“While there is breath, there is hope.”
I read that this morning. How appropriate. This past weekend we (Jo, Tami and I) traveled to Ohio to see our daughter/sister, Janna, and our grandson/nephew, Braden. While there we received a call (Thursday) from the dialysis center that Jo’s sister, who is in a nursing home with diabetes, dementia, and other maladies, had suffered what they thought was angonal breathing (Google it). They took her to the ER and admitted her. From that point we were 2+ hours away. From our home in Indiana we are 6-7+ hours away. Long story short, they believe she actually had some type of seizure and then admitted her that night to the ICU with another one. We received word yesterday afternoon (Sunday) they were releasing her to the nursing home.
“While there is still breath, there is hope.”
Vicki has lived a long life (74 years). Not so a 5 year old boy named John (named changed). John has had a glioblastoma since sometime in 2022. (Sorry the exact date escapes me). Long past the expected lifespan, John continues to fight as do his parents and doctors. As do I. Only my fight is the prayer version. I will pray until John breathes his last breath…or me. It would thrill me if my last breath was before his.
What a testimony it would be if John was healed. Only God knows, of course. Only God decides when each of us will die. He does not heal everyone, least not physically here on earth. But He has promised a great retirement plan for those who love Him, and especially children. Psalm 139:16 says, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” (ESV). Our days are known only to Him.
“While there is breath, there is hope.”
Thank you to Lori Hatcher. That statement was from her book Refresh Your Hope published by Our Daily Bread.
So true, Bill. My dad received Christ 12 hours before he died. It was something we had prayed for for decades. As long as there is breath, there is hope!
You know exactly what I am talking about then Pam! Thanks for sharing that lift.
Only God knows the number of our days. Praying for Jo’s sister and little John. Do keep us updated, Bill.
Blessings!
Very true Martha. And I will do that.
As you have stated, only God knows our exact time. Only God can know the reason.
It is hard to see those so young fighting so hard appearing to lose the battle. I will join you in prayer. My prayer is not just a life, but a life of joy. A life with smiles, a life with memories made. My prayer is for removing any pain. My prayer is for the family that they may cherish everyone moment whether it be days, weeks, months or years.
Thanks for joining me in prayer Ryan. Your prayer has been mine.
Seeing children with cancer or illnesses is such a heartbreaking sight. Not always understanding why prayers do not bring healing, is also hard to accept or to understand. There are so many things we cannot understand on this side of eternity. As Job learned, we do not have the mind of God, and we can not understand all of His ways. We have to lean on God’s promises and always remember how much He loves us. We may not always understand His timing of calling someone home but we each have a time when we will be called.
Heartbreaking is understating it Gail. It wrenches my heart out. And not understanding why prayers aren’t answered when said in faith is one of the mysteries we will probably never understand. I’m guessing that is where faith in a loving and all-knowing Father comes in.
That verse you shared was such a comfort to me this morning. To know that God was thinking about my days long before I was even born is just overwhelming to me. Oh, the great love He has for each one of us! This verse reminds me of one we were recently discussing together in my ladies’ Bible study. Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” See what I did there, Pastor Bill? I quoted the ESV just for you! Have a great day!
You made me chuckle Cheryl. That is always good. 🙂 I’m so proud of you! On the serious note: that verse is further confirmation to me of our uniqueness as God’s creation.