Pray for Faith

Those who have read my book, On Borrowed Time, may remember the story of Faith (if you haven’t read it, you can purchase it at our store). Despite her name, Faith did not grow up in a Christian home. In fact, the brokenness of her upbringing led her into a life of intense struggle for several years, including drugs, alcohol, rape, and an abortion. During a road trip with some friends one day, a tragic car accident left her in a coma. No one expected her to recover. 

But miraculously, she did recover. By God’s grace, she recovered fully. And by God’s grace, she eventually became a follower of Christ and found spiritual healing as well. That’s when she really started growing into her name. 

It is her faith in God that continued to strengthen her and give her peace for the journey ahead. A journey that has been far from easy. She has had numerous heart issues, threatening her life multiple times.  

Most recently, Faith was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma that riddled her kidneys, liver, left ovary, and skeletal system, with nodules found in her lungs as well.  

“All of the doctors were patting me on the hand,” she said, “telling me they were so sorry to meet me like this. They all expected me to die.”  

But, against all odds, she didn’t die this time either. By God’s grace, she survived. 

She asked God why He keeps leading her through the valleys yet continuing to miraculously heal her. 

She felt Him say to her two simple words: “Tell them.” 

So she doesn’t waste an opportunity to share with others what God has done for her. She doesn’t waste opportunities to share about God’s grace and power. 

After the cancer diagnosis, she was hoping that would be the end. That that would be enough for her to testify to others about.  

But then, one day recently she was sitting in the front seat at church when she collapsed onto her husband Rich. He immediately jumped into action, putting her on the floor and starting CPR. Another woman certified in CPR came over to help. The ambulance arrived in about five minutes. EMTs shocked her heart and then rushed her to the hospital, where it was discovered that her collapse was because her pacemaker had failed. 

She suffered some brain damage and spent a week in the hospital. Family came to see her, but she remembers nothing from that week. She remained unresponsive. Until the Lord once again miraculously brought her back. 

Due to her past heart procedures, she has developed a regurgitation in her heart, a leak in which blood is coming back from her aortic valve. From the constant attempt to take out that blood, another leak developed in her mitral valve.

Faith meets with her doctor this month to discuss and schedule another open-heart surgery – her third – later this summer. She said she wants to be a witness to her doctor. And she doesn’t fear what is to come. 

“I’ve always been a fighter,” she said, adding, “God is in control of my life.” 

Her physical heart may be weak, but her faith isn't. In fact, she said, “It makes me have more faith. I’ve seen all He’s done for me.” 

And because God does not change, she knows that He continues to be in control and is watching over her, no matter what happens.  

But as long as she is here by God’s grace, she said she wants to continue teaching others about how good God is, and to encourage those who might be dealing with similar struggles to not give up, to not focus on the physical pain, as real and scary as it is. 

“As you have fear, just call on Him,” she urges. “Speak to Him, ask Him to help you be strong, because He loves you.” 

“I don’t even have fears anymore,” she said. “I just know He’s going to take care of me.” 

Faith turned 70 years old just a few days ago. She said she is looking forward to celebrating her granddaughter’s second birthday on June 15. As she thinks about her upcoming surgery, she would appreciate your prayers for God to guide the hand and mind of her surgeon, and that her body will be strong enough to undergo the procedure safely and successfully. 

If all goes well, she wants to continue sharing her testimony with everyone she meets and whoever will listen, and she said she wants to stay around to teach her granddaughter, as she did her children, about God too.

“I believe God’s going to bring me back again,” she said, adding with a laugh, “I’m too feisty. And He’s so good, and I don’t think I’m ready to leave.” 

Pray for Faith. And pray for faith, that we might all have the same confident trust that she has in our gracious, compassionate, all-powerful Lord.