The Big Event
The morning of my surgery I saw my general surgeon who diagnosed me and spent once a week with me for a year. I had asked God not to let me just be a number to my doctors but let us be friends. He was an answered prayer. Another prayer I used early on was for me not to waste the cancer. I know God wouldn't but I wanted to use it to bring glory to God. My doctor saw me in October when I was going in for surgery but we did not get to chat. When I went in for my recent surgery he saw me and came in and talked with Mike and I and then prayed with us. When he left he kissed us both on the head. 2 Corinthians 13: 12, "Greet one another with a holy kiss."
This is the doctor who gave me my "stage" the day after I was diagnosed. He read scripture to me, prayed with me and then quoted James 5: 14-15, "Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven." My mentor, friend and pastor, Margaret, did just that and I believe that is when I was healed. This is the doctor who prayed over my ultrasound, with Mom and Mike asking God not to let Mom bury her child. The day before my surgery, he asked if I had told my girls I might die. He was very bold in his beliefs and I always knew he would be honest with me.
My doctor prayed and thanked God for the "big event" in my life that had been used in a mighty way. He also asked God to let me off of this carousel that I have been on for a while. Let this be the last surgery. His prayer was so beautiful and when he was finished I told him, "you know lots of blessings have come from this journey." His response is uncomfortable for me to share but I feel I should because we have no idea how God uses us or our circumstances! He said in the last nine years, every year, I hear, at least five times, "Jill Newsome". It is always how you have helped someone going through a tough time. He said through calling, texting, being a friend or writing you are making a difference and bringing glory to God. I was beyond humbled. I still can't believe God can use sinful me but He can! How can I not share what God has done in my life for other's who need hope?