Trials come to each of us, but the question or test becomes what, or who, will you turn to?
My 14-year-old bouncing, bubbly, grandniece, Talia, who appeared fine when she came flying through my house on Saturday was found to be critically ill the next day. She had intermittently complained about pain in her side so her mother took her to the doctor who ordered some scans. The day after the scans were done, an urgent call came from the pediatrician instructing my niece to take Talia to Children’s Hospital as soon as possible. It was discovered that Talia was carrying around a tumor so large that it covered her kidney and was dangerously close to her aorta. In fact, it was so close to the aorta that the doctors were initially skeptical about operating for fear that she might ‘bleed out.’ Needless to say, this was a moment of crisis for everyone involved. My immediate response was horror – and then to collapse in tears while calling on God. Knowing that God is our ever present help in the time of need (Psalm 41:1), my spirit quickened within me and I announced to my nieces who had gathered at the house, “It’s time to pray.” The ancestors always said, “Prayer changes things,” and because I am no stranger to trials, I know that to be true in my life. Not only did I pray, I grabbed the two other nieces with me and we prayed. Then I emailed all 60 plus members of my choir and they prayed. A chain of prayers began that I’m sure stormed heaven’s gate for Talia.
The doctors were almost certain this was cancer, but the question remained, how do they get this tumor and spare her life? Talia’s blood pressure was so high that it became necessary to hospitalize her, which allowed them to do further testing. Every report seemed worse than the one before and we now learned that there was also a spot on her lung. This revelation led the doctors to schedule surgery the next day. In the Bible, Paul speaks about praying “without ceasing” (1Thessalonians 5:17); that Monday was dedicated to everything I did being a prayer for Talia. I wrote her name at the top of every page in my note pad as I listen to my clients who came to release the troubles weighing upon their heart; and my spirit man sang the song “There’s a miracle in this place with Talia’s name on it.”
Six hours after going into surgery, the doctors elatedly reported that they were able to get the entire tumor which weighed 5 lbs. Unfortunately, they were not able to save her kidney. Shouts of praise and thanksgiving went up that she made it through the surgery and I rushed to the hospital to lay eyes on her and her mother. Talia was in the ICU and in pain, but that was to be expected. I held her hand and prayed with her and her mother before leaving the hospital. The next morning, 7:00 a.m., I was startled by a call from Tania, Talia’s mom. She thanked me for coming and all the prayers but she said, “Aunt Gail, I have something to tell you. It’s something Talia said to me when she woke up this morning.” With my heart now pounding with anticipation as I listened, she said that Talia told her that during the operation a man came to her and touched her hand and told her to ‘calm down; she was going to be ok and he would be with her.’ She told her mother that she calmed down and then she didn’t see him, but he came back later and told her she was going to be ok and for her to tell her grandmother that he loves her and happy birthday. Talia told her mother that she had never seen this man before but with the instructions he gave Talia, Tania knew exactly who it was. All the great grandchildren as well as the grandchildren refer to my mother-in-law as Grandma. That day was her 89th birthday. Tania took out her phone where she had a picture of her grandparents on their wedding day. She showed the picture to Talia who immediately responded “That’s the man mommy. That who was with me during my surgery.” God never ceases to amaze me.
To all of you who are facing fiery trials, look up. Prayer does change things, and God is still in the miracle-working business.
P.S. Please keep Talia in your prayers. She still is facing the giant of cancer, but the same God that brought her through that, is well able to bring her through this.
Peace and Blessings…..Gail