What Do You Do When Life Presents an Upsetting Surprise?

I take my daily FB postings very seriously. Throughout the day I pay attention to people, places and things that could potentially be the inspiration for me. As I was driving home from Austin after two weeks away, I was thinking about my post for today. I was thinking that maybe I should write a finale to my “chasing gangster chickens” experiences or maybe it should be about the “need to recoup from the chicken coop”. The inspiration could have come from my drive home and the 45-minute traffic hold-up on I-35 North with the subject matter being about “patience”!

But, the inspiration came when a text message came in from a dear friend: “I am texting you because we need serious prayer warriors. We just got some very bad news about my brother. The doctor just told them he has a large mass in his colon and liver and it looks like there are other spots throughout his abdomen. We need a miracle touch from God and I know that I can count on you for some serious prayer. Thank you so much.”

I loved my friend’s resolve – she knew what to do – call in prayer partners and prayer warriors. I prayed and then I remembered a similar message that our family received years ago.

We had just received a telephone call with the diagnosis from my husband’s doctor: “You have Stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma that has metastasized to a tumor that is impinging on your spinal cord. It’s a life or death matter. You must have immediate surgery or you could be paralyzed.” Ron, my husband, being an in-charge guy, and not moved by anxiety or concern, declined the offer for the surgery. He wanted to research what he’d been told, get a second opinion, seek counsel and take his time. But the doctor was insistent on aggressively moving forward. So what do you do when you don’t know what to do? The answer is: PRAY. We prayed for God’s wisdom, His strength, His guidance, and most of all, His peace.

At the same time, we were speaking words from God's Word: "Our God, our Healer. He is our Prince of Peace. By His stripes, we are healed. We trust in you, Father God. We will not be afraid.” Then, we sought counsel from our children via a family phone-call meeting. We prayed for discernment for the course of action we should take. Then, each of us expressed our confidence in God as the Great Physician. It was apparent that we shouldn’t wait as we had been instructed by the doctor. Ron said, “Okay, let’s do it! Call the doctor!” We did and within the next 48 hours, he had a successful surgery.

Over the next 7 months, when the questions came again, we repeated the same steps: Pray, speak God’s Word, seek Godly counsel, pray some more. We found that we were closer to God during this time of crisis because we were acutely aware of our desperate need for Him. And quite frankly, that’s a great place to be. In Him, we found the answers to our questions and peace in our hearts because we sensed His presence with us.

The answer to this question and many more: “What do you do when life gives you an upsetting surprise?” or “Where can I turn when there's no one else I can turn to?” or “Who can I lean on when there’s no one to lean on?” or “Where can I hide until the storms pass over?”….. The answer to all of these questions is found in ONE SIMPLE TRUTH. We go to Him who is our solid rock, our refuge, our shelter, our friend. That’s WHO, WHAT, WHEN and WHERE to ALL questions we have for our today and our tomorrows. “God is our VERY PRESENT HELP in trouble and in time of need.” Psalm 46:1.

These Two Gals With Me From the Start

Day 354 of Photo Inspirations -- These Two Gals With Me From the Start
Yesterday Mom (my mom-in-law) and Karen (my sis-in-law) had our little gift exchange before I head to Texas today.  These two gals are so dear to me. We've been together since the very beginning of the courtship of my sweetheart and I.  Mom was always for me.  She and my Mom were in cahoots as they prayed and conspired to help these two kids see the light about our "match made in heaven and on earth".

And, Karen, four years younger than her brother, would sit at our booth when we went to Kip's Big Boy Restaurant after Sunday night church.  Karen would snicker when she'd look under the table and see Ronnie and I holding hands.  

God blessed me with these precious women, who are not only my Mom and Sister (forget that whole "in law" thing), but have been my prayer partners, confidants, encouragers, loving caregivers, and dear friends for 54+ years. They've stood with me during the best of times and the worst of times. When I think of God's blessings....they are right up there at the top.

We were almost rolling from laughter when we were using my selfie stick to get the photo of the three of us.  Mom said, "I just love using that 'mirror'.  We've come a long way in photo technology since the start of our relationship.

For many years, one of my Christmas gifts to Mom is the "Photo Calendar" that I make for her.  I love to be "in the moment" in taking photos throughout the year for the main purpose of putting together her calendar.

Mom loved looking at each page of photos -- some that I pulled from the archives -- like the one of all Mom's grandkids and great grandkids playing her organ, as well as the one of Alexia and Madison in their princess dresses and Payton laughing hysterically at them.   Mom keeps the calendar in a prominent spot in her kitchen.

Before the two gals were ready to head home, we did what we've always done best together.....we prayed earnestly for each other, our families and friends, and for our country.  It was prayer that bound us together years ago and prayer that continues to bind us together today.

And those prayers have stood the test of time......we've seen so many answers to prayer, some of which weren't answered the way we wanted, but the answers came the way God wanted.  Father ALWAYS knows best.  

We'll continue to pray because, of all the uncertainties in this world, there is a CERTAINTY that is unfailing.....God HEARS and ANSWERS our prayers.

I'm so grateful that this beautiful time of the year gives us plenty of opportunities to be thankful for those things that matter most.....those things that money can't buy.....those things that we'll take to eternity with us.  

"For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,  I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers."  Ephesians 1:15