Called by Name

Today Laura's husband, John, gets a turn to tell Laura's story of the day. Carrie drove from Philadelphia to Northville on Tuesday, just in time to beat the wind storm and dropping temperatures. Carrie and I arrived on Laura's floor at 10:30 in the morning, only to see her finishing her third walk of the day. The goal for the day the nursing staff had given was to take four. She had received a couple units of blood during the night and again had little sleep.

More flowers had arrived, blessing the floor with color and fragrance. Laura's sister, Bonnie Case, continued to provide special care as she has since Laura's surgery on Monday. We've been so grateful for her presence. Seeing Carrie also brightened Laura's day from the beginning. Then, a number good things continued to happen over the course of the day.

Dr. Malviya came and ordered her NG tube be removed, enabling her to suck ice chips and popsicles. Laura's gynecologist, Dr. Hakim, came for a second visit. On Tuesday he gave her a full assessment of their observations during surgery, which suggested that we may be dealing with a more complex cancer than had been hoped. This was a sobering message. On this day, his visit offered good grounds for realistic hope, an encouraging word that aimed at a cure of the disease. Then, interspersing these visits and additional walks Laura (she over-achieved by taking five "walks in the park") Laura started taking some solid naps. It was amazing to see a healthy color return to her face.

We have received such warm expressions of love from so many people: members of our church family, dear friends of ours and colleague friends of mine, a call and a prayer from Bishop Keaton, prayers and wishes of hope and healing from friends and family members all around the world, as far away as Shanghai and South Africa and as close as the nursing staff at the hospital and friends who have come and taken Laura's hand.

One of our friends, Rev. Kent Clise who is Pastor of our neighboring First Presbyterian Church of Northville, stopped by for a pastoral visit. During his conversation with Laura he asked her if there was a passage in the Scriptures that she was holding close. She told him, "Isaiah 43 - 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'" Kent added that the passage also speaks of God's promise: "When you pass through the waters, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." And he said, "This God who loved and protected Israel to such lengths also loves and protects you and calls you by name."

And so God does. We have seen it in the blessings Laura lived in today.