Daily Devotional for July 6, 2022
Uncle Jeff’s Leg
“Uncle Jeff is finally out of the hospital,” Mom told Nathan as they were setting the table. “Isn’t that great? Aunt Kate’s going to bring him here for something to eat before he goes home.”
Nathan’s stomach churned. He bit his lip and shrugged. Uncle Jeff had been in a serious accident. He remembered Mom’s face pale with worry when they’d heard the news. Everyone had prayed for Uncle Jeff, but part of his leg had to be amputated. Soon he would be fitted with an artificial one.
Sadness welled up inside Nathan, then anger. Why didn’t God save Uncle Jeff’s leg? he wondered. Is it my fault? Maybe I didn’t pray the right way or hard enough.
The door sprang open as his aunt and uncle arrived. Uncle Jeff limped across the room on his crutches and sat down at the table.
During dinner, Nathan could hardly eat anything. He tried to smile as everyone chatted away. His uncle winked at him, and then the hot tears fell.
“What’s wrong?” Uncle Jeff asked, concerned.
“Oh, Uncle Jeff,” said Nathan, rushing over to sit near him. “Please forgive me. It’s not fair. I prayed for you—everyone at church did—but you still lost part of your leg.” Nathan wiped tears from his eyes. “My prayers weren’t answered. God didn’t listen. I should have prayed harder!”
Uncle Jeff squeezed his hand. “Oh, Nathan, God always hears your prayers—and those prayers were answered in a wonderful way. You think your prayers haven’t been heard because I now need a prosthetic leg, but they were. I’m blessed! I almost died, but God saved me, and now I have a new start. It will take lots of physical therapy to learn to walk with my new leg, but it won’t stop me from doing the things I love.” He smiled at Nathan. “I know it won’t be easy, but Jesus will help me through it. And even though I lost part of my leg, it won’t be this way forever. I’ll get my leg back when Jesus returns and gives me my resurrection body!”
Smiling through his tears, Nathan hugged his precious uncle. Thank You, Jesus, for listening after all, he prayed silently. Then he returned to his seat, ready to eat some delicious food for this special celebration.
-Cindy Lee
How about you?
Are you worried about someone who is sick? Do you wonder if God hears your prayers for that person? Remember that Jesus loves us so much He died and rose again so we could have eternal life with Him. He loves you and understands what you’re going through. Even when He doesn’t answer our prayers the way we expect, He hears us and promises to be with us. Keep praying and trust in Him.
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