Selah Corner: Holding Fast in Times of Trouble
Photos courtesy of Norma Pittman
Norma Pittman is the wife of Pastor Al Pittman of Calvary Worship Center (CWC) in Colorado Springs, CO, and also serves as the director of CWC’s Renewed Women’s Ministry. Married for 48 years, they have three grown children and are proud grandparents and great-grandparents. After being diagnosed with a deadly liver disease, Norma was told she would need a transplant to survive. People around the world were praying for her. On October 2, 2022, God answered—Norma received a lifesaving liver.
Let us continue holding fast to the hope we acknowledge, without wavering; for the One who made the promise is trustworthy. Hebrews 10:23, CJB.
In October of last year, I wasn't sure if I'd see the next hour, next day, or the next year of my life here on earth. One day, I began to have an unfamiliar pain in my upper stomach. I ignored it for quite a while, but it continued to get more painful. I noticed my eyes were as jaundiced looking as I'd ever seen! My skin and inner ear had turned very dark. I was embarrassed because it really looked like I had a problem with hygiene and looked like I had tied one on the night before! LOL. Those that know me realized that wasn't true or normal for me. My life is usually full of loving Jesus, my family, ministry, and where's the latest sale!
Yet, I was very tired with not much energy. Honest! I just wanted to sleep. When tested, I was told my liver was diseased, and I'd need a liver transplant. I was diagnosed with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). I guess over-the-counter drugs and vitamins had taken a toll on my liver. Unfortunately, this diagnosis usually causes no signs or symptoms until it's too late.
According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), there are over 104,234 men, women, and children on the national transplant waiting list. While approximately 17 people die each day waiting for an organ transplant, there were over 42,000 transplants performed in 2022—I was one of those statics.
The liver is your largest internal organ—about the size of a football—located in the upper right portion of your abdomen. When I think about the faithfulness of God to someone like me, it brings tears to my eyes. There were so many days I asked, "Why Lord, did you choose me to live?" I don't know the person that donated their liver to me, but God does, and that is a part of their legacy and mine. I guess you can say the donor still lives on in me.
When diagnosed with liver disease, God provided two wonderful people who offered me half of their liver: my son, Reggie, and Michelle, a CWC staff person. I could hardly control my emotions at that point. How could God be so faithful to a person so insignificant?
God miraculously provided Norma a lifesaving liver, resolved insurance barriers, and aftercare for her and Al. “I’m sharing this to encourage anyone waiting for God to answer his or her prayers. … You might think God is not listening, but His Word says He is. John 15:7 reminds us, If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
My mother was from Oklahoma. She went to be with Jesus about three years ago. Check this out! My liver donor was from the same place! The faithfulness of God showed me she was still looking out for me as she talked with the Father. I don't know if that's true, but it sure brought lots of tears of joy to my heart. Insurance miracles, meals delivered, housecleaning, visits, and transportation for Al were just a few of the blessings He provided through the body of family and friends. There were so many people around the world and from our church (which might be you, too) who were praying for me. Thank you! God heard your prayers and saw all your acts of kindness toward Al and me.
I'm sharing this to encourage anyone waiting for God to answer his or her prayers. In the back of your mind, you might think God is not listening, but His Word says He is. John 15:7, ESV, reminds us, ‘If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.’
Before you ask, God has already taken care of your need. ‘For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.’ (Matthew 6:8a, NKJV). Now that's love! For you, it may not be for physical healing but a deep need or desire in your heart. Maybe you are waiting for that Godly mate, a child, or salvation for a friend or family member. No matter; God is faithful! Keep holding on, and do not grow weary!
I know His Word is true, and He will do what He says He will do! Whatever way God chooses to answer, He is faithful. The writer of Hebrews says to "hold fast" and acknowledge what He has promised. In Hebrews 10:23, it says to trust "without wavering" or “without swiveling" (like an office chair), because the One who made the promise is "trustworthy".
My prayer is that you are encouraged by my testimony of God's faithfulness. Each day is a new day, and I'm learning more and more of how to trust Him with all the contents of it.
I'll leave you with the following scriptures to meditate on as you seek our Father's face.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 91:15, NKJV
“The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, their tongues fail for thirst. I, the LORD, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.” Isaiah 41:17, NKJV
“Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ ” Isaiah 58:9a, NKJV
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Contact Norma Pittman at email: normap@cwccs.org
Visit Calvary Worship Center, Colorado Springs at cwccs.org
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