One Miracle At A Time

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4 KJV

One evening, I received a phone call from my father. I could tell by his voice that it wasn’t good news. My mother had a tumor and it was cancerous. This news came too quickly for me to grasp. I knew she hadn’t been feeling well, but never thought it could be something so serious. Emergency surgery was scheduled the next week.

My heart sank. My mom had cancer. I had so many questions spinning in my mind. Why her, God? Why would she get such a horrible disease? How could this happen to her…to our family? I couldn’t believe it. I went to my room, fell to my knees, crying, “Lord, I need You. I need something. I need You to share something with me and encourage me. I’m too numb and I can’t even think.”

The Lord began to share out of His Word, leading me to scriptures that revealed my mom’s heart and her prayer. “Lord, You know how I long for my health once more. You hear my every sigh” (Psalm 38:9 TLB). These revelations of His Word were so alive and so real, and comforted me so much.

“Lord, help me to realize how brief my time on earth will be. Help me to know that I am here but a moment more. My life is no longer than my hand. My whole life time is but a moment to You… And so Lord, my only hope is in You” (Psalm 39:4-7 TLB). The scriptures also gave me hope, encouragement, and guidance on how I should pray.

“Hear my prayer, O Lord, listen to my cry. For I am Your guest, I am a traveler passing through the earth. Spare me, Lord! Let me recover and be filled with happiness again before my death” (Psalm 39:12-13 TLB).

The more I read God’s Word, the more I found strength to face the days that followed. Each of the 29 days she was in the hospital for treatment, I was able to get out of bed, knowing there would be some miracle that day. While some days of her treatment were more challenging than others, every day I remained hopeful and comforted. I know this is the confidence that only God can give.

The day she was released, her test results stated that there had been “an interesting and unusual finding.” There was no sign of cancer.

God gave my mom another year on this earth. During this year, she traveled to visit family and friends, sharing her testimony. Some said it was like she was on a mission. I believe that to be true. I still miss her. I miss her laughter, her advice, her comforting words, and our fun times together, but I know that I will see her again in heaven someday. I’m closer to God and my family because of this experience and, for that, I am very grateful.

“This plan of Mine is not what you would work out, neither are My thoughts the same as yours! For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than yours, and My thoughts than yours” (Isaiah 55:8-9 TLB).

Lord, we thank You for the comfort You give us in Your Word. Thank You for the strength that only You can provide when we face sudden changes. Help us rest in Your ways even though we don’t always understand. We love You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.