Columns In The Tennessean

Give them a germ.

Follow up:

Last week a stranger emailed a note introducing us to a natural, homeopathic supplement that works at the cellular level to supercharge the mitochondria - the "power plant" in each cell of our bodies - and stimulate cells to perform the tasks God intended. She said she is using the supplement with a friend diagnosed with ALS and having great results. She was not trying to sell us this product and has nothing to gain by telling us about it.

Since Marcy’s diagnosis 8 years ago this month, we have tried some crazy things. Traditional western medicine gave us no hope. Before we went to Jesus, we tried lots of alternative medicines.

I think my vote for the craziest thing was bee sting therapy. There are people who catch honeybees, harvest their venom, and package it in vials. The patient injects a small amount of the venom subcutaneously in the back of the neck and it supposedly stimulates the nervous system into fighting the venom and all other ill effects in the body.

For Marcy, it just gave her bee stings on the back of the neck.

But something about this stranger’s email touched something in Marcy. She prayed about it and the Holy Spirit told her to do this. But as a nontraditional, homeopathic treatment, it is not covered by insurance. And it is not cheap.

Marcy has had bad reactions to some medicines, including congestion, rashes, heart racing, and breathing problems. Even if we had the money, I was reluctant to spend a lot to have Marcy start foaming at the mouth - or worse.

We reached out in faith in God’s word and ordered a $200 test dose. I had to go to the bank to wire the money for the test dose.

When I got home from the bank, I brought in the mail. On top was a card from a name I didn’t recognize.

Before opening it, I held it up to Marcy and asked if she had just prayed for $200. She blinked “Yes.” If you are a believer, I don’t have to tell you the rest: Inside the envelope was the sweetest note from a woman named Cara thanking us for sharing God’s works in our lives. And a check for $200.

Marcy did not have a bad reaction to the test dose and it may have even helped a little. We’ve been trying to find a way to fund buying more medicine.

When we mentioned it to our friend LaSandra, she gave us a germ of an idea, “If everyone you knew just sent $5, you’d have enough.” So many people help us so much now, it’s hard to ask for more, but maybe there is a way.

We’re asking for $5. And with this treatment I picture Marcy physically reaching her hand up to give God the glory and God giving her a “high 5” as if her faith has just scored a touchdown. (Or a touch up?)

So I made a web page at EveryDayIsPrecious.com/High5 that allows people to quickly and easily donate $5 online. We are asking everyone we know to send this page to the people they know and asking them to donate $5 and send it on to the people they know.

We’re praying that our request has a viral effect that spreads to enough people to fund the treatment.

If you know someone in need, follow the still, small voice inside you and talk with them. You may just give them a germ that starts the virus that leads to God’s healing.