For the last month I’ve loved blogging about my favorite sister, Mary. But I know she feels funny having so much attention focused her way. But my idea, as well as hers, has been to update readers on her progress while simultaneously directing attention to the Lord, who has been dramatically present each day.
Several blog readers have made mention of beautiful St. Mary’s Hospital where Mary had her surgery (owned by Mayo Clinic), some having visited there themselves, and one having trained as a nurse there.
Just before surgery, Mary, Luke, and Stina took a brief walk around the historied hospital and ended up standing in the cathedral-like chapel, being reminded that God the Healer was at work within that medical complex.
Hospitals are full of doctors, nurses, medicines, and all manner of healing equipment. But behind all of those is the control of the Great Physician. And he doesn’t just deal in physical healing but also that of the emotions, mind, spirit, and most importantly, the soul.
One blog reader, Ann, wrote, “I loved… the chapel within the hospital. It was always a picture to me that God is at the center of real healing.”
I think of all the healing Jesus did in scriptural stories, and it seems that nearly everyone who asked was healed. People followed him in a pack, carrying the injured and ill along with them, confident that Jesus would heal them all. And usually he did.
In Luke we read, “The people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.” (6:19) So, why doesn’t he usually heal like that these days?
The only answer can be that he wants to use disease and accidents as teaching venues for healing in other categories. Maybe if our diseases were always healed outright, we’d walk away giddy with joy and forget to acknowledge or listen to the One who healed.
A biblical example of that shows 10 lepers racing off in their new, healthy bodies without acknowledging Jesus at all. Though one did come back, the majority didn’t. Maybe without our health struggles, we’d all be like that.
Mary doesn’t know what will happen in her earthly future, whether or not pancreatic cancer will revisit her, or if she’ll be healed. “There are no guarantees,” she said. But either way, her illness has driven her to the Lord with fresh eagerness to hear from him. Scripture has been her food, and she has gobbled up big helpings of it like never before.
Mary does have a guarantee about one thing in her future though. Her heavenly body, whenever it comes to her, will be miraculously healed, and that will include her heart, mind, and soul, too, because God will be the Healer who does it.
“I am God your healer.” (Exodus 15:26)
Mary’s prayer requests:
- Praise for gaining expertise with equipment and less dependence on pain meds.
- For a profitable visit with Dr. Truty Wednesday afternoon
- To find a comfortable position for better nighttime sleep