Thursday, October 11, 2012

God Hears Our Prayers

Devote yourselves to prayers, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

-- Colossians 4:2-3

The other side of the valley is filled with brilliant light. When the darkness parts, the blessings seem so much deeper. Maybe because they touch our souls in a way that only God can.

A dear friend has spent much of this year in agony. She’s endured surgery and pain so intense she was almost afraid to move. More than two weeks ago she entered the hospital again, this time in ICU. She had a respirator and didn’t recognize anyone, including her beloved husband.

We were all scared. We want so desperately for her to live and to thrive, to leave the pain and sickness behind. We prayed for her. Again and again we stood over her and prayed. We prayed in church and we prayed at home. Whenever we thought of her, we prayed.

And, yet, we were willing to let her go home. She is a strong Christian who lives her faith. I smile as I remember her rush to purchase items for the Santa for Seniors program last year. She was happy to help. Silly though it seems, not too many Christians smile when they’re spending money for people they don’t know.

Somehow holding on to this vibrant woman seemed cruel. She deserves laughter like she gives to others. She deserves a full life free of pain. She deserves so much more than I. And yet she lay there fighting even as the fight seemed to leave her.

God heard our prayers. The respirator, which seemed like a permanent fixture, was successfully removed. And, now, three days later she is like her old self. She knows us all. She smiles. She is weak but she is alive and for that we are so very grateful. She is our miracle.

I look around me sometimes and I see so many sick and hurting people. One friend faces incurable cancer. Another is fighting lung cancer -- again. There are so many who are hurting and in need. And, yet, we see God’s hand, we see His Grace, everywhere.

This miracle is a reminder to us all that God is present even in the most dire circumstances. He holds us close and hears our prayers. And sometimes, yes sometimes, God gives us back what we thought we had lost. Praise be to God!