So Long Status Quo

Today I watched a Nichole Nordeman song come to life.

My husband, Scotty, and I had the privilege of getting together with Kris Lawing and his wife, Renee, at a Chick-Fil-A this morning. If you read this blog entry, you know that Kris is a childhood friend of my husbands who has recently been diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. Kris is just 36 years old, and he has a beautiful wife and 6-year old son.

Sitting at a table in the middle of a busy Chick-Fil-A, we laughed, shared a few tears, and spoke an agreed prayer for healing on Kris’s behalf. It was a sweet time spent among friends…old (in my husband’s case) and new (in my case). Our hearts were knit together by the Spirit living inside of all of us…and it was beautiful. Listening to Kris share his heart and journey with us was a true spiritual experience. I felt so honored to hear from him, almost guilty that I had the privilege of being in the presence of someone who has such direct contact with God in these difficult days of his journey. But it was truly a joy to sit with someone I am taking daily to the Throne in prayer.

Kris feels our prayers -- mine, yours, and all the prayers being raised up from Charlotte… to California…to Canada…to Poland! (Please continue to lift up Kris and his family and visit his website and minister to him by your comments on his guestbook. He is reading all of them and being so blessed in the process! And...please continue to spread the word about Kris and his story.)

In talking with Kris, one of the things that struck me was the sense of peace he has about his life and future. He shared many specific things with us, among them, something that happened when he was faced with the news about the cancer that has cruelly invaded parts of his brain. I hope he won’t mind that I share it with you…but it is just too awesome to keep to myself.

He said that when the results came back from the brain scan showing cancer, it was as if Satan began immediately whispering to him in his ear, “This is a death sentence. You won’t get to see those you love grow up or get older…you are done.” He began to become gripped by the fear the evil one was using to eat his lunch. He started to doubt and worry. And he proceeded to get caught up in the terror of the moment. But just as quick as the evil one's lies invaded his thoughts, he heard the strong voice of God saying lovingly to his heart, “You are on my timetable, Kris. I’ve got you, and I knew about this cancer a long, long time ago. Don’t believe what he is saying. Trust me.” Kris said the battle between good and evil went on for about 1 ½ hours, until finally, victory was had within his heart and mind. He said that in that moment, an inexplicable peace came over him, and he knew it was going to be ok.

God, the victorious One, won the battle for Kris’s mind…as He did the battle for Kris’s soul…and we believe when it’s all said and done, the battle for Kris’s life. We are praying with Kris for total and complete healing. As Renee so eloquently said today, “The bigger the problem, the bigger the miracle.” Now that’s some truth, friends. And it is, indeed, our prayer. It’s the prayer of Ephesians 3:20…“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” (the Message) Our prayer is the prayer of the FAR MORE!

I left today after meeting with Kris unexpectedly inspired, motivated, and encouraged. I felt like I had been in the presence of a true miracle, regardless of what happens on Kris’s journey. Kris is not unrealistic about the challenges that lie ahead for him, but he is also very optimistic that His powerful God…the great I AM of many miracles…is more than able to perform a miracle in his life. In fact, he is counting on it!

As we left our friends and pulled away from the Chick-Fil-A parking lot, I unconsciously started singing along to the Nichole Nordeman song playing on the radio, filling the car…

“So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave.”

My sentiments, exactly.

Lisa