HIS FACE IN MY JOURNEY
The Power of Prayer
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God, and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your
heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7
One week before my post-op appointment, I found an irregular looking spot on my elbow. When I asked my
surgeon about it, she looked a bit concerned and said I should have it evaluated by a dermatologist ASAP. I
anxiously left her office. As soon as I got to my car, I called information to get my dermatologist's number right
then, so I wouldn't have to wait until I got home. Now, I knew the number was listed because I had just recently
looked it up. But THEY COULD NOT FIND IT! Trying to keep my composure, I began the long drive home. The song
"Living on a Prayer" came on the radio and I realized that I had forgotten to pray. So, I prayed right then. I thought
about the fact that it was late Friday afternoon, and I would probably be stuck waiting at least through the weekend
before I could be seen. My anxiety level reached new heights until a thought popped into my head. I would be driving
right by my dermatologist's office; maybe I could just stop by and maybe - just maybe - they would see me today! Now I knew this was a crazy idea because my dermatologist is highly reputable throughout the whole state and long wait times for appointments were inevitable. But I prayed and I prayed and asked God for His mercy. As I was pulling into their parking lot, still praying, the song "In the Arms of Angels" came on the radio. Tears welled up in my eyes, a peace came over me, and I knew that I would be seen.
The receptionist was extremely kind and sympathetic to my situation, and said she would see what she could do. I couldn't help but notice that her name was "Christine", the same name as the woman through whom God saved my life. A few moments later she came out to tell me that, yes, I would be seen! I was relieved and grateful, and immediately I began to praise God! I knew that this small miracle was all Him. Upon examination, the physician's assistant said that it could be nothing, it could be atypical, or it could be melanoma. My options were to have a
plastic surgeon remove it at a later date, or I could have her remove it right then even
though it would leave a huge scar. She informed me that breast cancer patients have a higher
incidence of skin cancer so, as you can guess, I chose the scar! I would need to wait a week for
the results. I felt like I was on a roller-coaster ride that had spun out of control.
I drove home filled with joy and thanksgiving, blown away by the Lord's presence, mercy and compassion. I thought about the biopsy and began praying Psalm 139: "Search me O God and know my heart..." Was there some area of sin that I was overlooking? Why was this happening now, when I had already been through so much? Amid the rapid-fire questions permeating my mind, I resisted the urge to succumb to self-pity and did what I knew best -- I prayed. And as I poured my heart out to God, He plucked me off that roller-coaster and placed me into His lap where I nestled my head into a pocket of peace. I knew right then that my biopsy would be negative -- and it was.