 |
| Suzie Johnson |
I cried myself to sleep the day I learned my mother had cancer. Would she suffer? Would she die? She'd already been through enough emotional trauma and heartache in the previous year, I couldn't bear the thought of my sweet mother suffering physical pain as well.
In the hospital, after surgery to remove a good portion of the affected organ, her pain was deep, severe, debilitating. My sister and I could only watch helplessly as she suffered. We sat by her bed and prayed through the long night.
The next day when her pain hadn't lessened, the overworked and exhausted nurses were unable to do anything to relieve her pain. The medications didn't help and her pain grew more severe. My sister and I felt more helpless than ever.
That afternoon my mom had a special visitor. The hospital chaplain came to visit and she just happened to be a Catholic nun. Though the circumstances were heavy with worry and fear, I was still delighted to meet her since I've always had a fascination with nuns.
Nuns, to me, epitomize the love of Jesus. Their selfless love for others, their lifetime of ministry - it's something I greatly admire. But, as I was about to find out, there was something more to this gentle servant of God.
Beginning at her feet the nun prayed over every inch of my mother with gentle hands that moved swiftly back and forth, hovering about two inches above my mother's body - never once physically touching her. She prayed for healing and grace, and for my mother's release from pain. Though I could feel the love in the room, I had no idea I was witnessing a miracle. Twenty-four hours after her cancer surgery, my mother had no need for anything stronger than a Tylenol.
Jesus used the nun to perform a miracle - a miracle that not only healed my mother's body, but also filled her with the faith and fortitude to get through some even rockier times that were in her future.
Suzie Johnson (writing as Susan Diane Johnson) and her husband are the parents of a son who lives much too far away. Suzie’s debut novel, No Substitute, a contemporary inspirational romance, will be released by White Rose Press on November 30, 2012. Suzie is a regular contributor at Inkwell Inspirations. You can visit her at the following places:
SUZIE thank you for the beautiful testimony, it is so wonderful that GOD sends us just what we need, when we need it! He is always On Time!
ReplyDeleteOh how difficult that must have been for you and how amazing the turnaround was! Thank you for sharing this Suzie! And I know how blessed you are to have your mom now - your special movie buddy and more!
ReplyDeleteSuzie, it is stories like yours that warm our very souls and gives Hope to those seeking it. We, as believer's, know that miracles do exist. Thank you for sharing this miracle with us! My Mom went to be with Jesus in January of this year. My Mom received her healing at that time. I still miss her so.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that beautiful testimony with us here at OTT, Suzie. What a mighty God we serve! I'm so glad you are still able to enjoy many more blessed years with your mom!
ReplyDeleteSUZIE, Thank you for sharing your guest post with us today! Most of us contributing to this blog experience pain from various things. But having observed my mom in excruciating pain from cancer, I know it is vastly different. Thank God for that nun, your mom's earthly angel!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Teresa,. You're so right, and I've learned so much lately about His timing. God is so good!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Deb. I am so blessed to have my mom with me.
ReplyDeleteShe truly is a huge blessing in my life.
Judy, God bless you. I can only imagine how hard it must be. My husband lost his mother in July. We''re thankful when they're not suffering, but the hole they leave behind is so large and painful. I''ll be praying for continued comfort and peace for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana. You're blog is amazing and I'm so honored to visit.
ReplyDeleteOh Carrie, it tears my heart out that your mom had to suffer. I'm sorry you all had to go through that. Cancer is a horrible, unfair disease. I pray some day we can eradicate it from this world.
ReplyDeleteThat nun was an extra special blessing - there is no doubt. I wish everyone could experIence the same blessing.
What an awesome testimony! I've met mature christians of the Lord who were devasted that their family member WASN'T healed by the Lord, it's not always God's will to do that. I always just encourage them to pray for HIS will! How wonderful that you were able to have your momma back.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Melody. My church experienced three devastating losses in a row from cancer, and we were all so heartbroken that none of those (two of them young mothers) were healed. But all three of those women showed amazing faith and courage and were a huge blessing to all of us who prayed for them. Sometimes though, it is so hard to understand the "why?" behind cancer or any other type of tragedy or suffering. I'm just so glad we all have a Heavenly Father who will heal all our hurts even if it's not in the earthly realm.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this miracle story with us, SUZIE! It's amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you Marian. And thank you, Carrie, Teresa and Diane for having me here.
ReplyDeleteWow, Suzie. What an amazing story! And how cool to be witness to that miracle. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteOh Suzie, thank you for sharing such an amazing story. How agonizing it must have been for your mom and for you and your sister, unable to help her in her suffering. As you said, sometimes it's difficult to understand the "why", but we are so blessed to have a heavenly Father who walks beside us and holds us in His hands, no matter what.
ReplyDeleteThank you Stacy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story, Suzie. Thanks so much for sharing about witnessing this miracle!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for the release of your book!
MISSY, thanks for stopping by. We are so glad that SUZIE was willing to share with us, too!
ReplyDeleteSUSANNE, I pray you never have to witness a parent suffer from cancer pain. How awesome that God sent a helper for SUZIE's mom!!!
ReplyDeleteSUZIE, Wise words, thank you, yes--we don't know God's will in a situation and why he allows some young people to die. But we have to keep trusting Him.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks, SUZIE, for your empathy. One of the last things my mom talked with me about, and her friends, was to tell people to not go through with the horrible procedure she had done.
ReplyDeleteThank you Missy! You're so sweet. :-)
ReplyDeleteAw, Carrie. I wish I could give you a hug. Some of the procedures are so very invasive and it's always a mystery why one treatment helps one person but not another - or why one treatment makes someone suffer so much but helps someone else. I hope, in some small way, my job will help in discovering the answers. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this beautiful and encouraging testimoney Suzie. Am always so grateful that God holds our hands through these extremely difficult times... especially when we feel we cant take anymore.
ReplyDeleteHi Noela. Thank you so much. I'm so grateful, too. Sometimes I wonder how people who don't believe make it through the tough times.
ReplyDeleteSuzie, thanks for sharing your mom's amazing story. A wonderful testimony :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Narelle!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this testimony! My mother has stage 4 cancer in lungs breast and bone and lymph notes! And her kidneys are bad! I am just waiting for the news that she has passed out! I know I should have faith that a miracle could happen but I just cannot bring myself to believe. Yes I'm a christian and believe God can do anything but this just seems to leave me feeling hopeless!
ReplyDeletelikesmusic2@consolidated.net
my dear sweet mom-in-law passed away with cancer last summer...would love to read this to be able to share it and minister to others. Rhonda
ReplyDeleterhonda_nash_hall@comcast.net
Aw, Debbie, I'm so very sorry. I'll be praying for both of you - peace, comfort, and healing. God bless you both!
ReplyDeleteRhonda, I'm so sorry. My mother-in-law also died this summers from cancer. It was very sad. Your are welcome to share. Perhaps mention my web address when you do? susandianejohnson.com. Thank you. You all encouraged and blessed me today and over the weekend.
ReplyDeleteDEBBIE I am so sorry to hear that and we will be praying for you! Please feel free to come back and share any time--Diana and I both lost our mothers two years ago. Same for you RHONDA. My mom loved my hubby and he loved her and I know he has grieved right along with me.
ReplyDelete