Dec 10
His Providence
by Patti Palmer

God’s providence is a theme that is prominent in Scripture as well as in my life. I bear in my neck evidence of God’s grace and provision. At the age of 10 months old, God intervened on my behalf. As His covenant child, it was Almighty God’s awesome work through the hands of doctors and nurses that spared my life. Long before the dawn of fiber optics, God used a Christian throat surgeon to remove a benign mass from the bottom of my vocal chords; it was blocking 75 percent of the opening to my windpipe. I was dying. Even after surgery, I nearly died. But God, in His providence, had other plans for me.

My life started in 1959. In February of 1960, I had the mass removed and nearly died post-op. When the surgeon removed the mass, he told my parents I wouldn’t likely have a normal female voice. I’ve been talking, singing and praising God ever since they took out the breathing tube around my first birthday. 

Because my loving Christian parents (Al & Fran Steenwyk) always told me the account of my early life, I went into the medical field. After graduating from Wheaton College in 1981, I served as an Army optometrist for 21 years. The day I received my commission in the Army, I married Mark Palmer, who has been my wonderful husband for over 28 years. God has taken us all over the world; now we are enjoying the many opportunities offered to us here in Huntsville, Alabama. Even in combat in Desert Storm, I knew God was with me. Surely there are many valleys through which we have gone and continue to go in life. My health is causing me much difficulty. But, through it all, God makes clear that His sovereign will is best.

Once I retired in 2007, I had time to sing with the Living Christmas Tree as a guest singer. The songs we sing, the people I meet, and the joy we have in sharing the Gospel at Christmas is amazing.

Perhaps you are going through times that you wonder if God hears your prayers. Maybe you are giving up hope. Be encouraged. If you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, God has a wonderful future for you.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13