Since last night, I've watched my email for updates on a woman that I've barely had the chance to speak with. She's fighting for her life and has been battling the cancer that is threatening her yet again for the past seven years. She has a devoted husband and two daughters and a son. I've watched one of my best friends as she has grown and gained knowledge and confidence under this wonderful woman's influence. In the past month, I've felt fortunate to get to know her through emails, text messages, and stories that others have told me. I slept last night thinking of her and woke praying for her. I called one of our church's temples and had her family's names put on a prayer role, so that they can feel the strength and love of prayers regularly throughout the day.
Maybe it is hitting so hard because I remember so very well how hard my mom was fighting cancer during a Thanksgiving Break from college. I remember driving for an hour to get to a pharmacy that was open so that I could pick up some sort of prescription pain relief for the open sores in the back of her throat. I remember getting home and her standing and baking so that none of us would have to do without our favorites for our holiday - if I remember right, I don't think she ate any of that meal. I remember that night after everyone went to bed, seeing a wig go flying through the air amidst giggles and exclamations that it was too darn hot to wear a wig with the oven on.
So, my first prayers of this new day were for Eileen and her family. The second were of gratefulness for my mom and her life.
Soon after Cajun Baby was awake and needing attention, food, a diaper change, and someone to play patty cake. Too bad that we were up throughout most of the night and it was not my day to be a mom...or at least to feel like a good mom. I said a third prayer for tolerence, patience and love. Cajun Man woke up and took CB for almost two hours so that I could sleep.
My fourth prayer was one of gratitude for an amazing husband who always manages to step up when I feel myself falling down.
I called and spoke to my friend, knowing how hard Eileen's fight must be for her. I listened to her express faith in her Heavenly Father and thoughts of celebration of life. I prayed yet again for her to feel comfort, peace, and wisdom. I called and added her name to the prayer role.
Another friend returned my call moments later. They have been traveling home for the holiday and were creeping across Wyoming on snow and ice at 30 miles per hour. Their sweet baby girl hollering in the background {maybe Cajun Baby's future soul mate? who knows?}. I got off the phone and sent another prayer to the heavens for a safe journey for this little family as well as patience, tolerence, and travel without contention.
Cajun Baby has been throwing monster fits this past week. Repeatedly and sporadically. I know there is something wrong. He has to be sick, teething, have a tummy ache, or maybe an allergic reaction to something new....but I haven't been able to figure it out. So, today I had to stay home from our Super Saturday to be with a cranky baby who has tried to do bodily harm to himself all day long. I prayed yet again. Then the mother of all fits happened unexpectedly. He hit his head on the tub, bit himself, and wailed while snot bubbles blew and drool escaped his open mouth. I picked him up and felt my shoulder muscles tense yet again as I fought twenty-one wriggling pounds and tried to soothe him to no avail.
I called my brother and he gathered up my dad and they came to help. As they prayed over him, it dawned on me what a prayerful day I had today. My son fell quiet. They hugged him and he grinned his snaggle-tooth grin while showing off his clapping skills. We walked everyone to the door and he snuggled down to eat and sleep. Ten minutes later, I laid down my sweet sleeping baby boy and ate my simple meal.
Oh, I am so very grateful for the power of prayer. I have never understood or felt it quite as much as I do as a mother. I have been suddenly aware how very much slack there is between what I know and can do and how the Lord can pick up that slack and make miracles happen.
One of my favorite quotes on prayer:
"No earthly authority can separate us from direct access to our Creator. There can never be a mechanical or electronic failure when we pray. There is no limit on the number of times or how long we can pray each day. There is no quota of how many needs we wish to pray for in each prayer. We do not need to go through secretaries or make an appointment to reach the throne of grace. He is reachable at any time and any place."
With that thought, I'll say a little prayer of gratitude that I can pray whenever, wherever, and for whatever.
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