Happy Birthday Sallie!

March 6th--This date will forever be very special to me. Today is my best friend, Sallie's 31st birthday--so Happy Birthday Sal--I love you! Sal was my college roommate at Harding, and we have stayed close for the almost 10 years since we graduated. She now teaches in New York City (she has for almost 8 years now) and is currently getting her Master's in teaching the blind at Columbia University. I'm very proud of her!

Ten years ago she and I both were a part of a life changing event. A group of us from Harding had gone to the Purple Cow in Little Rock to celebrate Sal's birthday because they made her favorite purple milkshakes. After dinner, we went to the mall for some shopping. On the way in the mall, our good friend Michael hopped over a railing and instead of landing on the sidewalk that he thought was there, he fell 40 feet into the parking garage below. I was right behind him and saw the accident. The events that followed can only be described as surreal. The miracles that occured that night and would occur in the days and weeks to come are unbelievable. A man was getting into his car in the garage where Michael fell and immediately called 911...he then saw Michael's WWJD bracelet and immediately knelt over him and prayed. We found out later the man's name was Mr. Lamb and he played Jesus each year in his church's Easter pageant.

Michael had emergency brain surgery that night and Sallie and I met with the surgeon since his family was still en route to the hospital. The news was very grim, but he let us see Michael. Michael was unrecognizable and wasn't conscious, but we prayed with him and each held one of his hands. When we said "amen," he squeezed our hands. Someone put the scripture, Exodus 14:14 over his hospital bed--"The Lord will fight for you; you only need to be still." Michael woke up 3 days later and after much physical therapy made a full recovery. Michael amazed the doctors who said he wouldn't live. He irritated the nurses because when he was waking up, they asked him if he could name any of the presidents. He not only named them all, but in chronological order. Today Michael is getting ready to graduate with his PhD in Psychology this summer and is married to his high school and college sweetheart and has a handsome son. Michael is a miracle.

It is so hard for me to believe that it has been 10 years today. Each year Sallie's birthday holds such significance because we not only celebrate her but Michael's life. After his accident, we could clearly see the power of the Lord. He was so mighty in the healing of Michael. Michael's parents received emails from all 50 states of people praying for him. Sometimes today I get so caught up in the mundane details of life, I forget about God's amazing power. Each year on March 6th I am reminded. Its hit me especially hard this year since its the 10th anniversary. Praise God for what he has done and what he continues to do!