Into the Fire

We all have friends. Close ones. Faraway ones. Friends who’ve been with us, joined at the heart and soul, with commonalities and oppositions, just friends. Some believe as we do, and some do not, some hold the same opinions, and some do not. Some we use for counsel and some use us for the same. We laugh, we cry, we express our cynicism and our innocence (what we’ve managed to salvage) with them. They are and always will be our friends.

One of the friends in my life goes way back to when we were rebellious young women in the confusion of the early 70s and living “the dream” on the racetrack. My friend has seen me at my worst and now at my best (which is nothing to shout about by the way).  And still we are friends.

Neither of us is still in horse racing, but it was a huge part of our lives for many years. My friend eventually migrated to New York racing and has done many things in the industry. After a considerable time, she went to nursing school, got a Masters in nursing, became a Nurse Practitioner and has worked in her dual professions for many years now.

Elizabeth (Betsy) Grose faces cancer surgery this Monday morning and has been wrestling with the reality of it all for a few weeks since she’s been diagnosed. Like any patient, she’s miffed at her regular doctor for not heeding her concerns for symptoms that have bothered her for some time. She regrets not getting a second opinion when those symptoms persisted. Then came some more symptoms, and she sought specific opinions for those. Not too much later: here we are.

Facing a two-part surgery, and like any patient, hoping for the best while preparing for the worst.

Suffice it to say we differ in our belief system, and I hesitate to call knowing Christ a “belief system”. However, I know she needs prayer, and I’m relatively sure she appreciates it. Especially now.

My request for anyone who stops by today is to please pray for my friend Betsy. I love her. We know Jesus loves her even more. We also know Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He still touches the sick, the infirm, the lost. And heals. In every way. Please pray as the Lord leads you and remember Betsy today and in the coming days.

Faher, you know how I feel about Betsy, and I know how you feel about Betsy. The thing is you’re the only one who can help her here. Please comfort her and provide a good outcome to this ugly result of sin on planet earth. The stench of sickness and disease on a decaying planet. Jesus, please be real to Betsy today and in the coming days. Help her to experience the real and true joy of Christmas this year. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.