The Weekly Encourager – February 6, 2012 – How to Help: Presence

This is part 3 of a 3-part series.

HOW TO HELP THOSE WITH CANCER OR OTHER SERIOUS ILLNESS

PRESENCE

Today I will share more quotations from Brion and Laura Ferratt. Their heartfelt words convey the importance of “being there” for those suffering serious illness.

Laura wrote: “Emotional needs are fully met. You have all prayed faithfully, sent cards and emails, phone calls and materials to read and meditate on. God is in the midst of each and every one of those precious gifts. So many times, my girlfriends have loved me by sending me a note, calling, praying with me, taking me out to lunch. They have encouraged me when I was feeling desperate and worn out. My prayer partner has been "on call" for me 24/7; our pastor has come over to our home into the wee hours of the night to help us when we've had difficult times....See, oh SEE!!!! The beauty and all-sufficiency of Christ?

“Boy, I do! I see Him, and am moved to tears continually. Nothing is too small to escape His notice. He gives more and more and more each day. Even in the hard times, especially in those times, He meets us where we are, and gives HIS PEACE that can't be understood by natural human minds.

“One of our dear friends in the Lord, a gentleman named Bob Cook, who has been attending our church in recent months, has cancer too. He has been a huge encouragement to Brion and to me, as he has shared in our trial and has been praying for us even as he is undergone treatments for cancer himself. Bob is not doing well; his cancer is a very aggressive brain cancer, and the tumor is now affecting the function of major body organs. Our hearts are heavy as we see Bob suffer and his wife Cathy and his sweet family. But even as he lay dying, Bob encouraged us that the important thing is God's glory. What really matters, he said, is that we look each other in the eye and share our real struggles, and show His grace to each other....I am so sad I won't get to know this precious soul better, but the friendship we have shared has been fast and true, because it is rooted in God's love....May we all live with God's glory being our chief and highest purpose.” [Mr. Cook has since passed away. Brion and Laura will resume that precious friendship in Heaven.]

Another time, Laura wrote, “Thank you for letting me 'vent' and for the prayers that I know you will lift to the Lord for Brion. He is a trooper, and rarely do I see a hole in the armor, but you know they've just got to be there-----daily grappling with pain and fatigue wears a person out. I am so glad to be able to be specific and honest and know you all are out there carrying our burden with us. You lighten our load, and we love you for it.”

Later, Brion wrote, “I find this true for Paul and no less for me. As I ask for and receive your prayers, read your Guest book signings, receive cards, letters, gifts of meals, fruit basket, a blanket, help with to-do’s around the house, etc., the power of Christ is resting on me. Borrowing from Puritan John Newton, 'God has comforted my soul; and as my troubles have abounded, my consolations in Christ have abounded also. He has delivered, he does deliver, and in him I trust that he will yet deliver me.'

“The beauty of the Church is seen in its love for one another. Freely people of God have received grace and forgiveness in Christ; freely they are able to give to those in need, particularly those in God’s family. Because of the common relationship members of the Church have in Christ—the one who removes the deepest guilt and shame—Christians are empowered to serve others and especially freed to comfort others and help remove the pressure another member might feel in asking for assistance in time of need.

“Please know how blessed and appreciative Laura and I are for your kindness to our family in our time of need. It feeds our faith and spurs us to rejoice in the assurance that all things work together for good. (Rom. 8:28) Further, your kindness prepares us all the more to pray for, serve, and comfort you in your time of need. Until then, this is sent with love, Brion.”

May you be blessed and encouraged by these words.

God is faithful,