We Need Another Miracle, Lord

June 4, 2008


Late last night I received an email from Michele Hoekstra saying that our dear friend Heather Bosgraf is having surgery today to remove a tumor at the base of her brain. When we were in Chicago ten days ago, we heard that Heather had not been feeling well, but it didn’t sound serious. “So much has happened today,” Michele said when we talked on the phone. Heather ended up in the emergency room where they did an MRI and discovered the tumors.

This isn’t Heather’s first bout with cancer. A year ago she was diagnosed with very serious ovarian cancer. After a series of treatments, and the prayers of many people, Heather astounded her doctors by apparently going into remission. When I saw her in early May, I hugged her and said, “I feel like I’m hugging a miracle.”

And now this.

As I talked with Michele, this phrase came to mind. “We need another miracle, Lord.” That seems to sum up the situation this morning. I felt comforted when I realized that the miracle we need this time is no bigger than the one we needed last time. And these things hit me when we prayed. God knew all about the new tumors long ago.

He knew about this cancer before Heather had the original cancer.
He knows what will happen during the surgery because he is the God of the future. We have no claim on God apart from his grace to us in Christ Jesus.

We can pray because we are his children.
He wants us to pour out our hearts to him.
He knows what we need before we ask.
Never has he made a mistake.
Never has, never will.

Our world is filled with hurting people.
I don’t ask the Lord to take away a miracle someone else needs.
There are plenty of miracles to go around.

They all come from the same place.
Anything good we receive is a gift from God.

Lord, may Heather sense your everlasting arms holding her up.
Grant to Kim (her sister) and to her parents deep, abiding, supernatural peace.
Guide the doctor’s hands.
Watch over all who assist in the operation.

We need another miracle, Lord.
Your will be done.

I’m not worried about Heather. Her faith is strong. It’s the rest of us who feel shaky this morning. Lord, have mercy. Jesus, have mercy. God, have mercy. Thank you for the promise of your presence. You will be with Heather.

Now and forevermore. Amen.

Do you have any thoughts or questions about this post?