Something amazing happened to me this week. No, that’s not the right word. Incredible? Shocking? Supernatural? How about all of the above?
Here’s how it went down.
As I sat in a cold, sterile treatment room praying that Papa God would somehow turn bad news into good, the Pulmonologist entered, sat on her little black stool without making eye contact, and flipped open some paperwork. Her gaze stayed glued to the paper for what seemed forever.
My heart sank. The results of the C.A.T. scan of the tumor in my left lung must not be what I was hoping to hear. I silently asked the Lord to give me strength to accept whatever kind of medical crisis I was facing.
“Debora,” the doc said, finally looking up with a strange expression on her face, “you have two small lesions in your left lower lobe, both less than 3mm. Tiny. They are benign, dense, and stable. Nothing to worry about. You’re a very healthy lady. I don’t think we’ll need to see you again.”
I gawked at her, trying to comprehend what she was saying. “What??? Wait. Are you telling me that I have two new lesions in addition to the tumor I had the C.A.T. scan for?”
She swallowed. “No. I’m telling you they’re in place of it. The original tumor is no longer there.”
My mouth dropped open. She said nothing but kept staring at me.
Finally, my wits returned, at least one of them. “I don’t get it. How can that be? I saw the tumor on the x-rays with my own eyes – more than once. It’s the size of a tangerine. Could you have somehow missed it? Are you sure you looked in the right place?”
A slight flush colored her cheeks. “Yes, of course – the left lower lobe. We double-checked.”
I was flabbergasted. I simply could not grasp this. “And it’s really not there anymore? Do these kind of tumors just go away? Or shrink to the size of Tik-Taks on their own?”
The doctor cleared her throat and adjusted her sitting position as if it was suddenly uncomfortable. “Well, theoretically they could, but I’ve never seen it. It’s very rare.”
“I just don’t understand,” I said, still incredulous. I felt like I was inside a dream and grasping frantically for reality.
“Me neither,” she said under her breath as I stood, shook her hand and exited.
It was in the parking lot as I stood staring absently at the keys in my hand, trying to figure out what to do with them, when true reality finally hit me. Papa God had done this. It had His fingerprints all over it. He shrank the vast cosmos into our little world at the beginning of time; He could surely shrink a boulder-sized tumor into mere pebbles.
Wow. Just. WOW. What a HUGE grace note!
Words fail me. But I know you know the enormous feelings bombarding me. Because you’ve received a blessing of pebbles from Papa God too at some point in your life – maybe even a supernatural blessing – and you know firsthand the joy and gratitude that brings.
Would you share your pebbles with us, dearest BFF (Blessed Friend Forever)? Encourage your sisters who may need to be reminded of our Heavenly Father’s constant presence in our lives today.
The ultimate boulder-buster.
God Bless you Debora! Yes, our Lord does work Miracles. I am glad you are well
Amen, Carla! He surely does. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
PRAISE THE LORD I needed this AWESOME only GOD can do report today. I have family facing cancer news soon…I RECIEVE this for them as well. HEALED by the STRIPES of JESUS. AMEN !!!
Veronica, I’m stopping right now to pray for your family. A BIG hug to you, sister!
THANK you and we receive the prayers!!
Prayers, waiting for Physician to go over my chart before taking me to surgery, he is looking at my chart not saying anything. I already had my twilight meds and people praying. He then looks up and goes over my different conditions and says this surgery may make the symptoms worst and says I recommend you not do the surgery. I said ok, my husband and I left and no Symptoms or problems since. Weird, no it was Prayer and my sister was praying and asking God for the doctor not to do the surgery. Power of prayer. Amen
You said it, Carolyn – the POWER of prayer! Thanks for sharing your wonderful story.
Congratulations Deb and thanks be to God! I had 2 God-interventions this week and was doing the happy dance, so I Do get it! How amazing is our God!
Wow, Janine – that’s awesome! Would you be willing to tell us (our community of BFFs here) about your two God-interventions? We’d love to hear it!
Awesome Deb! I didn’t know you had this tumor! What a miracle! I KNOW what a miracle this is as we prayed so long, hard and with blood that Brandon’s cancer would just disappear! We had many people and pastors to pray and lay hands on him but Jesus took him home with Him anyway! There is no way to understand the will of Our Father God but it is his plan and I am so thankful His plan for you was to remain on this earth a bit longer as we all need you!
Love you! Linda G., TBPC
Oh, Linda – I was right alongside you praying for Brandon and I still grieve for his wife and beautiful children. You’re so right – we cannot know the mind of God and often His will is beyond our understanding. Have you seen in the newest episodes of The Chosen, where the disciple “Little James” approaches Jesus about the fairness of him being sent out to heal others in Jesus’ name when he himself needs healing. I think the (fictionalized) answer Jesus gives him is spot on concerning trust in the Lord’s sovereignty even when He doesn’t answer our prayers as we wish. That will always be one of the hard, hard elements of faith for us Christ-followers, and something we must all encounter while we’re in these earth suits. You and your family continue to be in my prayers, dear friend.
Oh my goodness…such a gift to receive this news, sweet friend ?? My heart was racing as I read this! Much love!!
Thanks so much, Latain. I appreciate you taking the time to write – our community of BBFs (Blessed Friends Forever) is richer with your presence!
Just WOW! ? I didn’t know you were dealing with anything like that, but I am SO thankful for what the Lord has done! Praise His Name! Celebrating with you!
You’re a dear, Lou. You know, what you said resonated with me. None of us can know what other people are REALLY dealing with, can we? If only we could remember that, I believe we’d all be a bit kinder and gentler. Hugs to you, dear friend!
Praise the Lord! God works in mysterious ways!
WenDee – ain’t THAT the truth? Hugs and thanks for taking the time to write!
WOW! Praise the Lord Jesus Christ from Whom ALL blessings flow! What a miracle! Many blessings to you ????
Thanks so much, Beth. Many blessings to you, too, my friend!
Debora,
I had tears in my eyes as I read your story of Papa God’s answer of prayer for you.
In 2016, I was in the hospital for a month and was finally diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. At the time, I was so sick that I didn’t realize how close I came to dying. God sent me the right team of doctors and I was so blessed!
I still deal with the autoimmune disease, but am excited for when I get to heaven and I’m healed!!
I’m thanking the Almighty right alongside you, Crystaleen Joy Grace (Oh, how I ADORE your name so I have to write the entire thing!), for the grace He showered you with in 2016. Sometimes looking back on situations makes us realize just how MUCH grace we received when at the time, we’re oblivious. I’m so happy for your blessing and happy that you’re here to tell us about it! Hugs!
I am thanking God for the wonderful answer to your prayers. You are a light in this world and I am grateful you have such great news! Would you please pray for my friend Rich who was just given the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer last week? He and his wife are amazing Christians. Our whole church is praying. Please join us!
Peace and Blessings
Dear Marsha, I am saddened by this news about your friend Rich. I will stop right now and lift him up to Papa God’s Mercy Seat. Mercy is such an amazing thing – I will ask for a bucketful on Rich’s behalf. Love to you, girlfriend.
Rejoicing with you! God is so gracious and merciful! Such an amazing story of God’s faithfulness to pass down to future generations.
He is indeed gracious and merciful … new every morning! I cling to that and totally lean into His grace. Love you, Sandi!