This labor day weekend is the 14 year mark of my mother's passing due to Breast Cancer, she was 38 years young when she passed. She was a beautiful woman. I wish I could tell you all of the great memories that I have of my childhood, of time spent with this amazing woman - but I cannot. The words do not often come to me, the feelings have been buried deep within me, and more often than not - my grief still overrides my ability to think and remember her clearly. This year, however, has been an eye opening one - one in which I have been blessed with clear visions of my mother, my past, and my childhood. Almost as though the Lord has been speaking to me this year, just telling me that it's okay...and that it's time to let go of the grief and the hurt that for years I have buried deep down inside me. His Word has surely comforted me, it has provided comfort for all of our troubles. God does not fail us, he does not question us, and he always answers our prayers. Though it may not be the answer we want - there is always an answer...no matter what our days hold.
The promise of eternal life comes straight from God. Those who receive Jesus into their hearts do not end their existence when they stop breathing. Their last breath on earth, rather, is merely a precursor of life in eternity with Jesus. So, why is it that when someone close to us passes away that we grieve, we mourn, and we suffer? Maybe it's because many of us don't know or understand how to do so properly. I know that not just with my mother's passing - but in the other 30+ close persons who have passed in my life (yes, this number is larger than my age), I haven't quite recovered from my grief, but instead I've learned to manage and cope. Lately, it is becoming apparent to me that I need to let go of these feelings of grief - I need to not dwell on those who are no longer on this earth, but rather focus on the relationships of those who are still breathing the air of this world.
"Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (NIV).
"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you." Matthew 5:4 (The Message). This leads me to my thoughts on receiving THE BEST ANSWER from the Lord. Many of us sit here waiting for something to happen, praying and thinking that it's just not getting through...I too am guilty of this. I thought on many things over the last few years that I just hadn't gotten an answer to my prayers. Knowing fully that there is no time limit on speaking to God about my needs, but what I expected was an immediate response. Why? I'm not sure. I have understood now, that we work on a different time
table that God does, we sit here wanting an answer on these things - yesterday - while He has something completely different in store for us - tomorrow.
Faith has been described as “trusting God’s heart and trusting God’s power.” Some prayers that seem to go unanswered are simply instances in which God has lovingly overruled our wishes. He knows that what we have asked for is not best. Or it may be that our timing is not His timing, or He has some far greater purpose in mind. Let us remember, even Jesus prayed to His heavenly Father, “Nevertheless not My will, but Yours.” Luke 22:42.
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It is from this, that I ask you all to pray with me...and pray without ceasing; for my dear friend Jessica Snead. Jessica has been battling PNETs cancer since a very large tumor was discovered in her stomach on May 7, 2008. She has had surgery, and months of chemo but neither were successful. PNETs is very rare, very aggressive and as far as medicine is concerned, there is no cure. Jessica's life is in the hands of her Creator....
Jessica had a major operation on May 13, 2008 to remove the mass, but it was not successful. The mass was too entwined with other vital organs. However, stopping the removal was a critical and important decision so that other attempts at minimizing the tumor could be used. The cancer has destroyed one of her kidneys, but the other one is in good shape. There may also be some damage to other organs. The day before the operation an "emobilization" was done which cut off the supply of blood to the tumor, which we had hoped would also shrink the tumor, but it doesn't appear that has happened significantly. Jessica had been on an intense chemotherapy plan involving 5 straight days of treatment and three weeks later a 1 day treatment of a different drug, then back to the 5 day, etc. It was brutal on her at times, but she kept on persevering and fighting her way back to "normal". She is so amazing through all of this. She is more brave and courageous than she realizes! Although the tumor is not shrinking and there is cancer in her lymph nodes and blood.
Just recently, Jessica's report came back that the cancer spread, some has died, some vanished in places. We still fight. Cancer fights. As Jessica goes into the next week with the targeted therapy working, we ask you God, to help everything work together for good. Cancer loses, dies, Jessica regains strength and health through the power of your Spirit. Not by might, not by power, but by your Spirit, Lord.
Since the beginning Jessica has remained strong in her convictions to put all her hope and faith in Christ Jesus, her Lord. He has never left her and will never forsake her.
I believe for every drop of rain that falls something beautiful truly grows...please pray for Jessica, for her husband Cory, and for her family and friends during these trying times.
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. James 5:15 (NIV).
♥ Love Always ♥
Aimee Lynn
