April 06, 2025 Martha's Musings

I have learned through my many years on the St. John’s Prayer Team that the commonality of humanity is “Everybody’s Got Something”. Each and every one of us will, at some point, suffer a trauma of some sort. With my medical background, I know that traumas can be physical as well as mental. Frequently, the most horrifying traumas are the ones that happen to someone we love. Most people certainly get knocked down when they receive a scary diagnosis, but then they rally and fight. Their loved ones, however, really have nothing to do but be supportive. While the patient is busy receiving out-patient therapies of different kinds and keeping their appointment calendar updated, their loving family members stand by and watch helplessly, wanting desperately TO DO SOMETHING! Our natural inclination is to attempt to fix whatever the problem might be, and it is beyond frustrating to realize that despite our best efforts, this particular problem is beyond our capability to repair. Or as my friend Nelson says, “above my pay grade”. Nelson’s wife, Trish, who happens to be my best friend, was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Both are sincere Christians, so despite their fears, they did the best thing anyone could do: they prayed. Fervently. Often. They asked others to pray. And pray we did, as our Prayer Team prayed mightily, along with their church and Bible Study group, for a good outcome. And that is exactly what they were blessed with. The malignancy was removed, and the adjoining tissue had no cancer cells, which means the cancer had not spread. Oh, Happy Day! I received this great news on my phone while driving back to work after lunch, and I was grateful and euphoric just like my friends! Interestingly, I knew I had an appointment that afternoon with the practice senior leader and that this person was upset with me. I endured that meeting with a huge smile on my face, which the senior leader found irritating. But nothing, absolutely nothing, could upset me on that glorious day when I learned that my beloved best friend was going to be fine. It sure is easy to decide which things matter and which things do not when your choices are so completely different. Just another example of God’s unfailing goodness. I know that not everyone gets a miracle – and who gets what is definitely above my paygrade – but on this day, we got one. I can easily imagine that also on this day, others received devastating news. The plan is the same: pray fervently and repeatedly, handing it all over to God. Your sanity will thank you, and the Lord appreciates the acknowledgment. Whatever outcome one receives, the key to dealing with it lies in prayer.

Blessings,
Martha Arizpe, St. John’s Prayer Team