Beside me now is a stack of cards, letters and notes that
I've received during the last two months -- measuring almost
2 inches high (yes, I took out my ruler and measured!). Nearly
2 inches of goodwill, positive thoughts, and prayers sitting
right here in this room inspiring me and supporting me.
What impresses me the most is not that the stack isn't larger
(one only has so many friends and family members), but that there
is one at all . . . the outpouring of love it represents overwhelms
me. To me each one is a person whose unique style picked out
that card and wrote that note . . . each one with a different
prayer as the envelope was sealed, each one with a special hope
of recovery directed right at me!
Last week someone asked me how I've been praying concerning
the recent health issue that I'm facing. "Do you pray for
healing?" She asked after I had shared my challenges with
her. This woman's own sister had died of breast cancer several
decades ago.
"No," I shook my head, "From the start I've
prayed for wisdom. I already know that it is God's will that
I be healed; I don't feel I need to pray and beg for healing.
However, I am convinced that the God of the universe, the God
I know, has already made available the knowledge I need to overcome
this thing. It's out there. He knows how my body works better
than I do, better than anyone else does. He knows what went wrong;
He knows what will correct the problem. And as I've continued
in prayer, releasing fear, and seeking His wisdom, I've found
that the answers come day by day."
I explained that, for me, there has been no sitting around
waiting for a lightening bolt from heaven to quickly change everything.
How can God heal me if I am not open and ready to receive His
answers for healing? And, I continued, those answers can come
from anywhere . . . from the medical field, from within myself,
from sources I've never heard of. How important it has been for
me to listen carefully to all of the options of recovery and
seek wisdom in what is best for me. She seemed content with the
fact that, from the start, I've intended to play an active role
in the healing process.
Someone else asked me this week, "What is the most powerful
healing tool we have on earth?" Of course, I didn't hesitate
in my reply, "The spirit/mind connection." With a strong
mind and a sound spirit, both gifts from God, I've been able
to utilize the Word of God, to unlock the power of fruits and
vegetables that He has provided and to rest soundly in the ultimate
support He offers -- my family and friends.
You know what really throws me off balance, thrilling me to
no end? Throughout the last few months, as the pile of love letters
has grown -- the tumor has shrunk. There is no doubt in my mind
that I am profoundly blessed to be surrounded and covered in
prayer by many and to have an awesomely strong husband.
In a strange way, what started out several weeks ago as one
of the most devastating journeys of my life is slowly
turning into a path of discovery that is not as unappealing as
I would have imagined. Where there is God, there is hope and
when there is hope, I am able to do all things to the glory of
God. I am looking forward to making this journey a vibrant part
of my life story.
Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to share their knowledge,
wisdom and hope with me—I’m sure you know how much
I appreciate it.
But most of all, thanks be to God, who has granted the love
and support of others and the knowledge to know what is best
for me. There is an immense amount of knowledge out there for
me -- God has made sure of that! With each small step of information
that I gain, or each tiny decision I make for my health and my
life, I feel more and more peaceful, more and more sure about
the direction I take, and so utterly empowered to move forward.
Resting in His wisdom,
Julie