It’s easy to preach and teach the Bible. It’s easy to tell people to trust God’s provision, sovereignty and goodness. It’s easy to point people to a deeper relationship w/the Lord and instruct them to trust God with current circumstances in order to strengthen their faith. I admit that I’ve found it easier to preach this than to live it.
In January, Jessica went in for her regular yearly physical. A couple of weeks later, an abnormality was revealed in her pap smear. Her doctor was not concerned and didn’t think that we had reason to be concerned either. She did go back a couple of times for additional samples to be sent off as a part of the normal cautious process. I assumed the doctor was correct and really didn’t think too much of the whole thing.
Fast forward to this week…. It was spent preparing to preach on Acts 3 & 4 on the “walking” testimony that couldn’t be denied. This was on a lame beggar being healed and his story before the political leaders, religious leaders, and many other Jews. Mostly I wanted to get the sermon done so I could enjoy Jessica’s 31st birthday on Thursday. Thursday came and right before leaving work early to celebrate Jessica received a call from her doctor. She asked her to come in ASAP. Jessica arrived and was told even to her doctors surprise that she has cancer.
I was absolutely shocked! Uncertainty and fear set in and began to overwhelm. My world was raddled as we prayed and tried to process. My first thought was to contact some fellow staff and close friends to pray with me/us. It took a while to even gather the strength to reach out to my church family and family. Eventually I did and was prayed for many times.
Jessica shared with me that she was not at all shocked or taken by surprise. She’d spent time with Jesus and felt that the doctor’s report might ultimately reveal cancer. In those quiet times she was assured that God was in control and she was going to have to walk this for His glory. She knows that the Holy Spirit is going to walk this out with her. She had/has a real peace that only comes from knowing, walking, and trusting her Lord. I’m catching up! She’s certain not only that God is with her through this process but also that its end is to strengthen our faith and trust. We believe that this process will strengthen our faith as a family and our faith collectively as a church family at CrossWay.
Where are we now?
We are followers of Jesus so we’ve walked through the process described in James 5 for those with medical needs. We’ve contacted our pastors/elders for prayer and anointing with oil. Side note: the anointing with oil is reconditioned that it’s not the pastors that heal but the Holy Spirit. Throughout the Bible anoint oil is used as a symbol for the Holy Spirit. They’ve been faithful friends to us both. We’re grateful for their love and support.
Today (Sunday) we shared our story with the entire church family. Again we are thankful for their overwhelming love, support, and prayer. They laid hands on Jessica and prayed faithfully over her, after I had the privilege of humbly preaching through Acts 3 & 4. God’s timing was perfect as we studied the man that was healed and had a story to tell that was undeniable and that was a tool for sharing the gospel and advancing the kingdom.
What’s next?
Tomorrow (Monday) we will meet with the oncologist who will walk us through the next steps. Jessica’s doctor has informed us that she will likely need to have a hysterectomy in the next two weeks. At this point, that’s all we know. We’ve committed to keeping you updated through the process.
How can you pray for us?
Please pray for:
Strengthening of our faith and CrossWay’s
Healing (completely cancer free)
Her story of faith and God’s provision would be shared
Recovery process
Continual peace
Process of sharing with Layne…….We have not shared anything yet, so prayers for what she needs to know/what she doesn’t need to know/and the exact words to tell her
Wisdom and effectiveness of the doctors and surgeon
Glory to Jesus!
Jessica & I are thankful for your prayers and support as we walk out the process. We are confident that the Holy Spirit is leading us through!
No comments:
Post a Comment