The Power of Prayer

I just came from Heather's blog and reading her updates since they arrived at Mayo! Each time I read a post that Heather has written - sharing her life with us - I am so touched by her faith and her strength! She is such an amazing woman! God is good and I believe that He has gone before Heather and is leading, not only her, but the doctors as they decide the best treatment for her. If you've read her posts today you saw the items she found in the gift shop, which I believe to be further confirmation of God going before her as she embarks on this - unwanted and undeserved - journey!

I pray that if ever - God forbid - I should find myself or a loved one in such a fight, I will be able to praise God and know that He will lead me through whatever comes!

I spoke to a friend of mine yesterday afternoon. A friend that I have known for about ten years. D is a woman of the same character, strength and faithfulness that Heather has within her! D has been fighting for her life over about the past six years - battling breast cancer! D is also a mother to children who are still in school and is also a primary caregiver to her own mother who suffers from several debilitating illnesses!

D has been through so much - surgery to remove the first lump found, chemo, radiation, and surgery to remove her breast when the cancer returned. She went through more chemo and then another surgery - a hysterectomy to stop the estrogen from feeding the cancer! Still more chemo! D now has a problem - a serious problem - in her liver, which was directly caused by the treatment she received for the cancer!

Throughout these years she has remained positive and loving and kind - all the while suffering the side effects from the treatments! She is so inspiring - as a woman, as a wife, mother and friend! Her life is a testament to the power of our Lord and the peace that fills her because of her faith! I am proud to call her my friend and thankful that she calls me friend, as well!

When I talked to D yesterday she was telling me about the liver problem and how the doctor is completely surprised that her condition is improving! Evidently this type of liver problem doesn't improve, only worsens until the patient succumbs to the illness! D explained to the doctor that God is all around her and she has hundreds of people praying for her on a regular basis! The doctor can find no other explanation for the improvement in her health!

What blessings He gives us - even when it seems there's no hope! That's the power of a true relationship with our Lord! Even though He may not answer our prayers in the way we would have liked - our prayers are answered and our lives made better through the comfort and peace found only through Him!

I am thankful that I have a relationship with God! I'm thankful that I have the promise of salvation and an eternity in Heaven. I'm thankful for that promise that I will be together again with loved ones who have gone on before me! What an amazing reward after a life on earth that is not perfect! I can't imagine a life without those promises or a life without God!