Mom = Miracle is not a characteristic of one of my books (written years ago) but revisions to it had to be put aside to care for our mother, who was at that time diagnosed with a rare Sarcoma (bone cancer). Although I chose to put my ambition of becoming an author aside, I've never regretted these moments with Mom, especially, her amazing miracle that brought an event that my sister and I'll never ever forget...
Our hearts ached in disbelief as my sister and I sat with our mother while the chemo ran through her veins. Afterwards, Mom would be transported to either my sister’s place or mine. We each took turns taking care of her.
I stood at my second bedroom doorway, staring at my frail mother who rested in our guest-bed. The memory of my sister's words rose in the back of my mind, The doctor said she'll not be around much longer... my mind suddenly shifted, The chemo is what's killing her! I stared at my mom's lifeless body, filled with so much medication that she didn't even know what day it was; she couldn't even sit up long enough for anyone to dress her, or to be fed, much less get up to go to the next room, never mind anywhere else.
Although I had seen them... many little tumors poking out of my momma, my heart still resisted the doctor's prognosis just a few short months earlier. Mom, I don't want you to die on me now! Tears welled up as I turned for the next room, where I knelt down on my knees, sobbing before the LORD. After arising from His Presence, I believe it was at that moment that I found a type of peace beyond comprehension, as if His Voice surfaced upon my heart's ear...
Give her to Me.
“Mom, are you in any pain?” I asked, approaching her bedside. Amazingly, she clarified that she wasn’t. “Let's do this, Mom,” I gently suggested. “I want us to try decreasing some of your meds. Let's decrease some of your dosages just to see how you do.” Simply put, my hope was to see a bit of strength return to her, especially since I felt her medication had probably reduced her appetite. If she could eat, virtually anything at all, then maybe there was hope. “Mom, if your pain returns,” I added, “then we'll resume your meds, okay?” And she nodded.
Now, I’m not recommending anyone who is presently taking chemo treatments, or on any medication to do what I've suggested. In my case, what else was there to do—when the doctor had left us with no hope? It was MY mother, who was slipping away... almost… gone!
The only resort I had left was to fall upon the unseen Hand—the One that appeared to be the only reliable Source for Momma, I knew it had to come from Heaven. The silent words, Give her to Me, not only kept me on my knees in surrendering my trust fully to God, but also led me to seek deeper meaning in His Word; even to the point that I began jotting down healing Scriptures onto index cards for Momma. Every morning and every night, she and I declared His powerful Word over her (just as I've made it a habit of declaring it over myself today!)
Listen, you've heard, “There's power in the tongue,” haven't you? The power of our words can encourage and inspire, or it can hurt, even destroy. Did you know that many of us have taken up the habit (rather ignorantly?) of hurting ourselves by speaking negatively over ourselves and/or upon our circumstances too? In fact, many of us do it during our conversations (everyday!) without realizing it. I've done it myself... we all have.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. —Proverbs 18:21
With that in mind, Mom and I had decided to take up God's Word, allow His power to penetrate our situation by declaring His healing (Scripture) over her. We used many, but our favorite was...
Heal me, 'O LORD, and I will be healed...
—Jeremiah 17:14
In less than a month, Momma not only sat up in our living-room, but was able to hold her lunch plate and feast upon my home-cooked vegetables. A few days later, she was able to dress herself. I was especially shocked (and certainly overjoyed!) when one day, after washing up a few dishes, I returned to our living-room and found my dear mother outside, on our front porch—sweeping off the walkway!
A miraculous scene, such as this, led me to make a quick phone call to my sister. “I don't think Momma has cancer anymore,” I said, a smile forming as I watched from my window, our mother able to move about beneath the sunshine. “I think we need to get her an appointment for a cat-scan just to make sure.”
The doctor often shook his head in disbelief every time Mom visited him for checkups. Yes, our mother had become a cancer survivor! Our mom was able to continue life, with a place of her own, resumed her love for shopping, gardening, meeting old friends at her local community club... whatever she wanted to do... for almost fifteen years.
However, our 'Miracle Mom' later passed away with dementia (age 89). And I miss her terribly! I’m truly grateful that, it was us—my sister and I—who were given the opportunity to be there for our mother; our good times (and difficult moments, the tears and the laughter) we were able to share together with our Mom, especially the LORD's powerful Presence--and HIS miracle--present in our lives.
It's now Mother's Day season as I post this... Happy Mother's Day, Mom! We're missing you... Love you so much!