In October 2023, my family was headed on a much-anticipated vacation. Right before the trip, I noticed a slight pain in my knee. It didn’t seem serious— just a small discomfort I assumed would pass. By December, that small pain had grown into a constant, overwhelming limp. Doctors told me it was just a cyst behind my knee. Physical therapy, painkillers, and treatments followed, but nothing brought relief. Being raised in a Christian home, I learned early that faith is not just for the easy seasons, but for the uncertain ones, too. When the pain stayed and the answers didn’t come, I still trusted God.

Travel for work increased, and walking became unbearable. I was persistently seeking answers, and more tests finally revealed the real issue: a mass on my spine. I was now using a walker, and life felt overwhelming—waiting for appointments, the 38 anxiety-filled doctor visits where we reviewed test results, and the financial uncertainty. It felt like it was all too much to carry. But in the middle of it, I prayed, “God, don’t let this be lost on me. Teach me through this.”

We are a family that has witnessed God’s faithfulness throughout our lives, and we knew, with certainty, that God would work this out for His glory and our good. When and how? We did not know, but He gave us peace in the waiting.

At my neurosurgeon appointment, he asked, “What’s your goal?” I told him I wanted to walk and celebrate my twin daughters’ 15th birthday trip. He smiled and said, “Then make your plans.” That moment felt like God was reminding me: I’m still writing your story. Those hopeful words calmed my restless heart. There were many “What-ifs” that ran through my mind, but in those restless moments and sleepless nights, I always found comfort in our church’s worship songs. The truth in the words helped me stay anchored in the storm.

During this time last year, our church was preparing for ABOVE + BEYOND Sunday, and our hearts were set on giving. But, with the uncertainty of facing large medical bills, the idea of giving began to weigh heavily on our minds.

ABOVE + BEYOND Sunday arrived, and I remember the traffic felt like Monday morning rush hour. We realized we would be late, but I told my husband, “Even if we’re late, I want to go to church today.” As we sat in traffic, I received a notification on MyChart that they had found a second mass—this time on my cervical spine. As tears began to flow, my husband quickly reassured the girls and me that God was still on the throne and He would see us through.

When we arrived at church, I was struggling with the pain and strain of using a walker. We were escorted to an area for wheelchairs and strollers, and I recall saying to God, “Please don’t let this be my story, but if it is, I will still praise You.”

When Pastor Louie said to kneel and pray, I pushed through the pain and knelt. It was my act of faith and surrender. We presented our giving envelope to the Lord, on which my husband wrote “healing for my wife.” Louie then gave a talk about giving what we have to a God who already owns the cattle on 1,000 hills. That our generosity isn’t about meeting a need God has or the amount you give. He already has it all. It’s about the heart of worship behind our giving, and realizing that He isn’t just asking us to trust Him with our money, but our whole lives. They then gave out tennis balls for us to write what we want to ask God to come through for in our lives. We wrote the word “HEALING”, and that tennis ball still sits in our home today as a reminder of God’s promises.

As September arrived, I was no longer able to use the walker; my legs had given out, and I found myself confined to a wheelchair. It was time for surgery, and right before my operation, I asked to pray for my surgeon’s hands. I don’t know if he was a believer, but in that moment, I wanted him and his team to know that I believed in a God of miracles, and for HEALING over my body.

“Mrs. Rodriguez, can you feel my touch? Please wiggle your toes!”

Those unforgettable words and the beautiful feeling of wiggling my toes after surgery are forever etched in my mind. A tumor was found wrapped around the nerves on my spine, and had been carefully removed without any complications, and praise God, it was benign! Recovery wasn’t easy and at times was painful, but God has restored my ability to walk, just in time for that birthday trip with my girls.

God has done exceedingly and abundantly more than we could have ever asked or imagined. Even in uncertainty, our faith never wavered, and now we can testify to His healing power and faithfulness over our lives. He honors our steps of faith and what we entrust to Him. I’m deeply grateful for healing, financial provision in an uncertain time, and most of all, for His unfailing promises.

As we walk into ABOVE + BEYOND 2025, we can confidently say God has answered our prayers.

—Susi