{My Friends} The husband, a now finely molded, gentle giant who has learned the art of Christian lovingness through the testimony of his wife. He now faces the daily challenges and exhaustion of caring for his very weakened mate, while maintaining a job and the small church that he shepherds. The wife, a tiny, soft-spoken lamb who has shown the strength of Samson, not just with her cancer, but with many things in their life. She is the Titus woman and has never strayed from that role, even now in her suffering.

We have conceded on several occasions that her “time” was near. We have been summons to her bedside for farewells. We have been suspended in the moment, speechlessly, as he {the husband} has insisted that God will heal her. We have stood in brokenness as he has submitted to her end. I have personally coward at the grief they are feeling, not knowing what to do or say and not wanting to face it myself. It is a roller coaster for him, of course. But one thing has never ceased. Their faith, and especially her faith does not waver. Neither of them have forgotten that if God chooses to heal, healing with be accomplished regardless.

And so, by her bedside these days -whether in thought, spirit or in flesh-many scenarios play out, and great healing does take place. It is not necessarily the healing of her cancer, but for each of us, we are drawn into a healing of conscience, old hurts, doubts, faith, and spiritual gaps in our being. No, it isn’t like the claims that a statue of Mary wept, or anything like that.

We are drawn into prayerful contemplation on her {their} behalf and somehow it becomes a journey of our own spirit. We pray for her healing, or an end to her suffering. Our thoughts wander to our personal need for healing and of our own suffering. We are reminded that God can heal, or release her, from the cancer that is in her body. And He can heal, or release, a different kind of cancer in our own. A cancer of unwillingness to forgive, perhaps. A cancer of doubt, old-unhealed wounds, discouragement, fear, temperament and sin. We believe that He can remove the mountain before her if He chooses, and we are forced to look at our own mountain. We are obligated to question why we do not truly believe that He can remove that too. Do we say, “ I can never get past this.” Or, “I can’t_____________ because__________ or unless___________.”

And so, by this bedside we have come to our Gethsemane when this lamb awakes, smiles, and reminds us that He is able and His power has no limit. There is nothing that He can not heal in the flesh, the mind, or spirit. By this bedside, during this life and death watch, either in thought, spirit, or flesh, we come face to face with this question of, “ When does our faith end and we quit asking for His healing and deliverance? Where do we believe His power ends?"

Dec.27, 2001 On a snowy, cold day after Christmas, Heaven shone brighter. This special lady won her battle with cancer when God called her home. If I had a wish for anyone, it would be that they had gotten the chance to know this special person. Back in the early 60s she met and married a man who would be known to say, "I was a real jerk back then, but it was her loving and supportive demeanor that turned me into a teddy bear. Even when I had bad ideas, she supported me no matter what." She began her married life commiting herself to God, vowing that she would love that man and submit in the way that we ladies are called to submit {adapt} to our men. She didn't just try for a couple of years, or on again-off again. No, she was consistant for 38 years. Those of us who have known them for some time {my family has known them for 25 years} have seen a Metemorphisis that changed a legalistic, snarly, giant into a gentle, tender-hearted teddy bear. She saw him through years and years of child raising, grand-children, business adventures, and health issues, but mostly through 30+ years of marriage and family counseling, and pastoring where they have been used greatly. They counselled as a team and never acquired any mometary gain for it. They had a wonderful minstry with young people together. From the world's point of view, she was not someone who would be added to the Hall Of Fame. But if there was ever a testament of the blessings received after being faithful as a godly wife as the result of a choice, this was it. No man could ever love his wife more than this one time grizzly loves her. But she didn't do it for that. She did it for Jesus, and her man's undying, unconditional love was the icing on the cake. She trusted God's design for marriage and was honored to be called to such an important position. About 10 years ago she was diagnosed with liver and pancreatic cancer. There have been surgeries, organic treatments, and chemo. There have been good times physically and not so good times. But not once did she lose her smile, her faith, and her special way of reaching out to people. In her final days, she lost a total 130 pounds {weighing 40 lbs.at death} and could not even lift her head from the bed, but she never lost her smile.......... Her funeral depicted her life. There were tears because we all would miss her, but no sadness. I have never seem a funeral like this. The little country church was packed full, some had to stand. There was even some laughter as some related humorous and warm moments with a little woman, who’s faith shined boldly. We all saw Jesus in her. Even in her darkest moments, she shared that beautiful smile. Her funeral service included a bible story read for her grandchildren and the other children there. Then we all gathered outside, following her casket to the church-yard cemetery, we sang, “When we all get to Heaven.” Though we will miss her, we will forever be touched by her testimony. She lived for Jesus. Though the air was chilled and snow fell around us, we were warmed by a life that was on fire for God. We should all leave such a testimony behind for our loved ones......... by the bedside

Tell A Friend! Type In Your Name: Type In Your E-mail: Your Friend's E-mail: Your Comments: Receive copy: