Life Changing

It has been several years now since I received the news, "the results of the biopsy are malignant." The doctor than added hesitantly, "you have less than a year to live. I'm so sorry, but we should schedule surgery right away."

The dreaded news came as I was preparing for the Christmas holidays, so I decided to postpone any treatment until after Christmas so that we could provide a "normal" Christmas for my then, two young children - Nicholas and Michael. A small circle of close friends and family prayed for me and my family without ceasing. I cannot over emphasize the comfort and strength I received from the devoted prayers sent to our Lord on my behalf. Still, the nights were long and lonely.

In the meantime, the tissue sample was sent to the Cancer Institute in Washington, D.C. to seek a more definitive plan of treatment due to the rarity of this particular form of cancer.

The night before Christmas Eve was a particularly restless night for me. As I lay awake contemplating the next days activities - that year the whole family was coming to our house for dinner. In addition to the usual Christmas festivities - choir practice for the kids, family church, opening presents, and the beloved culminating candlelight service - I was overwhelmed . . . and in total despair.

I got out of bed and went into the living room and turned on the Christmas tree. The lights twinkled and the evergreen scent permeated the room. I curled up in an afghan on the sofa and opened my Bible. I started reading and came to the passage in Matthew 26:39 where Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane and asked, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Tears welled up in my eyes as I fervently prayed these words. As I finished my prayer I felt a closeness to our Lord that I have never felt before. Instantaneously my sadness departed and I was encompassed by the tangible warmth of His love and compassion. A complete and absolute peace was given to me as I surrendered my will to His.

I went back to bed and slept ‘safe and sound', that is, until the next morning when the phone rang...it was the pathologist in Washington, D.C.?!? He said, "I don't usually make these phone calls, but because it is Christmas Eve morning, I thought you would want to know as soon as possible. The tissue sample sent to me to evaluate was completely normal. Merry Christmas to you and your family!"

I sat on the edge of my bed and pondered the fact that I was touched by God and healed; but moreover, the night before I had experienced such love and mercy as I encountered a nocturnal visitation by Jesus Christ in the form of His Holy Spirit. Later, I realized that He is constantly seeking and waiting. His only desire is to have a personal relationship with His children-not just in the low points, but in the highs as well, and also in the dailies. He wants to share in every joy, every hope, all our fears and all of our sorrows. My wish is for all of us to open our hearts and accept The Gift of the Messiah this Christmas season. Let's experience anew or for the first time, the "WOW" of this wonderful, magical Christmas time and its true and everlasting meaning of peace.

Joy Briggs