Do you remember what life was like before social media? What about before cell phones? Some would argue life was better, while others would probably disagree. People share everything, with their friends, family, and even complete strangers. You know within moments where people are, where they went, what they had for dinner. The good, the bad, and everything in between is all out there for everyone else to see. For many people, social media is a way to reach out to people for support, for community, and for prayer. And I know that there is power in that, especially in prayer. I sometimes find myself wondering would social have made a difference for me?
30 years ago when I was born, there was no family family text sent around with my baby picture in it. First of all, I was purple and very sick so there was no baby picture taken, but secondly, the only thing that happened was phone calls. (Phone calls to houses with phones that were attached to the wall and had a cord. How ancient!) Phone calls about a baby girl, with a heart problem. My parents weren't able to start a Facebook group called 'Prayers for Emily Anne' so that complete strangers on the other side of the world could hear my story, keep updated on my surgeries, and pray for me. All they had was our family, and their friends, who were praying as much and as hard as they could. The pictures they took of me, hooked up to tubes and machines, were taken on a camera with film that had to be developed and then put in a photo album. They weren't uploaded to Facebook or Instagram and there was no #prayfromemilyanne either. My parents pain and their joy was private, and shared only with the family around them. My good days and bad days were mine and my families. No comments, no likes, no sharing. But would it have been different if all this was happening now?
If more people knew, if my story reached more people, if more people were praying...would the challenges I faced, the set backs that occurred; would they have turned out different if they had been shared on social media? This really comes to own big question that I've contemplated over and over in mind? The question is: Would I have experienced complete healing if more people were praying for me when I was born?
That question stings a little. That question makes my eyes water too. That question is a struggle to even admit that I ask. The reason it stings, the reason I cry, the reason it's a struggle is because I already know the answer. It's an answer that some days I don't really like. The answer is, "No."
No. No, it would not have made a difference. No, sharing my story would not have made me better or prevented pain and set backs and struggles. No, more prayers would not have somehow convinced God to 'fix me'. In James chapter 5 the Bible says that, "the prayers of the righteous availeth much..." and I know a family full of righteous and wonderful people who were praying and whose prayers were heard by God. Their faith, despite of the odds stacked against me, moved mountains on my behalf. And the best part is, their prayers were answered. I'm alive, I'm complication free since my surgeries, I'm as healthy as one can be with half a heart! And that is all because of the fervent prayers of a few instead of many. That is because of the faith of a family who choose to say, 'We believe in God's best and nothing less.'
Would having a Facebook page dedicated to me been a nice thing?...sure! But God doesn't need Facebook to answer prayers. God's plan for me wouldn't have changed because of comments on a social media account. He's been doing it since wayyyyyyyy before cell phones were invited, and way before they were attached to the wall! And he's had a plan for my life since before time began. I've been living in it and walking it in since I was born. I don't believe I've missed it or that it was missed because not enough people heard my story. I don't believe that complete healing was a part of his plan for me (Perhaps that's another topic for another blog another day.) and I don't believe that it could have happened if only there were more people praying for me.
I'm content reading others stories on social media. And yes, I'm praying for them. I like to be a part of people's lives in that way. I excited to utilize social media to share my story as it continues to unfold. I'm thankful for those of you who have become a part of the family and friends whose prayers have gotten me to where I am today.
Thank you! For praying with me and for me. And for continuing to read my blog!
Love,
Emmy
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