Blessings

"The ability to find joy in the world of sorrow and hope at the edge of despair is a woman’s witness to the courage and her gift of new life to all”

~ Miriam Theresa Winter

This quote was included in my bible study time this morning. Today I read the first chapter in Ruth. The story of Ruth is by far my favorite book in the bible. I love to read about Ruth’s devotion and commitment to her mother in law Namoi. Ruth is a stout woman. She left the only home she ever knew, her friends, family and her own religion. She followed God’s will and she is now in Jesus’ genealogy.

Today’s devotion was just what I needed to hear from God. Although I shouldn’t I find it funny how God works that way. He seems to provide for us what we need to hear when we need Him the most or are struggling. Sometimes we don’t always realize that it was we need the most, but today was one of those days.

I first met Jackie Wilks when I was a freshmen at OBU in the fall of 2004. Along with Rhonda Brister, she lead our freshmen women’s bible study. I looked forward to this time each week. God continued to use these women to influence my life during college. They shared their faith stories, their triumphs and joys. Jackie loved horses. She used her horses to help children with disabilities. Each week students from OBU would come to her house to help run this ministry. They would tell the children bible stories, do crafts and then they would get to ride a horse. Jackie is always finding ways to minister to other people

In December 2009, Jackie was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Jackie and her husband Tom immediately left for South Korea where Tom had previously received treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Jackie was determined to fight. While in Korea not only did Jackie fight but she shared the gospel with those she came in contact with. One hotel employee even asked for a bible. One night Jackie passed out. She had a massive internal bleed. Jackie tells the story of how two women came in and saved her life. But these women were not alone they both saw another person in the room with them. They believe that the Lord sent an angel to watch over Jackie that night. Jackie was finally able to come home early this past summer. She began treatment at the Cancer Treatment Center here in Tulsa. As summer progressed her tumor makers dropped below normal and the scans showed that there was no tumor. It was determined that Jackie was now cancer free. Doctors stated that they had no explanation for Jackie’s healing except that it was a miracle from God. Jackie told her story to everyone. She gives glory to God for healing and wants to spread the gospel with everyone.

Tonight Jackie is in Cancer Treatment Center. This week they found numerous tumors in her lungs and abdomen. We pray for healing. We pray for miracles. God has already worked miracles in Jackie’s life and we pray that He will continue to work one in her tonight. We also pray knowing that God knows best. Jackie praises God no matter what her situation is. She fully trusts the Lord in every circumstance. When I read the quote above I immediately thought of Jackie. Jackie is one of the most joyful people that I know. The joy of her salvation overflows from her life and it challenges me to let the joy of the Lord overflow in my life. Jackie is a courageous woman. She has been through so much in the past 15 months. Jackie defines a stout woman. Strong, Courageous, Determined, and Brave. She continues to fight this battle as she has for the past 15 months and refuses to give up. She recognizes that her healing comes from the Lord.

Please join me tonight in praying for Jackie. She is fighting for her life and in tremendous pain. Pray that the Lord’s will is done in Jackie’s life. I know that true healing in this life or the next comes only from our Lord. In conclusion I would like to leave you with the lyrics from a song that I heard last night on the radio. It’s called Blessings and it is by Laura Story. The Lord has used this song as a comfort to me. It reminds me that many times we pray asking God for blessings, for healing and removal of pain. We get upset when the Lord doesn’t answer our prayers the way we would want Him to. I reminded through this song that sometimes God says no to our prayers because He knows what’s best for us because He loves us. I'm blessed to call Jackie not only mentor but friend. Tonight I praise God for the blessings He has given me. Even the ones that I didn't recognize were blessings at the time.

Father,

Be with my friend Jackie tonight. Watch over her. Keep her in your perfect peace. Heal her. Take her pain away. May your will be done. May you be praised in this situation. May people come to know you through Jackie.

Blessings

Laura Story

We pray for blessings

We pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom

Your voice to hear

And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

All the while, You hear each desperate plea

But long that we'd have the faith to believe

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us

When darkness seems to win

We know the pain reminds this heart

That this is not, this is not our home,

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

And what if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy

And what if trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are your mercies in disguise