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March’s Miracles

April 1, 2026 By D'Ann Mateer 16 Comments

This is not an April Fool’s Day post. 

This is a recounting of some of the miracles God did on our behalf in March. 

As you know, my father, who is 88, underwent a quad bypass and a valve replacement on March 16. He also ended up having a pacemaker put in on March 18. It was rough. On Friday, after the initial surgery on Monday, he was out of it, not doing well at all. And they were talking about sending him home, not even to rehab! Let me tell you—we all panicked! But we prayed, and we all agreed to push back and at least get them to keep him in the hospital until Monday! 

Mom, me, my brother and sisters after Dad’s surgery.

Saturday, he seemed perkier. He walked more. Talked more. Even watched a little bit of college basketball. 

Then guess what? When my sister arrived early that Sunday morning, he was waiting for her, telling her he was ready to go home. He was clear-headed and moving pretty well—enough for him to have figured out that if he couldn’t find the call button, he could just try to get out of bed, thus setting off an alarm and bringing a nurse running! Yep, he’s like that! Anyway, he begged, the doctor said he didn’t have any reason to keep him. He cried when he found out he could leave the hospital. But suddenly, we were scrambling to get everything ready at home. Thankfully, my youngest sister was able to change her plane ticket and stay two extra days. So that was our first miracle—the turnaround and homecoming.

Dad’s doctor did spring new info on us that Friday before he went home. He said someone would need to be with him 24/7 for 2 weeks because they’d found the fall risk was high in that time period. We panicked, trying to find some in-home care for him before our sister left. We all knew my mom wouldn’t be able to do it. And we couldn’t handle 24/7 care, either. One agency never called us back after we left a message. A couple of others, we had reservations about. Then I thought of my neighborhood Facebook group. We have a very close-knit neighborhood, and I knew I would trust their recommendations. But the Lord had something in store we never imagined—one of our neighbors owns a home health company! Not only that, it is one with a faith component. Through my neighbor, we were able to get nighttime care set up for the day my sister went back home! It was absolutely the Holy Spirit that led me to post our need to our neighbors.

Meanwhile, some long-time friends of ours told us their daughter and son-in-law were also starting a home health business. In fact, their company launched the Monday after Dad came home! A former army medic and new dad, Todd immediately bonded with my dad. Not only did Todd help with Dad’s care during the day, but he also helped my mom, who is dealing with back and ankle issues, by doing laundry, doing the dishes, and doing household chores they can’t do well or easily. Bonus? He lives around the corner from them! That kind of perfect timing and location can only be a gift from the Lord—both for Todd and his wife and for us! We will continue having him help them out a bit here and there with household chores now that Dad doesn’t need a personal caregiver anymore. 

Which brings me to the final miracle—and best of all. Y’all—we thought we’d need to keep night care in place for at least two weeks after coming home from the hospital. But Monday, when we had to take him to the doctor for a follow-up, he was walking through the house without a walker! So we canceled the night people. Todd will remain in a scaled-back capacity because he is such a help with things that my sister and I don’t have time to go over and do as often as needed. 

Dad enjoying the sunshine.

So Dad is on his way to running circles around all of us, only two weeks out from open-heart surgery! 

So many, many things have happened during this entire journey that only God could orchestrate, and each situation has reminded us that no matter what, we are always in His hands. 

How have you seen the hand of God in your life lately? 

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D'Ann Mateer

Inspired by novelist Eugenia Price, D’Ann’s dream of writing historical fiction with an element of faith began in middle school, though her serious drive toward publication took a bit longer. D’Ann is the author of four historical novels and one novella, as well as a contemporary short stories in a compilation volume. D’Ann and her husband of 30 years can be found in Austin, TX when they aren’t touring historic sites or visiting their grown children.

Latest posts by D'Ann Mateer (see all)

  • A Savannah Surprise - April 15, 2026
  • March’s Miracles - April 1, 2026
  • Unexpected Blessing - March 18, 2026
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Filed Under: Faith, Family Tagged With: Dad, miracles, open heart surgery

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Comments

  1. Tamera Alexander says

    April 1, 2026 at 5:02 am

    What an encouraging post, D’Ann! I’m praising God with you for all he’s done—and all he’s yet to do—for your dad and your family. His love and compassion know no depths!

    Reply
    • D'Ann Mateer says

      April 1, 2026 at 8:12 am

      Thanks, Tammy! Dad is an amazing man with amazing faith and is not shy about telling anyone about the Lord, so I guess there are a few more people that need to hear!

      Reply
  2. Bridget says

    April 1, 2026 at 5:13 am

    Oh I love this. Thank you for sharing this incredible story. The goodness of God abounds! 🙌🏻

    Reply
    • D'Ann Mateer says

      April 1, 2026 at 8:13 am

      Amen! I’m amazed at what God has done, for this result certainly isn’t typical!

      Reply
  3. Joy says

    April 1, 2026 at 5:52 am

    What amazing news! God is so so good!

    Reply
    • D'Ann Mateer says

      April 1, 2026 at 8:13 am

      Yes! Thank you for rejoicing with me!

      Reply
  4. Amy M. says

    April 1, 2026 at 6:58 am

    Praising the Lord with you and your family over the miracles He’s performed for your dad. Have been praying for him and will continue to do so as he recovers and THRIVES!! 🙂

    Reply
    • D'Ann Mateer says

      April 1, 2026 at 8:14 am

      Thanks so much, Amy! We have felt all those prayers in these past few weeks!

      Reply
  5. Deena Adams says

    April 1, 2026 at 7:16 am

    Praise the Lord for His wonderful and amazing miracles in your family! Thanks so much for sharing this uplifting news.

    Reply
    • D'Ann Mateer says

      April 1, 2026 at 8:15 am

      Isn’t it great to hear good news every now and again? So glad I get to share it!

      Reply
  6. Martha T Robinson says

    April 1, 2026 at 7:53 am

    Thank you for sharing your story. Very inspiring! Praying your father continues to improve!

    Reply
    • D'Ann Mateer says

      April 1, 2026 at 8:17 am

      Thank you! His faith and his gumption are certainly an inspiration in our family!

      Reply
  7. Becky Wade says

    April 1, 2026 at 10:06 am

    Loved hearing about God’s faithfulness through your dad’s surgery! Grateful he’s recuperating well. 🙂

    Reply
    • D'Ann Mateer says

      April 1, 2026 at 2:42 pm

      Thanks! We are in awe!

      Reply
  8. Grace Smith says

    April 1, 2026 at 3:04 pm

    I absolutely love how God answers prayer, even including some surprises along the way! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • D'Ann Mateer says

      April 2, 2026 at 10:39 am

      You are welcome! It’s always good to declare what God has done!

      Reply

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