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Saved For A Purpose

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6. (KJV)

I looked up listlessly from the ironing board at my 3 months old daughter lying in her crib, her tiny body racked with fever. I had moved the ironing chore into her room because I wanted to monitor her body temperature. 

I was alarmed to see my baby, with eyes wide open and a fixed stare, frothing at the mouth. She was experiencing a full blown seizure!  Paralyzed with fear, I quickly contacted my husband Carl, who was conducting a church board meeting at that time.

The seizure stopped after what seemed like endless minutes and Shurnelle was rushed to Roseau’s hospital.  However, the fever was persistent and baby Shurnelle was crying constantly both day and night.  As the crying intensified I was asked by the nurses to take a walk with the baby to see if she would stop crying. This exercise was not 

helpful because whatever the baby was experiencing resulted in constant screaming.  For most people, it is heart wrenching to see an ill baby suffer and even more so for the helpless parents of that child. There is an agonizing feeling of powerlessness and a deep awareness of one’s total dependence on God.

After much prayer and a series of tests completed by the medical fraternity, Shurnelle was released from the hospital. Unfortunately, they were not wiser about the cause of her medical condition.

Our family moved to Trinidad where my husband Carl was called to work.  Shurnlle was still having bouts of high fever and seizures. I recall the many sleepless nights with basins of ice-cold water being applied to Shurnelle’s frail body. The illness had taken a toll on her small frame which depicted her weight loss, large weak eyes which settled in their sockets and short patches of hair on her scalp which reminded me of  “parched vegetation”, during the dry season on the Maracas mountainside. It was certainly not a healthy sight. The cycle continued with high fever, seizures, frequent visits to the doctor,, endless testing, and hospitalization. I recall a kind nurse leading me to the hospital room to rest and have a meal because I practically collapsed on the hospital floor with exhaustion. I pause to give God thanks and praise for taking me through those challenging times.

Three years later 

Shurnelle was now four years old and living in Trinidad.  One Wednesday night as my husband Carl was preparing to attend the church service, Shurnelle with a high fever, looked up at him and said, “Daddy I want nointing” Carl looked at her very surprised and said “What did you say Shurnelle?” She repeated her request and said “Daddy I want nointing.” Without hesitation, he got his tiny, special bottle of olive oil and while praying fervently, anointed the little girl that God had given to him.

Immediately, after Carl left for church I laid on the bed thinking about another long sleepless night ahead, nights filled with prayers, ice water, towels and Shurnelle’s persistent fever.  Suddenly, Shurnelle jumped off the bed and stood in front of a cracked mirror smiling. “I am healed, I am healed!!” she chanted jumping up and down.  To be honest, I can’t recall if I took what Shurnelle said seriously but I was extremely happy to see her showing some determination and optimism again.

Shurnelle Spencer was healed that night! The high fevers and seizures ceased immediately. What was the cause? Not even doctors had the answer but our Heavenly father knows. However, what we do know is that God answered the prayer of a little child. What a privilege it is to witness the faith of a little child!

My prayer is that Shurnelle (now grown) would allow God to direct her path and remember daily that she is not here by chance, but she is here for a purpose.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”Jeremiah 29:11

Written by Shurland Spencer