Sunday, July 19, 2009

My Expert

Cancer is confusing. I'm sure this can be said of any serious medical diagnosis. Suddenly you are bombarded with a wealth of information, some asked for, much unsolicited. Even the doctors have differing opinions. It can be quite a challenge to wade through it all and make decisions. Don't get me wrong. I am grateful for the specialists who have expert training in their field of knowledge and years of experience. But it is confusing to have several doctors as part of your treatment team; and many other well-meaning friends, family members, even strangers telling you what is "best" for you.

I remember one day feeling particularly overwhelmed with decisions that had to be made and thinking, "I am thankful for the specialists, but I just wish I had someone who was a specialist in me, someone who was an expert in Laura Shook's cancer, someone who knew my history, who knew how my body was created and functioned, someone who knew exactly what was going on with my cancer, someone who had studied me for years, someone who could tell me what decision to make, what step to take, someone who was an expert in me."  

As soon as that thought passed through my brain, God whispered, "You do. I am that expert." And a flood of unbelievable joy and peace washed all over me. I can't even explain to you how it felt. I was laughing with the knowledge that God is a Laura specialist. He created me, He knows me inside and out. He is the one who prompted me to go to the doctor in the first place. He has watched this cancer form and grow across the years. He knew when it was time to begin treating it, and He knows exactly what I need to do each step of the way. He is even in control of all the other specialists! He is in charge of my case, not anyone else. How awesome is that! The God of the universe, my personal physician. Wow.

So no offense to any of my other doctors, they are the absolute best, but my hope rests in only One - Jehovah Rapha - the God who heals me.

"O LORD, you have searched me and you know me" Psalm 139:1.

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed." Psalm 139:13-16

"But the person who trusts in the Lord will be blessed. The Lord will show him that he can be trusted." Jeremiah 17:7

"Lord, heal me, and I will truly be healed. Save me, and I will truly be saved. You are the one I praise." Jeremiah 17:14

P.S. Happy 23rd Birthday to my David! I love you very much! XOXOXOXOXOXOX

5 comments:

  1. Now THAT's encouraging. It really does all come back to God, doesn't it? Jesus has watched all this unfold and has already set into motions all our treatment and restoration.

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  2. Today for YOU from YOUR Very Own Heavenly Father, Who is (present tense) Holding your hand. --
    Fr Ps 27: 1 YOU, LORD -ARE- Laura's Light and her Salvation--and are helping her to not fear or dread. You, Alone, Lord -ARE- the Refuge and Stronghold of Laura's life--may she not be afraid.
    2When the wicked, even her enemies and her foes (trials & sicknesses of THIS world), come upon her to eat up her flesh, thank You Father for making them to stumble and fall.
    3Though a host encamp against Laura, thank You Father that her heart shall not fear;(for at what time she is afraid, she WILL Trust in Thee) - though war arise against her, [even then] in this will Laura be confident. 4One thing has Laura asked of You Lord, & that - she seeks, inquires for, and [insistently] requires: that she may dwell in Your House, (in Your Presence) all the days of her life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of You, her Holy Omnipresent Father; and to meditate, consider, and inquire in Your Presence.
    5For in these days of trouble YOU ARE HIDING Laura (Present Tense) in Your shelter; in the secret place of Your tabernacle You hide her;
    Thank You for setting Laura upon a ROCK (YOURSELF)... (That Secure, Safe Place of Rest, Comfort, & Hope) 6And NOW Laura's head IS lifted up above her enemies round about her;---- in Your tabernacle (which is her very own little body, where YOU Dwell) she offers sacrifices .... she will sing, yes, she will sing praises to You, Most High.
    Thank You, O Lord, when Laura cries; YOU have mercy and ARE gracious to her and answer her!
    8You have said, Laura, Seek My face [inquire for and require My presence as your vital need]. Laura's heart says to You, Your face (Your presence), Lord, I seek, inquire for, and require [of necessity and on the authority of Your Word].
    9Thank You Holy Father that You do not hide Your face from Laura; .....You Who have been & continue to be Laura's help! ..You will NEVER LEAVE OR FORSAKE HER, O GOD OF LAURA'S SALVATION, & DELIVERENCE! Even, if her father & mother forsook her, yet YOU - Laura's God, take her up.
    Thank You for teaching Laura Your Ways O Lord, and leading her DAILY in a plain and even path because of her enemies.
    12Thank You for not giving her up to the will of her adversaries..
    13 What would have become of Laura had she not believed that she would see Your goodness in the land of the living!
    14Laura is Waiting, and her hope and expectation is in You O Lord;
    Thank You for helping her to be brave and of good courage and giving her the heart to be stout and enduring.
    Yes, she waits for, and hopes for, and expects from You, her King & her God!" amen & amen
    . I continue to pray the WORDS of The Living God over you! HE IS HOLDING YOUR HAND.

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  3. 86 A prayer of David.
    1  Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer;
    answer me, for I need your help.
    2  Protect me, for I am devoted to you.
    Save me, for I serve you and trust you.
    You are my God.
    3  Be merciful to me, O Lord,
    for I am calling on you constantly.

    I love you and continually lift you to the Lord for complete healing. You and others I know fighting this battle.

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  4. Awesome perspective, and refreshing!

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  5. God uses the doctors... thats the deal. He is the healer. :)

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