As the hours passed, my heart grew heavier and heavier, my tears flowed easier and easier until finally it was time to leave, and I could not hold it in any more. I walked over to Wendy's desk and poured out my heart. She talked for a bit and then grabbed my hand and began to pray. Knowing my devotional was scheduled to be published the very next day, she prayed and asked the Lord to provide for my every need through the words of women who responded to the devotional.
I awakened the next morning having no idea how powerfully God would answer that prayer. He answered it in accordance with the promise in His Word - He did abundantly more than Wendy and I could have ever asked or imagined as we prayed.
Your posts and e-mails fed my thirsty soul...each one in its own way. Some provided rich Scriptures and Promises from God. Others shared scoliosis surgery stories that gave me great hope and confirmed the decisions we have made on this journey. Others shared personal stories of Hope and God's provision in your lives. How I wish I could spend time with each of you and hear your whole story!!!
Thank you for stopping in the midst of your busy days to allow God to use you to speak into our lives. Lauren's surgery is scheduled for the morning of December 28th, and I plan to to take every Scripture shared and put it in a journal that I will keep with us at the hospital. I will have your words and stories with me to remind me that you are praying.
Never before have I been so touched by God in such a real and personal way. Thank you for showering our family with your love and prayers!!! Thank you for living out 2Corinthians Chapter One...
All praise to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our trouble so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
Although I can never repay all you have given me, I would like to give away three books as a small way to say "thank you." One is a devotional, one is the One Year Chronological Bible, and one is my book, Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner. If you find your name below, please contact me at spkrcoord@proverbs31.org and send me your mailing address so I can send you your gift.
Catherine who sent an e-mail
Julie who posted 11/4/09 at 11:06 am
Anonymous who posted on 11/4/09 at 11:40 a.m.
With heartfelt love and gratitude,
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12 comments:
Hi Wendy:)
Your blog post today brought tears to my eyes, thanks for being so honest with us and sharing your heart, your a true inspiration to me. I will continue praying, i know God will bless your family and good things are going to happen to you all, and especially Lauren at this very difficult time.
God bless you Sweet sister in Christ.
Very nice follow up post. Your gratitude and appreciation flows abundantly. Blessings.
Dearest Wendy:
You are a pleasure to love. You now have many saints lifting up Lauren and you and hubby and Bo in prayer for 12/28! :)
May you continue to see HIS faithfulness and intimate love for each of you every step of the way! Love you!
Lifting up golden bowlfuls of prayers,
Sharon
"Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." Rev. 5:8
Wendy,
Thank you for your comment on my blog. It's funny b/c I read it at a time when I really needed to. I'm going through some tough times, and it made me so happy to read your comment. You brought tears to my eyes.
God Bless,
Traci
Wendy,
I am marking Dec 28th on our cal. We will be praying on that day and the days that lead up to it.
I'm so glad that the body gathered around you in this time and it blessed you. You have been such a blessing and inspiration to all that read your words. You are a dear and precious sister in Christ.
You are such a precious friend! The 28th in on my calendar! I pray that you continue to feel God's peace throughtout this time.
Love you!
Susan
PS--I was going to write more, but Austin is hanging over my shoulder wanting to finish his biology!! I need my own computer!! :)
Wendy, I want you and all the other readers/commenters to know that God's glory has been revealed through your daughter's story of the present by bridging it with my own back story of the past. . . At age 13, I had an 11 1/2 hour surgergy to have rods installed in my back because of severe scoliosis. . . After a brace treament and after an electrolysis treatment, the "S" curve still continued to worsen and my internal organs were going to suffer because of it. My great miracle to report that the surgery was a magnificent success, and I have lived the last 23 years of my life with little to none complications because of it all. Praise God!!! He ALWAYS brings His perfection to our vision for our lives. . . I pray for you, your daughter, and many of the other parent/child combos out there, that are being faced with minor to very major medical emergencies. No matter what the malady- no matter what the pain- no matter what the end result- His power and glory and healing do reign forever and ever! May He and His Son- our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for now and evermore be given all the praise and honor! Amen! Amen! and Amen!!!
I love your sweet praise in response to pouring out your heart to God. I love His very personal answer to you! He is good.
Praying that Lauren's surgery is a complete success and that you would know He is with you through it all.
This is a passage that has encouraged me in difficult times. Know He loves you completely!
1But now, thus says the LORD, your (A)Creator, O Jacob,
And He who (B)formed you, O Israel,
"Do not (C)fear, for I have (D)redeemed you;
I have (E)called you by name; you are (F)Mine!
2"When you (G)pass through the waters, (H)I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you
When you (I)walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
3"For (J)I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your (K)Savior;
Blessings
Leslie
Wendy~ Thanks for being such an inspiration for me. The stories you have received from others has not only helped you with coping with this heartwrenching stress, but also me as well.
My daughter Haley (14) will be having her scoliosis surgery on December 1st, and the mixed, worried feelings you have had are exactly the same as mine. We as mothers must protect, care for and love our children during this crucial time of need, during surgery and rehabilitation, and I now know that it is normal for us to carry the burden of worry in our hearts just so our chilren don't have to. That way they can focus solely on getting better quicker and being able to move on with their lives, both healthier and normally.
Dec. 1st is only 2 1/2 weeks a way, and I still have a sick pit in my stomach from all the worry, but I do know the Lord will protect my dear daughter during her surgery and will heal her quickly.
I will definitely be thinking of you and your daughter on Dec. 28th and there will be lots of prayers going out to the both of you (and your family) until then.
Lisa Kestory
DeLand, FL
Wendy--I cannot thank you and the Lord enough for your devotion on your daughter, Lauren. My 9 year old has a bone disease that causes pain and deforms her bones and we have just recuperated from the first of what may be many surgeries. I have prayed for healing, for it to be given to me, for strength, for someone who understands...so today when I read your devotion, I was so thankful. For the scriptures you reminded me of and for the Lord reminding me that I am never alone. Thank you for opening your heart to us. I will be praying for Lauren and your family,
Dear Wendy,
I just spent several hours pouring over your blog for the first time! It all began with your devotion from P31 about "When Healing Doesn't Come". I've been sick and had no internet access for a few days, so I just now read the Nov. 4th devotion.I had no idea about Lauren's dilema and was blown away with all she's suffered. Be assured that my prayers are added to the thousands already praying for her. I look forward to Amazing Praise on December 28th! From your devotion I next landed on your blog, then your website and just finished chapter 7 of your book online. My head is spinning from reading so fast, trying to emotionally process all the things I was taking in. You communicate so beautifully and dramatically and waste not one word. I am completely drawn in and inspired by my experience tonight reading the stories of your life and the intoxicating way you apply God's Word. Your relationship with the Lord is so evident in what you write and how you speak and how I "see" you. Thank you for for being so vulnerable, transparent and devoted to drawing women closer to Jesus. I look so forward to returning here again and again. With Gratitude, LaGena
Wendy,
Isn't God just so good??? He shows up and provides when we least expect it.
Love your sharing and writing...and I especially love having you as my friend!
Love,
Melissa
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