosis would ordinarily have been shattering. True, after they reached the car, they had a time of weeping together. But Evelyn and Milt had a hidden resource–the Lord. Years ago they had both trusted Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Since 1978 they had carried on a Bible correspondence course ministry for prisoners. They were not strangers to the trials of life. Three years previously, Evelyn had had cancer surgery that, as she said, “caused her to soar on wings of prayer.” They were both strong Christians, like trees planted by rivers of water. Their roots were deep in God. When the storm came, they stood firm because their lives were built on the Rock of Ages.
Before going home from the doctor’s office, Evelyn said she would like to go to the local K-Mart to buy a gift for a friend. Typical of her–she was always thinking of others, not of herself. Before going in the store, they sat in the car and made a covenant with the Lord and with one another that they would not yield to depression or despair. They realized that they might be on an emotional roller coaster at times, but “they made a conscious decision that, with God’s help, they would not allow depression to take possession of them and overwhelm them.”
When their mission at K-Mart was accomplished, they emerged from the store and were immediately met by a Salvation Army bell-ringer. He handed them a small card folder with Christmas greetings on the cover. When they popped it open, they read:
“…thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).
Father, thank You for giving me the desire to keep going when it looks like my problems will crush me.
It was a personal message from the Lord just for them. There was no question about it. It flooded their souls with peace and comfort.
Indeed, it was a marvelous divine providence. Think of the following: After receiving such heavy news, Evelyn was strangely prompted to go to a department store. This was most unusual for someone who had just received such an unwelcome diagnosis. It was the first year either Evelyn or Milt had known the Salvation Army to pass out these cards to passersby in their area. There were dozens of cards with different messages from which the bell-ringer could have chosen. Why did he pick that particular one?
A few days later, a family friend went to another bell-ringer to see if he could get another card just like the one Evelyn had received. The Salvation Army man let him take a whole box and look through it. The friend offered to make a donation for every card he popped open. He was especially looking for a card with a teddy bear on the cover. There were plenty of teddy bear cards, but none with the same message. He almost ran out of money but he could not find a duplicate.
This same friend contacted the local Salvation Army, but they too were unable to provide another just like it.
The bell-ringer was the right person at the right time in the right place, and he handed just the right message to Milt and Evelyn.
Chance or coincidence? Milt and Evelyn knew better. They knew it was the care of the tender Shepherd to whom they had entrusted their souls many years earlier. Milt’s comment was, “They tell me that the day of miracles is over. No way!” And Evelyn’s comfort is Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”