Grace

“O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good: for His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 107:1

I don’t remember if it was bleak and stormy, but it seemed that way the night our daughter-in-law called and told us that she had Lymphoma, and there was no cure. We stayed in touch as she seemed to not respond to treatment. After much excruciating testing, the doctors found that it had metastasized, and was in her bone marrow. This was a death sentence to her, and she began chemotherapy, hoping to give her time to visit family to say good-bye. She was very weak at the time, failing fast. She couldn’t eat or drink. She and her husband and her mother called us to ask my husband to do the funeral service.

Her mother and I communicated long distance regarding the menu for after the service. How many should we count on? What should we serve? Where could we gather? They had not attended any church, so they had no pastor or place to hold services. She had gone shopping and found a nice outfit to wear and sent me a picture of it. We cried over the phone together. She found a reception hall that we could rent, and sent me a couple of menus. We discussed what to serve, the hors d’oeuvres or meal. With arrangements somewhat settled, all we could do now was wait, and pray for a miracle.

We drove the 300 miles to visit her and to say our good-byes. When we arrived, she did not have much strength. She hadn’t eaten in three days. She had fired all nurses, doctors, and oncologists, and decided she would have no more treatments. What happens, happens.

My husband pulled up a chair to sit before her and talk to her about eternity. Was she ready? He told her about the Lord, and what she needed to do before she stood before her Judge. She needed a Savior. She repented, accepted Jesus as her Savior that night and decided to follow Him and learn as much of Him as she could before she saw Him face to face.

She arose every morning at 5 a.m. to spend time with Jesus while the house was still quiet. While she was strengthening herself in the Lord, He began to strengthen her body. She became strong enough to begin attending a local church. She fell in love with Jesus and studied His Word.

It has been over a year now, and she has led her husband, her mother, her father and two of her three sons to Jesus, and they are all worshipping together. They are attending Bible studies, and growing to know Him more day by day.

She called recently to give us some very good news: she is in remission! They are all giving God the glory, grateful for more time together to serve Him. This is grace.

Father, words can’t fully convey our thankfulness for Your great works. Blessed be Your Name. Amen.