Anamchara

The Birthday Present

This past Saturday was my wife's birthday. Her only wish was to go eat a late breakfast at a diner in an old strip mall. This was quite an undertaking, as her brain tumor has caused her considerable trouble walking.

Debra insisted on using her four-pronged cane to walk into the diner, and she did so with her ever present smile in place. We shared a wonderful time together. As I went to the front to pay, she began making her way to join me. An older gentlemen stopped her and told her he was inspired by her attitude and determination. I overheard him ask her what was wrong - had she been in an accident or something. She told him she had a brain tumor.

By this time, I had joined this man and my wife, and he introduced us to his wife. He explained that they had moved into the area to be closer to his son and his family, and he was the associate pastor of the Church of Christ. He asked my wife and I if he and his wife could pray for us, and after saying yes, we joined hands in the middle of this little diner and he prayed.

I don't remember much of what he prayed, as thoughts of gratitude were flowing through me. Didn't he know we were Episcopalians? What business would a conservative Church of Christ pastor have with some liberal Episcopalians? He didn't ask if, or where, we went to church. He just saw a need and he prayed, no questions asked.

We have lived in this small town all of our married lives, except for the college years, and we know many people. Ten years ago to the day, on Debra's birthday in 1997, she was in the hospital having seizure after seizure, as we tried to decide a course of treatment for her newly diagnosed brain tumor. This was the first time in all of these years that someone had offered to pray for her on the spot that I can remember, and outside of a church setting for sure.

We had planned to be in Austin for her birthday, as Debra was to start another round of chemotherapy on Monday. She had been wanting to visit our youngest son, but had not been able to because of her low white blood counts. A last minute request from another son to watch his dog had kept us in town. There is no doubt in my mind that God arranged for the four of us to be in that diner - we needed encouragement in the worst way. I thank God for Pastor Perry and his wife. Christ himself was telling us that he is aware of our circumstances and struggles. Pastor Perry and his wife were the vessels he used that day. What a birthday present from a creator who doesn't miss a sparrow falling to the ground.

posted by Anamchara @ 4:39 PM