Wendy’s Journey: A Testament of Faith and Healing

Well, I’m a day late getting the verse out this week — we were in Houston over the weekend for a memorial service for Wendy, my wife’s sister.

Wendy had spent most of her life far from God. Here’s the embarrassing truth: we had been praying for her for years, yet when she finally turned toward Him, we were still surprised — and of course, delighted. Her journey began like most of us, in a moment of desperation. Cancer arrived, and with it, a longing for healing. It’s a very human thing, isn’t it? In spite of God coming to earth for us, living and dying and rising for us, we still come to Him wanting more. But something beautiful happened in Wendy over time. God stopped being a means to an end and became the end Himself. She didn’t just want what He could give her — she wanted Him.

In March of last year, she texted us: “He [God] has a plan for all of us & I believe his plan for me is to get to know My Lord and My Savior!! I’ve been seeking him with a thirst and haven’t quenched it yet!! So, it’s with him that I shall live!!”

What a gift it is to receive words like that. The last text I have from her came from a thread my wife JoLynn started this past December:

• JoLynn Sent: What lies at the heart of Christmas, & whispers to every soul is the most stunning & significant fact that God himself became one of us.—David Mathis.
• Wendy: To save us from ourselves!!
• JoLynn: And to save us from a life without Him!
• Wendy: Yes! Ya know Sis, I Prayed every night before going to sleep since I was 22 & never truly knew God. I believed in God, but didn’t know why, I just did! Still worshipped him & feared him & again didn’t know why!! Things that make U go Hmm 
• JoLynn: He was always calling U Wendy. He never stopped. I am so glad. 
• Wendy: Me Too! I’m Truly Blessed! Riding with God.

You can’t read that exchange without seeing God’s patient, relentless pursuit. And it leads me to our verses for the week —verses that remind me of Wendy, like a Psalm she could have written.

Listen and be happy, while I brag about the LORD. Praise the LORD with me. Let us honor his name. I went to the LORD for help, and he listened. He saved me from all that I fear. Look to the LORD for help., You will be accepted… Give the LORD a chance to show you how good he is. What blessings there are for those who depend on him! Psalm 34:2-5,8 ERV

Wendy also reminds me of a line from The Hillbilly Thomists’ song Bourbon, Bluegrass, & the Bible. It goes like this, “Baptized at a 105. Not a life well lived, but a life well died!”

Be encouraged and keep praying for those who seem far from God. All those who are breathing are still within His reach.

Dan