Sunday, December 12, 2010

Pray without ceasing.

You know those people that you absolutely love, even though you haven't physically seen them for so many years you're embarrassed to admit it? For me, Jenny Nissen Pruitt is one of those people. Jenny and I met at Furman. She was my RA for the nite and a half that I lived in the dorms freshman year. After that, our paths crossed briefly in Baptist Student Union, and then, we were knit forever as members of the Furman Pauper Players. Jenny played Sarah Brown in the Players' production of Guys & Dolls, and I sat backstage and listened to her sing, sing, sing. Man, can that girl sing.

She can also write. In fact, Jenny is one of those rare individuals whose talent is endless - she sings! She writes! She writes songs that she sings! It's almost sickening. In fact, it would make me sick, if she weren't as likable as she is talented. Well, tonite, I was cruising through my blogroll when I came to Jenny's latest entry. In it, she writes of the daughter of her dear friend. Little Ansley was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 Anaplastic Large Cell (T-cell) Lymphoma. I cannot imagine what it would be like to watch such a sweet little child suffer through something like what Ansley is suffering. I can, however, imagine that the only way to make it through such an ordeal is through the power of prayer.

So I'm asking each of you to please pray for Ansley. Please ask God to heal her and to shower her family with grace as He does. You can follow Ansley's battle at http://prayingforansley.blogspot.com.

Thank you so much.

Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
- Mark 11:23-25

3 comments:

  1. thank you .. THANK you sweet friend. Your words are ALL too kind. You are SUCH a source of encouragement for me and once again you have encouraged my heart by praying for my friend and Ansley. I love you. When I get my tail to Greenville.. we are GOIN' OUT!!! --jenny p.

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  2. You promise?! Can't wait:) Come on down, Girl. Well, up. Come on up!

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  3. I am praying, with a full heart, for this small stranger. Upon reading the blog of Ansley's parents I stopped short at the following paragraph:
    "I CAN REST TONIGHT KNOWING I TOLD HER I LOVED HER, I SHOWED HER I LOVED HER, AND I TREASURE HER MORE TODAY THAN EVER. MAY THAT BE MY SAME GAMEPLAN TOMORROW. GOD, GIVE ME TOMORROW WITH MY SWEET ANSLEY. PLEASE GIVE ME TOMORROW."

    These parents know just what is at stake here. All of their tomorrow's are in jeopardy. How often do we assume tomorrow is a given rather than a gift? I pray Matt & Amy have another tomorrow with their little one. Each day must not be taken for granted for we know not what tomorrow brings. I am rebuked by their sudden wisdom though brought about through heart wrenching Providence.

    A favorite quote reminds me that I too, am grateful for today...

    “Did you say it? 'I love you. I don't ever want to live without you. You changed my life.' Did you say it? Make a plan. Set a goal. Work toward it, but every now and then, look around; Drink it in 'cause this is it. It might all be gone tomorrow."

    ...though I will pray with this family for another tomorrow.

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