I was just a Christian on cruise control, rolling along with whatever came my way. I loved God and knew He loved me, but I thought I was here to just work on myself, always trying to live up to His expectations.
Ever since she was a little girl, Melanie Davis struggled with severe allergies to all sorts of things—dust, weeds, dog dander…you name it! Even with a daily routine of capsules, Melanie found it difficult just to breathe and sleep.
I kept everyone awake at night,
recalls Melanie,
and that June [2007], it was particularly bad. The whites of my eyes were swollen, so much so that they covered part of my pupils. I spent my days in a fog because of how bad the allergies were, and it didn’t seem like things would ever change.
Sitting in the back of the room with her tissue box in hand, Melanie spent the first night of the 2007 Summer Family Bible Conference trying not to fall asleep. Miserable and full of antihistamine, she listened as Andrew began telling a story about a very young girl who was laying her hands on people and seeing them healed.
Andrew then said that someone there was struggling with breathing and seasonal-type things, giving them trouble sleeping. He asked them to stand up. At that moment, it felt like there were arms under mine, lifting me up to my feet. There I stood, along with a few others around the room, when Andrew yelled, ‘Well, there’s Melanie Davis! Good to see you!’ I know I turned every shade of red there was.
Andrew then directed those nearby to lay hands on those who were standing. With her eyes closed, Melanie could feel the warmth as hands were laid on her shoulders, surrounding her in prayer.
I don’t remember what Andrew said or did,
remarks Melanie,
but at the end of the prayer, my eyes popped wide open. I could clearly see everything around me. My eyes didn’t itch at all, and I could feel the swelling leave. I was stunned and started crying. Then I looked to my left, and there was that young girl Andrew was telling us about. She had prayed for me! I was healed, head to toe, as quickly as the snap of my fingers.
I knew that night that God was real. I figured He probably was before, but now I knew He was alive and that I was healed! Don’t be discouraged. You don’t need to work for it; it’s already there, just waiting for you to believe it. I may not have all the answers, but I do know that God wants us to be like 3 John 2—in good health.
Melanie knew her healing had stuck like glue when she went on a bike ride in the same area where she had struggled to breathe before, and had no problems of any kind—except maybe keeping up with her kids! She can walk through a pasture, rub her face in a bed of weeds, mow, camp, fish, and cuddle with a dog without one single sniffle or sneeze. In the past eight years, she has not sneezed, and her eyes have not swelled.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13, New King James Version
