GARY ~ After I was praying for Annie and you, there was something that came to my mind that I wanted to share with you. When my Aunt heard the diagnosis that her husband had cancer again (for the third time), she said that she was so upset that she thought she was going to have a heart attack; and it took some time for her to be able to feel at peace again becuz she was so frightened ...
They started to go to a 'spirit-filled' Christian church (as she likes to call it) becuz she felt she needed to be with a group of Christians who really believed in the 'power of prayer'. She felt she needed the support of 'true believers' and those who would support them in prayer; and she called her believing family and friends to prayer for them as well.
EDIT: At first, she went by herself for awhile, and he joined her later on. My uncle was hesitant to pray or let them pray for him; but after awhile (about 2 years), the pastor approached him again, and asked him if he would mind if they did a special prayer for him where the people would lay their hands on him and pray for him as a group becuz they really believed that it might help him, and he finally said yes (when he was ready in his own time).
My aunt said that it was the most touching thing she had ever seen, as even small children went up and put their little hands on him and prayed for him to be well. She says that all she could do was 'bawl her eyes out' ...
I reminded her that she has been praying for her husband's salvation for many years and that we are also praying that GOD would reach out to him thru this experience. Sometimes, we forget this very important fact ... that often, it is during these scary times, that many people will turn to GOD for a touch of his love and healing grace.
We the people are members of the body of Christ and we are his church. I believe that wherever we are, we are his church. If only two of us are gathered in his name, we are his church. I believe that all of us here are his church. Sometimes, people think that everyone should go out to a church (to a building at a certain place); but I think that church is wherever we are ...
So ... what I am getting at, is this -- if Annie can't or won't go to the church, maybe the church can go to Annie ... they can certainly pray for her and show her that they truly care for her by supporting her wherever she is. Sometimes, we need to meet people where they are; and the best way we can share Christ's love with them is just by loving them!
How do we show that love? By caring for them ... going to her, listening to her, taking books or music to her, cooking for her, run errands for her, just meet her where she has needs and be there for her. Then maybe she will believe in the church again, but I think the church has to meet her needs too. So many people say ... oh it's not what the church can do for you but what you can do for the church; but I say, it should be both and right now, Annie NEEDS the church (the people) to be there for her ... that is, to be where she needs them to be so that she really knows that they really care about her ...
We know that you love her and care for her; words cannot convey ... and GOD loves her too, but maybe in time, she will come to know that -- becuz GOD can use her family, the doctors, caregivers, friends, and other Christians to show her how much He cares. We just have to TRUST HIM ~ and keep praying for her, diligently, and then be patient and let Him work, and be ready and willing to be there to do whatever He prompts you to do for them.
And we stand with you, and are sending prayers up for Annie and you all ... daily. Trust us -- that we are there for you too ...
Mine are way too expensive - and I go to Walmart to get them!
