Lynn Finds God’s Faithfulness Despite MS

I was diagnosed with MS in the summer of 1985, although I had experienced some daunting symptoms in the years previous. My balance proved to be faltering during a Frances Schaeffer Christian School Conference in the early eighties. And when we were asked to bow our heads and pray, I commenced to fall.

 

During that summer, in 1985, my legs started to feel like they had weights tied around them as I would ascend my three flights of stairs in our home in Placentia, CA.

 

My husband and I were called to minister at Forest Home Family Camp that summer. He would be the camp doctor and I would do the special music. At this point, my symptoms had subsided slightly, but the neurologist still gave me a tentative diagnosis of MS. Aside from memory block a few times that week, I was feeling quite well.

 

One afternoon I climbed up my favorite rock to pray, but midway through the prayer I fell asleep. In my dream I was in a wheelchair, singing, with my hands raised in praise to God. When I awoke, I was at first troubled that I was in a wheelchair, then dumbfounded that I could be singing praises to God!

 

Before long I was enveloped in a deep peace of mind as I felt God’s presence saying, “In whatever condition you are, I will use you.”

 

Those words would prove to be extremely comforting in the years to come.

 

Twenty- three years later, I am in a wheelchair most of the time and I have found that Christ’s strength is sufficient to see me through any situation He has challenged me with. (II Cor. 12:9). I co-produced one CD and performed on another. I was asked to be the special music and speaker for CASA Senior Conference in Murrieta Springs the fall of 2004 and I now co-lead worship for our church’s Tuesday Morning Bible Study.

 

In our Psalms of Ascent study, we have learned that to be “up” is “down.” I Peter 5:6 relates that if we humble ourselves before God He will lift us up in due time. Yes, it troubles some pastors and music ministers that I can’t “stand” and sing. Somehow, they are worried that I won’t have enough breath support. Ironically, the voice has never been stronger.

 

I have fallen more in love with my Savior than I ever thought possible because He has proved so very faithful. My prayer is that more and more churches will realize that possibly the least desirable-looking servant can minister the greatest. Doesn’t God use the foolish to confound the wise?

 

Our Tuesday morning worship team often sings a beautiful praise song by Lenny LeBlanc and Greg Gulley entitled “No Higher Calling.” It is my prayer song: “Down at Your feet, O Lord, is the most high place; In Your presence, Lord, we seek Your face. There is no higher calling, no greater honor than to bow and kneel before Your throne. I’m amazed at Your glory, embraced by Your mercy. O Lord, I live to worship You.”

 

Lynn has had MS for 23 years, but still sings and leads worship at her church in Fullerton, CA. With the help of a supportive husband and physical trainer, she manages to keep up a large home and even, tend to 4 grandkids and even ride horseback from time to time. Truly, God is very faithful.