“So, He stood over her and rebuked the fever and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them” (Luke 5:39).

The guests were expected to arrive around two o’clock—my nephews and nieces from Chicago and out of state, along with my brother and some friends. I had been eagerly looking forward to the day. However, in the early morning, I began feeling very ill, experiencing nausea, vomiting, and a swollen, painful throat. By 9 a.m., I started to feel a bit better, but I still texted my niece to let her know that, unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to host them due to my illness.I felt sorry but I knew it was the best choice, a wise decision given how I was feeling.

As I began my devotional time and read through Luke chapter 4, my eyes paused at verses 38 and 39—Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. No other name, no further description, only that she suffered from severe fevers. Jesus, who had just recently begun His public ministry, was a guest in Peter’s home. In His compassion, He rebuked the fevers, and she was healed—restored to health and wholeness.

The next detail, found in three of the four Gospels, caught my attention during my prayer: “She arose and served them” (Matt. 8:14-15; Mark 1:31). Lord, I prayed, wouldn’t it be amazing if You would rebuke this infection—whether viral or bacterial—restore my health, and heal me so I can serve the guests I am meant to welcome later today?

Lord Jesus, I believe that just as You healed Peter’s mother-in-law, You can heal me too. I trust every word in the Bible, especially verses 38 and 39. I know this passage was placed here intentionally, crafted for us so that generation after generation would find in these stories a guide for learning, restoration, salvation, healing, and lasting hope (Romans 15:4). Please heal me, so I may serve You faithfully. Starting with my kitchen later..

Several hours passed, but around noon, the Lord impressed a message upon my heart: You need antibiotics. At first, I resisted. Like many mothers seeking natural remedies, I turned to herbal teas, homemade concoctions, and syrups. I always begin there because I trust their healing power and often avoid stronger medications. I wanted to be certain this prompting wasn’t just my own voice—my makeshift solution or nurse’s instinct. Time went on.

But I remembered my prayers. The Lord didn’t heal me instantly like He did Peter’s mother-in-law. Instead, He gently reminded me about taking the antibiotic. I could recall many moments in the Bible where He spoke a word, stretched out His hand, and sickness vanished; yet I also remembered times when He sent people to wash in the river (2 Kings 5) or instructed them to use a simple food-based poultice for healing (2 Kings 20:7, Jeremiah 8:22). I understood that His ways varied.

After starting the antibiotics, I felt much better within an hour. I knew that nothing would have worked without His blessing over the medicine and my recovery. Although I didn’t write back to my niece telling her I felt better, she later messaged me, asking if they could still come by just to see me briefly. I said yes. Please come.

Three hours later, as my family gathered around a table filled with delicious Romanian food, laughing and enjoying each other’s company—seven of them, along with my five children—I stood in the kitchen, watching them with a smile. I could have not pictured this in the early hours of that day. I had been healed and was ready to serve. Only God knew my story, and I couldn’t hold back the gratitude and joy I felt seeing them all together.

My hospitality that day was a testament to God’s power to work miracles; our entire lives are a reflection of His omnipotence. Trust His ways without question. Pray earnestly for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing and restoration. When He restores you, when He heals you, when He transforms your spouse and rescues your child from hardship, begin a new chapter—one of active service to the Lord and compassionate care for others. Healing should not merely be a welcomed relief but the beginning of dedicated service. Do not return to your old place of weakness or remain comfortable in apathy and inactivity. Do not go back to your mat or sick bed. Recognize the miracle Christ has performed in your life and start serving—immediately.

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me”.  (John 15:4)