I originally posted the following on my personal Facebook page on June 30, 2020. I am posting it here 1) for posterity 2) because I don’t trust Facebook and 3) this will be a foundation for other posts I want to write later and other things I want to talk about with you.
14 years ago my dad was rushed to the hospital because a cancerous tumor exploded his colon. After surgery the doctor said, “He’s eat up with cancer and he’s not going to make it.”
That was just minutes post-op and when my mom relayed those words to me– seconds after I had driven from my home in Birmingham, with my little Lydia in the infant carrier. The only thing I could say in response was, “That is not true.”
I don’t really know where that came from. I wasn’t sticking my fingers in my ears and saying “nah-nah-nah-nah, I can’t hear you!” Looking back, I think, maybe it was Holy Spirit speaking to me. My mind may not have been 100% convinced, but I think my spirit was.
And I don’t know how to say it any better than this but God healed my dad. A few days later, that same doctor came back in to report on the pathology of the cancerous tumor and said, “You know, we’re not really sure if it was cancer.”
Although they suggested he have chemo at the end of the whole ordeal, they called it a “mop-up chemo”. Quite a different story from a week earlier when they said he wasn’t going to make it.
Daddy has been cancer free and continues to do what he has always done–serve people and love them well. However, 3 weeks ago, we found out he had another tumor in his colon. And 1 week ago he had surgery to remove it.
Two days ago, the doctor gave the diagnosis of “Burkitt’s lymphoma”, a high-grade, rare, aggressive cancer. Which is apparently the worst kind you can have. He is at home healing now (from 24 days of not eating and some really Frankenstein-looking staples in his stomach) before they want to begin an aggressive chemo.
I know what you’re thinking, “Amanda, God didn’t heal your dad. That’s silliness. It was just a wrong diagnosis. They got the tumor out and he was better. That’s all. If God had healed your dad, then he wouldn’t have this cancer now. And if he did heal him, then how lame is God now?!”
And you know what? I may have agreed with you until that last part. God is not lame now. In fact, I have been more convinced than ever these last few weeks and months of the MIGHTY POWER of God.
God is not a Bible story. He’s not a Pinterest image. He’s not an old Grandma I go to for comfort. God is the Most High. Yes, the Highest over all. Over creation, over people, over sin, hate and even disease.
God is Almighty. Mighty to save from sin and death. Mighty to send peace in the middle of the worst storms. Mighty to empower the weakest of believers.
God is There. In the middle of all the pain, all the horribleness–God is there. And to quote a new fave song, “Even when I don’t feel it, He’s working.”
God is the Rock. He is a firm foundation when our life seems to be washing away and crashing around us.
God is the Provider, the One who saves, the one who waves a banner of victory over our battles, the attentive Shepherd, the true Helper, the Light in the darkness and the Healer.
So. Now that you’ve heard the problem, and heard my solution, I have 2 requests:
1–Pray for my dad. His name is Darrell and if you know him, you love him. There is no one like him. I know people say that about their dads, but really. There’s no one like him.
But here’s my caveat: don’t pray with sadness about this terrible thing that’s happening. Pray to the MOST HIGH, ALMIGHTY God. Ask Him to deliver my dad, not because my dad deserves it or because there are X amount of people praying but because Almighty God is able, willing and strong.
If that makes you feel weird, then it’s ok, you don’t have to pray. But I believe bold prayers and bold belief honor God.
2–If you have made it this far just so you can roll your eyes at my close-minded faith or because you’ve never heard anything like this, I have a challenge for you. Grab a Bible or download one (YouVersion) and start reading the Psalms.
I promise you, you’ll be impressed with God. You’ll see a God who delivers in the worst of times, a God who provides, comforts, protects and demonstrates his loving faithfulness to every one at all times.
Intrigued yet? Ready to hear the rest of his story? Part 2 coming soon…
