Thanks for sharing.

I so relate to that skeptical bit in my life, was the first scan correct?  Or is this really a miracle?  But in the end, I realize that either way it is still a gift from God.

I am praying for Judy and her family and friends

Four men who were close to us, our spiritual leaders who were also great prayer warriors, joined me in the ICU waiting room for late night prayer.  They didn’t pray for Mike to survive; they asked God for His will to be accomplished, for Mike to be at peace.  I was the one who prayed specifically for Mike to keep going a little longer. I didn’t want him to linger in pain, but I was just compelled to pray that prayer. After the men left, I went and talked to the nurses about Mike and about our faith and stopped back in Mike’s ICU room.  His heart rate and breathing had improved and when I told him that, he said “Oh, I just needed someone to tell me that.” And then he improved a little more.

To the doctors’ surprise, Mike made it through that night and lived another month.  It was an unspeakably horrible month in terms of Mike’s suffering. Holding on to Christ though, he was braver than anyone I’ve ever known. 

During that “gift” month, Mike had me invite in hospital staff, pastor and ministry leader freinds, Mike’s family and old friends, coworkers, gang kids, Sunday school and youth group kids–so they could get a little time with him, say the things they’d all wanted to say to each other and hear from Mike’s lips about the hope in Christ that he had, even there in bed, in pain and full of IVs.  During that last month, Mike and I also got to resolve some hurts that had lingered between us in our marriage.

I’ve seen God give a number of gravely ill people a reprieve time–months or even years.  That’s gift time for mothers to arrange things for the children they won’t get to see grow up; or husbands to make peace with their wives and their lives; or sick kids to comfort their parents. It’s a time for friends and family to get to say the “I love yous” that they’d choked on during healthier times.

I’m praying for Judy’s “gift” time.  May it last 40 years! And even if it doesn’t, may all of you who know and love her breathe in the rich fragrance of hope as you spend time with her. May you all see the gratitude, wisdom and peace that can come when a person knows that she is a recipient of grace in an amazing sort of way.

I’ll join you in prayer for Judy, whole-heartedly believing that He works in mysterious and awesome ways.  We have no idea what He’s up to.