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Tim Harrington's Testimony:The Roller Coaster Ride
Tim was a good student in school and when he set his mind to do something, he stuck with it until it was accomplished. He was always occupied. We didn't believe in idle hands and minds, for Satan could make use of them. Tim had music, a computer and other talents to keep him busy. However, he had a friend named Shaun whose parents let him run the Mall scene without supervision. Shaun wanted Tim to go with him to just "hang around" in the stores. I knew this was a prelude to trouble, and frowned on it. Shaun's persistence became an irritation to both Tim and me.
One night Tim dreamed he and Shaun were at the top of a roller coaster ride and it was about to start down the run. He looked over the edge and knew it was going to crash so he got off. Shaun stayed on for the ride. The dream ended.
Recognizing the counsel as being from the Lord, he broke up with Shaun and didn't hear anything of him for about 15 years. Last year Tim got a year book with the names of all the graduates of Olathe North from the beginning. Shaun's name was there and his present status: deceased! He crashed. . .Tim probably would have been with him.
A parent never knows when their child is in danger when they are away from home, unless the Spirit alerts them. God forewarned Tim. He was wise enough to listen. God honors the prayers over our children. A word to the wise is sufficient.
A Bad Tummy Ache
When Tim was about 8 years old, one night he awoke with abdominal pain which grew steadily worse as the minutes passed. We were preparing to head for the emergency room. Tim was not a complainer, and we could see this one was serious. Appendicitis? We phoned a minister in our church who lived next door and asked him to come over—"Don’t bother to dress, just slip on a robe," we said. In just a few minutes Bill stood at the door, suit and tie. That told me just how important he counted his ministry for God. I was impressed. Apparently so was the Lord.
Tim's father and I stood beside the bed as Bill anointed Tim’s head and prayed for him. The pain stopped immediately and Bill left. Maybe all told—30 minutes. The next morning Tim asked, “Mom, how does Jesus do that? ” He knew how bad that pain had been and how quickly it had stopped. He knew Jesus heard and answered that prayer.