One Set of Footprints

Many have mistakenly told me I was being very strong. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. My Savior carries me.

Questioning the Faith

The first day of cancer shakes the foundation of faith through our human frailty. We think of our God as a merciful God. Cancer is not the poster child for a charitable God. Many patients and health/primary care givers question their own faith in the face of catastrophic illness.

God never left.

Many genuinely well-meaning people instantly pray for a cure. In fact, this is the last prayer to pray. When asking for prayer, lead by example praying the first one. Bringing yourself closer to God will strengthen your faith so you may have the strength to handle what you have to do.

Right now, you are being carried. God has the ability to help you do this. Pray for His strength in you.

Peace in my home.

When asking others for their prayer, you should first ask for peace in your home. Yes, I know you want to be delivered from the Cup. Christ was not delivered from His Cup in order to serve His purpose. This illness is your cup that others may see Christ in your heart...an impossible feat had Christ been delivered from His: Be more like Him.

Worrying over the body is a joint effort from professional care givers. Worrying over the soul is your job. Before you can do that job, peace is a prerequisite. You are not giving up by praying for serenity and courage. You are successfully navigating the grieving process.

Give the illness to Him.

God has the power to deal with the disease. Remember, part of God's plan may be to bring your spouse to the edge of mortality to ingrain the importance of being spiritually saved. As you deal with the physical, a firm faith allows you to realize death is merely the doorway to God.

Ask the tough questions and answer honestly.

Pointblank, as your spouse about Salvation. At this juncture, mortality is a reality. The gravity of the situation is ingrained. If the answer is no, evangelize without condescension. Testify as to the blessings in your life. Read about the Kingdom of Heaven.

If the answer is yes, praise and prayerfully thank God.

If your sick one is not ready to turn over his life, control and soul to Christ, seek counsel of your own. Bearing the knowledge of your spouse's imminent descent is a weight under which you may easily break. Seek serenity, for this is not a choice you may make for anyone else.

If the denial continues, pray for wisdom to know whether or not this is a situation you can change.

Calling in the Troops

If your prayer is answered with wisdom, recruit help. Let others witness to him to allow for Spirit to move within his heart. You may find it will take six or more people to exhibit faith before your spouse finds the peace which passes understanding. One person will press the button, and the Spirit will flood his soul.

The Blue Plate Special

God is not going to put on your plate more than you can eat. He may, however, do it before you know you are hungry.

Chin up,
Ann Marie

The Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.

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