A picture of faith

So I've finally finished week one, and I'm on to week two of phase one. It's been ok. I'm starting to get bored with my options in phase one. I was never a big egg eater and now I'm eating them every morning for breakfast cause that is about all I'm allowed to have. So I'm ready to start adding new foods. But overall I am feeling really good. I'm exercising at least 3 times a week - and I'm starting to feel the benefits they talk about in the Maker's Diet like more energy.

But I really wanted to take this time to explain the most important part of this journey - faith. I have faith that God is leading me down this path, and that he ultimately will heal me. I've learned a lot about my faith in God since I got sick last summer. There have been moments where I've hit rock bottom and have just cried. And then I try to remember to praise God when I have the good times like good reports from the doctor. My faith has been put thru the ringer, but I totally believe I have a lot stronger faith in God than I ever did when I was healthy.

Since I got sick, there has been one picture of faith that God has printed in my mind over and over again. She doesn't have a name, but her small actions caused the Son of God to notice.  Her story is found several times in the Gospel. All we really know about her is that she was bleeding for many years and spent countless dollars and time trying to find a remedy for her illness. Nothing seemed  to work - sounds familiar. When she heard that Jesus was in town, she mustered the strength to go to the street, press thru the crowd and touch the edge of Jesus' cloak. Her touch, however light it might have been, was strong enough to get Jesus' attention, because he looked for her. Once he found her and learned her story, Jesus said the words I am praying to hear: "Take heart my daughter," he said. "Your faith has healed you." Now that's that kind of faith I want, that I'm praying for, and that I'm believing will come.

I know I said this picture of faith has reappeared in mine life since I got sick last summer. In January, I was given an actual picture of it. Our church was having a week of fasting and prayer. Each night during the week our church was gathered for prayer and each night was a different theme. Thursday night was all about healing prayer - our church has an anointed healing prayer ministry so I knew I needed to be there. During the service, they had two girls painting prophetic art during worship, and the picture below is what one of the artist painted. I knew that the painting was for me - and even cooler was that one of our pastors knew my story and presented me with the painting at the end of the service. The painting now hangs in my room at the end of the bed so that I see it as I go to bed and its the first thing I see in the morning. It is a daily reminder of what I'm praying for and expecting God for. I have no doubt that one day I will hear Jesus say, "Ashley, take heart my daughter. Your faith has healed you."