Coping

Thoughts from Kim, your blogger:

When Mom became sick, Pastor Morrow was teaching a series on prayer on Wednesday nights and he covered some verses from John 14 that grabbed my attention.

First, I love the fact that twice in this chapter, verses 1 and 27, Jesus says, “Let not your heart be troubled…” When something is repeated in Scripture, the topic sandwiched between bears increased significance. So, nestled between these verses we find in verse 13, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

Pastor Morrow taught about how to bring our troubles to the Lord asking not just so we can have our prayers answered the way we want them answered, but rather asking that God will work through our situation so He can be glorified.

I really latched onto this concept and it has totally changed my prayer life. Instead of dwelling on me personally and what I've wanted to see happen with Mom, I've taken this situation to the Lord asking Him to work in Mom’s life in such a way that others will know His greatness.

Though Mom’s body is wracked with cancer, her faith is a beacon. I have never seen her upset or anxious about this path God has chosen for her. When she first got sick, she reminded our family of Proverbs 3:5-6 and told us that God put her on this path for a reason. She told us she is trusting Him and she needs us to trust Him, too. There are times when I want to ask why and question God, but my Mom’s words always come back to me. Either you are trusting, or you are doubting, and Mom set the bar high when she made it clear that doubting God with this is not an option.

My human nature would really like to fix this problem for my Mom, but since I cannot, I decided to focus on the elements of this situation for which I can give thanks.

I am thankful for time. I feel blessed that Mom’s illness has been one that gave us time with her. It is hard to see her suffering physically, but I am thankful for all the words, memories and warm moments our family has been able to have with her this past year.

I am thankful for our family and the closeness we share.

I am thankful for my Mom’s testimony. She has set such an example for all of us in action first, then word. It is easy to follow Mom’s example because she has never asked us to be more than she is herself. She first becomes what she wants us to be, then lives it before us, challenging us at times without even words.

I am thankful for a God who is so good that He sent His own Son to die on the cross making it possible for us to go to Heaven. Knowing that I am going to be reunited with my Mom and that we are going to be together much longer than we will be apart gives me great comfort.

I am thankful for the many brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe who are lifting us up in prayer.

I am thankful for each person who has stopped by to visit, sent flowers or dropped a word of encouragement in the mail.

I am thankful for those who have given financially, prepared meals or called to say they care.

I am thankful for a God who answers my prayers. Mom is going to be healed either here or in Heaven, and I am thankful that her days of suffering are numbered either way.