Romans 8:14-16
because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Sonship. And by him we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

Tonight I am not going to speak of what was; instead, dedicate today to what is.

My friend is sick. My dear sweet friend is sick. Isn't it strange that sadness seems to stop the world for a minute? It always has to start again, but for the space of a breath, the blink of an eye, it feels still. When eyes reopen and that first breath is taken, everything is different.  There is a shift and an instant awareness that life may not ever be the same again.  My blog was about to tell you about my world stopping once before. Now I get to tell you about my friend.

Have you ever met a person you just want to be like? Someone that everyone is just drawn to? That is Mary Beth. Everyone loves her. Her sweetness just exudes the love of Jesus. She is truly the living fruit of the Spirit of God. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Who she is makes me want to be better.

When I started attending my church, I met her and knew that I wanted what she had. She reached out to me and my family and loved us with the love of Christ. I believe that God is going to heal her and use her for his purpose. But today, I am sad. I don't want my friend to go through any of this. Not her.

I began writing that last week when I got a call from my friend. She told me the doctors found a mass on her brain. She had just had a seizure. She was in the hospital and needed prayer.

Listening as she shared her stunning news, I was overcome with grief. After I got off the phone with her, I cried for her. Really cried. I poured my eyes out, and I hit my knees and poured my heart out. I was afraid she had cancer. I was afraid she would die. I was dreading that no matter what, her life had changed.

As nearly everything does, her life did change. But, she does not have cancer. She doesn't even have a tumor. She can be treated and was able to leave the hospital. When I spoke with her, she said she felt such peace. She felt the love of God wrapped around her and the prayers of those who love her so dearly lifted up. Her life will be different, but we all saw the awesome hand of God on her and HIS answer to our prayers.

My friend still has a long way to go, but God has been so faithful to stand with her and her family.  In those moments of learning of difficult situations, it is natural for us to want to help.  I wanted to do something.  I wanted to get in my car and go to her and help somehow.  I couldn't do that.  I could only do what was asked of me and her friends.  We could pray for her. We could stand on God's word, and as a church and community of believers, we did.

James 5:15-16
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective

I am so thankful that I am a part of a church that values prayer.

This month, I am writing about a woman who was shattered by circumstance. A woman who didn't know where to turn. A woman who had to slowly pick up the pieces of her life and hand them to God individually as he shaped a new creation.

My beautiful friend did not even come close to shattering. She asked for prayer. She reached out to Jesus. Her immediate response to her circumstance was faith. Faith that she was in Gods hands.  Faith in knowing when she asked, her friends would pray; faith that God heard every one.  Faith that her all of her needs would be met. It has been a blessing to see her faith in action and the prayers of so many lifted up and answered.

So today, I am praising God! Thanking him for his peace that I stand in awe of. Thanking him for the shelter of his love for us. Thanking him for healing. Thanking him for reminding me that he can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Thanking him for responding to the cries of his people, who each witnessed his mighty power to save. Praising HIM!!