I wanted the big miracle. I was praying for the big miracle. I wanted God to change my breast cancer diagnosis to cancer-free, dumbfounding the doctors. I wanted God to banish the tumor, no surgeon needed. I wanted God to make my cancer journey easier, shorter and cheaper.
Every test result and every doctor’s visit was a painful reminder that my big miracle didn’t happen. Words of advice helped me to recognize what I needed as much as the big miracle. Words from a stranger who I met through a phone conversation arranged by a mutual friend. This breast cancer survivor advised me to quit praying for God to take away the cancer and to start praying for what was around the corner.
Her words spoke to my heart. I was so focused on the big miracle on my terms that I overlooked the miraculous in each day. Finally, I was able to rejoice in the miracles present all along. God’s confirmation of the medical team to guide my care. God’s peace for the type of treatment chosen. God’s comfort through the people he placed in my life. All miracles at just the right time in the perfect way from the heart of God to my troubled heart.
Oh, I continued to pray for the big miracle as we are taught to be bold in our requests. I know that God is more than able to deliver on the big miracles. But I also learned to trust God for the time in-between the big miracles. As I prayed for the big miracle, God in his mercy provided the bigger miracle. God desires to be in the mire of our lives. God treasures our relationship with him. Jesus chose to die on the cross to insure that relationship forever. All bigger miracles that abound for us this day. Thank you LORD for giving me the biggest miracle.
Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
🙏🙏🙏
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Thank you for your inspirational story.
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God is the inspiration in our inspirational stories! Thanks for checking out my blog.
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Mark 11:24
Those are the words that I believed and the words that I hung on for dear life when my dad became ill with cancer. My dad believed in these words, also. I felt so close to you (and we don’t even know each other) when I read :”All miracles at just the right time in the perfect way from the heart of God to my troubled heart.” That is EXACTLY what happened to us. I wanted to tell you something that I didn’t say on Diana’s site because it is so personal. The doctors gave my dad six months and he lived for seven years. And, he didn’t die from cancer but from the side effects of the treatment. I wasn’t satisfied with the gifts we received. In fact, it has just been in the last couple of days that I realized that my prayers were answered. I wanted Dad to live forever, I guess. It took years for me to get straightened out and to see clearly. I remember, the closeness I felt with God when dad was alive. Times when I had such peace, such joy…the kind that can’t be explained in words, because we don’t have the words to describe the depth of these emotions. Every breath was like a prayer between us. I could feel Him with me. This must be the thing that the saints and the apostles felt. I hope you are feeling that. I hope I feel it again. I remember, at first, that it was like I was in a blackened room and my hands were reaching out, looking for God.
Your friend,
Ginene
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Ginene, Thank you for your touching reply. Your words gave me goose bumps! And, I am sorry to hear about the death of your father. (I lost my mom in March 2013. Look for the post titled The Last Picture under the Search feature for a story about my experience.) I had a former pastor that would always remind us that it mattered more what God said than anyone else. The doctors estimated 6 months for your dad, while God gave your family 7 years. (Interesting that it was 7, a holy number in the Bible!) And yes, let’s keep seeking after our God who wants to overwhelm us with peace and joy in His presence! Stay in touch. My e-mail is snowdrops4faith@gmail.com. Blessings to you Ginene.
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Debbie, Well said! And something for all of us to think about … God knows the big picture. Donna
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Donna, I am so much a detail person that I can lose sight of the big picture. Thank goodness God has everything under control!
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Each word, filled with hope, love and faith. I hope and pray for your big miracle my friend. For God to take away the cancer whether with divine intervention from heaven or through the healing modern medicine can give. Yes, everyday, God gives us miracles through events, situations and people. God’s love and mercy manifests itself through others, our family, friends, health care workers, community , even random strangers. Thank you for reminding us of God’s blessings and miracles in our lives. They are everywhere and all we have to do is truly see and open our hearts form them. God bless and I wish you and your family the best of blessings.
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Island Traveler, I am a 3 1/2 year (those 1/2 years count!) cancer survivor. It has been interesting for this month of breast cancer awareness to look back and reflect on the big lessons learned. One of the miracles was the radiologist who diagnosed the cancer and the nurse navigator that works with him. Every year (when I go in for my mammogram), I thank them again with warm chocolate chip cookies for the doctor and a little something crafty or edible for the nurse. And hugs too. Thought I would mention that since you are a nurse and in a position to be one of those miracles for people you come in contact with.
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A wonderful miracle, indeed, Debbie. Sometimes the eyes of our faith and trust just have to be opened wider than our current perspective. Thank you.
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Kathy, I loved how you summed up this post in 18 words! Thanks for stopping by. (BTW, I was in your neck of the woods, well actually Hancock, a few weeks back. I forgot how beautiful the U.P. is in the fall! In November, I am looking forward to sharing two posts I wrote about the U.P.!)
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By His Stripes….you are healed!
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Janet, Amen! I love that Isaiah 53:5 is recorded in Scripture so that we can claim His promises for our lives.
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I have been asked Debbie much more than once, why God does not stop all the evil in the world including sickness and death as they are evil too, and come from the fall.
If God was to stop all evil now, He would have to stop the world as we know it but He is patient it is not His will that anyone perishes He is giving His Children that He knows by Name time to come to heart repentance until than He gives the rest of us strength to endure and we never walk alone, He is always with us as the Scripture below confirms, He gave me these Scriptures when going through a Storm in my life.
Lamentations 3: 33 For God doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
Isaiah 43:1-3 – Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.”
Jeremiah 29 :11-12 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Christian Love – Anne.
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Anne… Thanks for the Scriptures. I was familiar with two of them, but not the Lamentations passage. (Love it!) I see that Lamentations, chapter 3, also contains a familiar reassurance in verses 22-23, “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” You have been asked the hard questions and your know the answers from God’s word, a gift indeed.
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