God Understands

I believe in prayer. There are times that I have words a’plenty to share with my God. There are other times when words fail me and I weep before Him, knowing He hears and understands the groanings of my heart.

We do not know what we ought to pray for, 

but the Spirit himself intercedes for us 

with groans that words cannot express. 

Romans 8:26, NIV

These past two days have been days of “groaning.”

But the story doesn’t begin with what has happened this week. It began many MANY years ago. A new family moved to town. They had three children about the same ages of our three children. They began attending the church where my husband served as Senior Pastor. They became more than parishioners, though; they became dear friends!

Cheryl and I would meet occasionally for “marathon lunches” (yes, they lasted hours!) and we would talk about everything imaginable. I relished those times. We both loved being mothers. Though our children were young, we each prayed that someday we would be good mothers-in-law.

Cheryl fulfilled that dream. If memory serves me correctly, it was eight years ago that her oldest son married a wonderful Christian young woman named Jenn. They were well suited, and their love for each other and their love for the Lord was so evident. Jenn truly was like another daughter to Cheryl. I watched from afar (we’d moved away) as my friend Cheryl became the kind of mother-in-law that we both had wanted to be.

Life was not perfect, I’m sure, but it was very good.

Then a few years ago, Jenn was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Radiation and chemotherapy did what it needed to do. Then she was diagnosed with Lymphoma and again faced chemotherapy. Chemotherapy again did what it needed to do. 

Jenn leaned on the Lord and He worked through her to touch the lives of many - doctors, nurses, technicians, friends, family, even mere acquaintances. 

Last month, some new health issues developed and Jenn was put in Hospice care. Her final days on earth were short. She is now singing with the Lord she loves. But oh how she is missed.

If you'd like to read/hear more of Jenn's story, check out her blog: Living to Love.

I spoke with my friend Cheryl on the phone mere hours after I heard the news. Her voice was weary (which is understandable) but her faith is strong and she is depending on the Lord’s strength. I assured her that I am praying for her. And I am! I pray that God will hold her close during these tough days. I pray that she will cherish the many happy memories that she has. I pray that she and the entire family will be comforted. But mostly, I groan because I have no words. I am so thankful that I pray to the One Who hears my groans and understands even when I do not have the words to communicate.

God understands 

our prayers 

even when we 

can’t find 

the words 

to say them.

Thank you for letting me share from my heart today.

Here's the inside of my card:

Rick, Cheryl, Nate, Derek, and Haley... I'm praying for you!

This is my 104th card in the 100 Cards in 100 Days Challenge.

Quote: Our Daily Bread Pray

Sentiment: Stampabilities I'm Praying for You

Image: Praying Hands (vendor unknown)

Ink: Memento London Fog and Versafine Onyx Black

Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Blue Bayou and River Rock

Designer Paper: from my scrap file

Embellishments: Michael's Rhinestones