Sandy, today I can't help but reflect back on May 1, 2007, the day you shared with me that you had 4th stage adeno-carcinoma that had metastasized to the bone. At the time we didn't yet know where it was coming from (later we learned it came from the breast). It is hard to put into words how I felt that day. I was devastated, scared, and desperate to make some sense of what was going to happen to you. What was going to happen to Jon and the girls? Was I going to help plan your funeral? I could not accept that this was your fate. I cried myself to sleep every night and begged God to spare your life.
Through Dodie Osteen 's book, "Choosing Life, One Day at a Time," we learned together the power of prayer and how to find promises of healing in the Bible and claim them and personalize them for ourselves. We learned that the promises God made which are found in the Old Testament and the promises Jesus made in the New Testament are the same promises meant for us today.
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have summoned you by name (Sandy), you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you,
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. The flames will not set
you ablaze, for I am the Lord your God." Isa. 43:2,3.
"I want you to trust me in your times of trouble so I can rescue you and you can give me glory." Psa. 50:15.
I remember praying this prayer that was written by Dodie Osteen:
"God, you are a miracle-working God, and your Word promises to make a way for me where there appears to be no way. I am counting on You to demonstrate Your honor and majesty toward me, and I'll be sure to give you all the praise."
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is about Jesus healing the woman who had suffered most of her life with bleeding. The woman simply reached out to touch Jesus' cloak and he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you, go in peace and be freed from your suffering." Mark 5:34.
In Stormie Omartian's book, The Power of Praying Through the Bible, we learn about "Having Peace About Your Future." "Although God promises us a future full of hope and blessing, it doesn't just happen automatically. There are some things we have to do. One of them is to pray (Jer. 29:11-13). Another is to obey God.
"Every time you pray and obey, you are investing in your future. Although you live in a world where everything in your life can change in an instant, you can't be certain what tomorrow will bring. God is unchanging. Although you may not know the specific details about what is ahead, you can trust that God knows. And He will get you safely where you need to go. In fact, the way to get to the future God has for you is to walk closely with Him today.
"Walking with God doesn't mean there won't be obstacles. Satan will see to it that there are. While God has a plan for your future that is good, the devil has one too, and it's not good. But the devil's plan for your life cannot succeed as long as you are walking with God, living in obedience to His ways, worshiping only Him, standing strong in His Word, and praying without ceasing.
"Your future is in God's hands. The only thing that is important is what he says about it. He doesn't want you to be concerned about your future anyway. He wants you to be concerned with Him, because He is your future. Remember that you are God's child and He loves you."
Perfect peace can be a reality. I have that perfect peace that surpasses all understanding about your future. God has put you on a journey, a "Journey of Faith." You were chosen because you have always lived your life for God and His principals and you prayed as a little girl that He would use you to make a difference in the world. Well, you are making a difference in the lives of thousands of people, including me.
I am so proud of you - and Jon, too, because you both are such caring and thoughtful people. You both are always thinking about what you can do to help others. You both love children and they are drawn to you. You are loved by the neighborhood and community you live in. I am so proud to be your mother.
Love,
Mom
