Liquid Prayers

I wanted to give you an update on my mom.

She started chemo yesterday.

My dad, sister, brother and I went with her to the doctor’s office.

We learned that it is definitely stage 4 gastric cancer. It is in her stomach and liver, and they found another spot in her lung.

We were very thankful to find out the results from her MRI. The cancer is not in her brain.

I was very emotional yesterday. I cannot explain the overwhelming love I have for my mother right now!

It is difficult to see her feeling so weak. But I can testify that her spirit is stronger than ever. She has such an amazing trust in her heavenly Father.

I was sitting with her in the room when the nurse came in to put the IV in Mom’s arm. Mom looked more beautiful than ever to me.

As the nurse was inserting the IV, Mom began to tell her how wonderful the nurses have been to her over the past few weeks. She said, “You ladies have all been so precious and gentle. You are the best! It has been like “heaven” here. I can feel your love in the care you give.”

As I sat in the chair and listened, the tears began welling up in my eyes. I thought, “There she goes again….encouraging others.” Even though Mom is going through the most difficult period of her life, she is thinking of others. She is always thinking of how to bless others. It’s nothing new to me. I’ve seen it all my life. It’s in her DNA.

I was trying so hard to be strong and not cry in front of her but then Mom looked up at me, noticed my watery eyes and said, “Oh, Traci…”

I blinked, and the tears began rolling down my cheeks.

“It’s okay, sweetie, you can cry.” she said.

I apologized for not being stronger and tried to “dry it up” before my older sister came back in and saw me. She had told me to stay strong.

Then she looked at me with such love and said, “You know what tears are, don’t you?”

I shook my head “no”.

“Tears are liquid prayers that flow straight to the heart of God.”

Oh, Mom, you have done it again. Always delivering the perfect words for my hurting heart.

“Then God’s getting flooded.” I said with a smile.

She sat there peacefully as they administered the chemo. Beside her chair was her Bible, some books on healing, and a tape with headphones on healing from her cousin, Peggy.

Her sister-in-law, Lois, told her to keep saying, “The Joy of the Lord is my Strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

Throughout these very difficult past few weeks, my mom has had JOY and has found much STRENGTH in the Lord.

My sister and I spent the night at her house last night to keep an eye on her.

She is doing surprisingly well. She feels tired, but has been able to eat.

She goes back for her next chemo treatment in three weeks.

I appreciate all of the wonderful comments you have left for me. My mom reads them too, and she is so thankful that I am receiving encouragement from all of my blogging friends. We appreciate your continual prayers as we continue this journey.

Blessings to you all!

Traci