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She had two choices: 1) live with the knowledge of the aneurysm
and hope for the best; or 2) have brain surgery. How does someone
handle news like this? How would you handle it? Where is God at
a time like this?
First came the tears, then the resolve to stay busy. She went
back to work and told no one. She discussed it only with family
and a trusted doctor. Her decision-surgery. She began to review
life and wonder why, and at the same time, be thankful for what
God had already provided. Panic was a daily battle. Would the
surgery leave her paralyzed, blind, or even dead? All were possible.
There were long talks with her husband far into the night-there
was inability to sleep-it was real-it was happening and it was
happening to her!
On one of those sleepless nights she walked downstairs, picked
up her Bible, looked at a red ribbon imprinted with suggested
topics: sorrow, worry, loneliness, courage -and picked courage.
The passage was Joshua 1:9, and the words leapt from the page:
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not
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be
discouraged, for the Lord Your God will be with you wherever
you go." Tearing a piece of paper from a note pad, she
copied the verse and clasped it in her hand. Her sense of panic
drained away.
The piece of paper remained with her constantly during the days
leading up to the surgery. Surgery day found her with no fear
of surgery or the future. The note remained in her right hand
as she was moved into the operating room. The final exam by
the attending nurses revealed the paper. The piece of paper
with the verse had served its purpose. She told the nurse to
throw it away. But in her beautiful wisdom, the nurse responded,
"I have to take it now; but when you wake up, you will
find it taped to your palm."
Twenty-six hours later two smiling nurses appeared. "Did
you find your verse?" Slowly she opened her fist. The tattered
scrap was secured with surgical tape. Reading it would not be
possible for a long time, but the words are etched forever in
her memory: "...for the Lord your God will be with you
wherever you go." You are not alone. - Home- |
