One line that keeps catching my eye from this prayer is the part about perfect love. I've had a lot of interesting conversations recently about whether or not the human heart is even capable of loving perfectly. This prayer would argue that it is- when we learn to love someone else with the sort of love we share with Jesus. That is definitely interesting to think about.
If there is one person I could name that DOES love perfectly, though, it would have to be my grandma. This woman is a saint, I swear. First of all, she raised 6 boys- no girls- and never murdered any of them. Haha. But really, she is deeply Catholic. She goes to Mass every morning, prays constantly, and just really brings God wherever she goes. Last fall, my grandma suffered through a bout with esophageal cancer, and she won, but her body was left very weak. This fall, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. My grandma smoked for many years, so this wasn't too unexpected. She actually quit in preparation for my birth, but that's a whole other story. Anyways, her lung cancer has spread to her brain, and though we thought she had a few months to live, the doctors are now giving her 1 week. This is very difficult for my family, having just lost my grandfather a month ago today. My father, especially (it's his mom) is very scared of what the future will hold for many of his brothers who are tied to my grandma emotionally, psychologically, and financially. Several of them may end up institutionalized for mental problems, or even homeless, including my 7 year old cousin Ashley. Please pray for my grandma's soul, and for the rest of my family and their uncertain futures... Pray that we would trust in God, as my grandma has spent her life teaching us to do, and know that He will provide for tomorrow.
Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
ReplyDeleteMy dear Caitrin, I am so incredibly sorry to hear that you and your family are going through so much right now. I know how difficult it is to see someone you love go through something as horrible as cancer. I can still remember when my grandma was diagnosed 5 years ago with Colon Cancer, and I thought things couldn't get worse. However, soon after her diagnosis, she just went downhill. She was in and out of the hospital more times than I can even keep count. There were numerous times that the doctors told my mom that my grandma would not make it through the night. Hearing this, and being at school when hearing it, was absolutely heartbreaking. I remember one specific night when my mom called me and told me the doctors had said my grandma wouldn't make it through the night, so she gave the phone to her for me to say goodbye. I tried talking to her, but she couldn't really talk...she didn't know who I was, repeated random words, and didn't make any sense. I hung up the phone and completely broke down, I was a wreck. I remember knocking on my roommates door and just crumbling. The toughest thing I have ever faced in my life. I turned to my friends that night and asked them to pray for her, then spent a lot of time praying myself. I prepared myself to wake up the next morning to the worst news...and instead, I ended up talking to the grandma I've known for 21 years...the cheery, funny lady, with absolutely no signs of anything wrong the night before. In my eyes, that was a miracle. Now, your grandma's case sounds pretty grave, and I don't know that her fate will be the same as mine. But I do know, and ensure you, that you have SO many people at JMU/CCM praying for her, and your family. And the power or prayer is unspeakable. Though it is hard to understand right now and see that there is a reason for all this heartache and loss in your family, trust in the Lord that He knows what He is doing, as difficult as that may be. And He will provide for all of your needs. He has a reason for everything, though it may not be clear right now, and He has a plan for all of the uncertain futures. In the words of Josh Turner, "Sometimes life is a no-win situation. But get on your knees, and he'll be right there waiting." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG57JZvge_I) Pray, trust, and know that everything will be okay. Thinking of you and praying for you, dear. love you!
Thank you so much Kati I really appreciate it! I don't know where I'd be without my amazing CCM family always there for me and praying for me :)
ReplyDeleteYou and your family are in my prayers. Love you!
ReplyDeleteCaitrin,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry. I know that no words can console, but I echo Kati's wisdom: take comfort in the community of prayer that surrounds you. I dare not presume exactly what you're going through, but I am here if you need someone to listen and pray with you.
In Christ's enveloping Love,
Christine