TIME TO TESTIFY (The Deaf Hear)

                                                               The Deaf Hear

   Despite being born as a very healthy baby boy, at some point in his childhood, Robby lost his hearing in both ears. Medical tests results proved irrepairable damage and total loss of hearing in the right ear but his left ear, although showed extensive damage, seemed less severe and possibly Robby, with the use of a hearing aid, would be able to hear in that single ear.
   Through the years, he was fitted with hearing aids, one in each ear, but doctors claimed Robby was not hearing actual sounds but was only feeling the vibrations of the sounds.
   I left my hometown to live in another state and at the time, Robby was very healthy. So I was caught off guard seven years later when I came home to visit and discovered, for the very first time, that he was deaf.
   And I will admit... it made me very uncomfortable. Not so much because he was deaf, but because I didn't know how to communicate with him. I talked to his dad, his dad's wife and Robby's younger brother but when it came to him, I was dumbfounded. At the time, Robby also didn't know how to communicate very well with other people except his "grunting" sounds. He was in the very early stages of learning sign language from the school for the deaf that he attended.
   After my visit, I went back to my home and never gave it another thought. I just went about "living my own life"
   Years went by, I gave my life to God and made the commitment to obey Him. God put it on my heart to go visit my dad, whom I hadn't seen in over 20 years. I was somewhat nervous because I basically "disowned" my family years ago and wasn't sure how the reception would be. But in 2005, I came to visit my dad and was surprised to see he was raising my nephew, Robby, who, by now, was 28 years old and very dependent on others. Robby's communication skills were better due to the sign language he learned and because another family, who took him in and raised him for a short period, taught him how to "talk" by reading lips watching himself in the mirror.
   But I was a little disturbed at the thought of my dad, who was 82 years old, taking care of Robby. So after my visit, I went back home and I prayed to God to use me so I could somehow help. That's when God made a way for me to move back to my hometown for the purpose of -- what I thought -- helping my dad with Robby.
   But two weeks after I was settled in, my dad became very sick and eight months later passed away, leaving me to care for Robby on my own.
   While caring for him, I admired his innocence, his humbleness, his simplicity and his compassion.  Everything God expects in all of us I saw in Robby. He had issues, major behavioral issues, but when I got to know him, he had such a big heart. I really saw Jesus in him and Robby helped me grow so much spiritually.
   After two years, caring for him I was pained by his misfortune. I wanted so badly for him to be able to hear what I heard. When I'd laugh at the cats hissing at each other, Robby had no idea what I was laughing about. He only knew by my facial expression that something was funny. When he asked, "What? What's so funny? Why are you laughing/" It almost brought tears to my eyes because I didn't know how to explain the hilarity of the cats hiss. He never heard this before and it deeply affected me.
   So I began to pray and I pleaded with God, "Lord, if You were to ever grant me a miracle, just one miracle, I'd want for You to give Robby his hearing back."
   You see, I have faith in God. Even before I gave my life to Him, he has performed medical miracles on me more than once. So I knew, especially now that I have a real faith in Him, that He could perform another miracle if it be His will. So I held onto faith, prayer and fasting. As the years passed, Robby slowly gained his hearing more and more in his left ear
   Just last year, we were able to get him a "cheap" but newer hearing aid and now sometimes he doesn't have to look at us and read our lips to know what we are saying. He really can hear. It's not 100% but it's more than none. He tells me he can hear the cats hiss, or the dogs growl/bark, or the birds chirping. He hears the traffic or people in the stores talking. He even calls on his cell phone and speaks to me or his other aunt using the spearker mode. He enjoys hearing what is said when he watches movies and, although the t.v. has closed caption, he is tickled when he hears little children getting into mischief.
   He loves Michael Jackson and is now able to hear the words to the songs and tries to sing along to his three favorites, "Earth Song" "Billy Jean", and, of course, "Thriller"
   Yes, God IS still performing miracles today!

Matthew 11:5-6   "the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. And tell him, "'God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.'"

Heavenly Father, I thank You so much for answering my plea for Robby to be able to hear again. You are a Faithful and Loving God. I praise Your Almighty and Powerful Name! You are worthy of all Glory and Honor. I owe You so much, Father but please let me start by being Your loyal and faithful servant. Whatever You need me to do, Father, for You I'll do. In Honor of You and for Your Glory please use me to be a blessing to others. In Jesus, Your Sacred Son's Holy Name, I pray. amen