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Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16, NIV)
Twenty years ago, I was shocked to learn that my twelve-year-old daughter, Jennifer, had a threatening tissue growth that had spread into her jaw. I was told that her right jawbone would have to be removed; bone taken from her hip would be used to replace it.
Jennifer is the youngest of our six children. When she was only fifteen months old, her father was diagnosed with cancer. His death left me raising the children alone. It was a traumatic time in our lives, but by the grace of God, we all got through the tragedy and continued on with life. And now, just ten years later, here was another unexpected and sobering diagnosis. I really struggled with it. “Why is this happening to such a gentle, sweet, and kind little girl?” I asked the Lord.
Overwhelmed with sorrow and apprehension, Jennifer and I traveled from Kentucky to California, where the surgery was to be performed. The day before the surgery, as I sat with her in the hospital room, I took out an issue of The Word Among Us that I had brought from home. What I was really searching for were answers for my troubled soul and help for Jennifer.
I opened the magazine and read the Scripture passage and meditation for the day. Exactly what it said, I don’t recall. But I do remember that I responded by desperately calling on the Holy Spirit and asking for peace and healing for Jennifer. As I put the magazine down, I was enveloped by a complete assurance that God was with us. For the first time since learning about my daughter’s condition, I was feeling the peace and love of God. I walked over to the bed, laid my hands on Jennifer and prayed, assuring her that everything was going to be okay.
And indeed it was. The surgery was a success. When I thanked the surgeon and told him our family had been praying, he informed me that the entire medical staff had been doing the same. Today, Jennifer is married and has a beautiful little girl of her own.
As I see it, what happened that day in Jennifer’s hospital room is described in Hebrews 4:16, Boldly I approach the throne of God to obtain mercy and grace for help in time of need. Before I could do that, though, I needed a little nudge—which is what I received when I opened The Word Among Us to read the word of God and open myself to the presence of the Holy Spirit. Then his peace encompassed my whole being so that I was able to encourage my daughter and be there for her.
What did I learn from this experience? I learned that God is always with us and that his throne of grace is very near. I realized that he is always waiting for us to ask for and receive his grace and help for every situation. Through all these years since the surgery, I have tried to do just that. I come to God often—and I have rarely missed a day reading the Scriptures.
God bless you your trust. Among our prayers at adoration and always after the Communion, we pray:
I praise you Jesus, I adore you Jesus, I love you Jesus;
I praise you Jesus, I thank you Jesus, I trust you Jesus.
and repeat it at least three times. It helps.
The Holy Spirit is our loving Helper and Comforter. He is close to us when we call on Him. One of the greatest things we can do for our children and young people is to tell them about the Holy Spirit and His real presence in their lives and hearts. When I am troubled- He leads me on the path of peace… when I am hurting he is there to console! MAy our souls be in constant conversation with the hly Spirit of God!