In recent months and weeks, from time to time, I would ask for you (the faithful readers of this blog…both of you!) to pray for my friend Shannon…she lives in North Carolina with her husband and two boys. She and I went to Libery University together and graduated in 1996. There are several of us who have kept in touch over the years and remain friends to this day. She has been battling cancer for over a year now and she had brain surgery last month.
Well, things have gone downhill when it comes to her health… I have included this most recent update that came today and was written by her close friend…
Shannon has slipped into a coma and is totally unresponsive at this point. We are trying to keep her comfortable at this time. The Hospice nurse came by this morning. She thinks that within the next 24-48 hours Shannon will go and meet her Creator. The Hopice Nurse said she can probably still hear us, so we have been singing, reading and talking to her. Please pray for God’s mercy.
The boys are still in South Carolina. Please pray for them. Pray for stamina and strength for Roy has he cares for the boys. Please also pray for wisdom as he answers questions and comforts the boys…and prepares for the days ahead.
Please also pray for Tom, Gloria, Bob, Cheri and Mildred. They have been caring for Shannon around the clock. Please pray for strength and stamina for them as well. Please pray for peace and comfort…honestly I don’t know what all to ask you to pray for, but just lift them up. As you can imagine this has been physically, emotionally and spiritually exhausting, and there are still some long hard days ahead.
Please pray for Shannon and her family. Please go home and hug your spouse and kids and let them know you love them. Please allow God to be in charge of your life and your only source of salvation. Thanks for doing these things!
It is ironic that we are in the middle of a teaching series called "30 Days To Live". Life (this side of heaven) is incredibly short. It was when I first heard about Shannon’s cancer diagnosis a year ago that God really began to work in my heart and changed the idea of church planting from "someday" to "let’s do it sooner then later". What needs to happen in your life sooner then later??
OH Jeremy,
My heart just breaks for everyone touched by this sweet, but short life. I never knew her, but as a mother I can not imagine missing one day of my kids life and I am sure her husband is facing something beyond comprehension. God is faithful and never gives us more than we can handle, but it is so hard understand why this has to happen at all. I am praying for everyone and I am hugging my family really tight.
Jeremy,
I just read about you friend, and my heart goes out to her family. Having lived through the passing of my mother to cancer I feel deeply for them.
Not that there is any comparison– I lost one of my dogs today and she seemed to have suffered in the way that she died. My heart broke for her and I find myself struggleing with the fact that animals and humans have to suffer to that degree. I know that God is in control of everything, but I still cannot grasp why there has to be so much suffering. My mom kept her faith until the bitter end as we the family watched her suffer. The only thing she did say to me one day was that she did not know why God would just not take her. Any insight on this?
I will keep her family in my prayers and hug mine