Flashbacks

Today has been one of “those” days.  I have been having flashbacks.  I am remembering the suffering.  I am remembering the days where Paul was vomiting over and over…there was nothing I could do…I felt so helpless.  I am remembering those words…”Paul is terminal.  There is nothing left to do…”  I am remembering the whole hospice experience… I am remembering the fear of raising my children alone… I am remembering the day he died…he died laying right next to me…I reached over to feel his chest…there was no movement…I flipped on the light…I knew he was gone…I knew that his body was only a shell…the spirit that was housed in that body was in a much better place…I wept tears of joy for him and tears of sadness for me…

I am also remembering how I got through those tough times.  I am remembering how I am getting through these tough times. 

The last couple months of Paul’s life were spent mostly at home.  We were either at the hospital, doctor’s appointments or at home.  I am remembering a Sunday that I was home with him…I did not go to church that day…I was in the shower feeling very sad and distraught…the song “A Child’s Prayer” came into my mind.  As I was singing it in my head, I started to sob uncontrollably.  The shower was and still is a safe place.  I can meditate and cry.  It is my time…no children…no cell phone…nothing but me and hot running water.

Unbeknownst to me, at that same time, they were singing this very song in my church.  My friend shared that with me after I told her about my day.  Anyway, as I was singing this song in my head, I had a warm feeling (no it was not just the hot water) that God and my Savior Jesus Christ were there for me.   That, yes, my prayers are heard and answered.  They just might not be answered in the way I would like them to be or in the time frame that I feel they should be answered.

I have discovered through my trials that prayer is key to survival.  

Richard G. Scott said, “The counsel about prayer is true. I have tested it thoroughly in the laboratory of my own personal life. I have discovered that what sometimes seems an impenetrable barrier to communication is a giant step to be taken in trust.”

I have discovered that trust in God is imperative.  Back in October, 2013, I wrote a post on Trusting God.  If I trust God than I need to trust that prayer is a true principle.  The only way I can discover if something is true, is to act.  So, if I want to know if prayer really works, I need to pray!  

This I know.  Everyone can pray.  Everyone can receive help from God. God loves all his children no matter what religion or lack of religion they participate in.  There is great power in prayer.

This I also know.  Prayers are not always answered immediately.  We do not get everything we pray for because God knows what is best for us.  He knows our plan. Sometimes we do not recognize that our prayers were answered because we are too busy to notice.  Prayer is not about convincing God that your will is better than His. It is about aligning our will with His. Prayer is about putting your trust in Him, that He will be by your side directing you on your path.

Please watch! This song has a beautiful message!