For years I’ve struggled with hearing loss at the lower frequencies because of damage from a severe ear infection in my thirties. In the last decade, that hearing loss had worsened to the point where I could no longer ignore it so last fall I was tested and purchased state-of-the-art hearing aids. However, even after experimenting with multiple settings I was still struggling with clarity and honestly found myself quite disappointed.
During our Lazarus Weekend in early August, the Friday night Generational Eucharist was winding down and I was sitting near the front of the church enjoying the afterglow of the altar ministry time when my friend Joseph approached me and said he heard the Lord telling him to pray for my ears. He placed his hands over my ears, said a brief prayer, and walked away. I was so focused on the service and so preoccupied by what the Holy Spirit was doing in the room, that it never occurred to me to check my hearing!
On Saturday morning I needed to be at church early for the next session and left the house in a hurry forgetting my hearing aids. The first meeting was breakfast in our fellowship hall which acoustically is not the best place on our campus to hear poorly! Sitting at a table with seven other people I realized that I had forgotten my hearing aids and was hearing everyone without difficulty. To say I was shocked is an understatement!
I’ve not worn hearing aids since that Friday night. To claim my hearing is perfect would be dishonest – however, my hearing without hearing aids is much better now than it was before WITH them. A close friend said he would estimate a 75% improvement!
I am so grateful and overjoyed by this wonderful gift!