Category Archives: Prayer

Inspired by Iceland

Posted in Cancer, Healing, My thoughts, Prayer, Travel by

When I was suffering from cancer back in 2010 a lady had a picture of a volcano when she was praying for me.  During the colonoscopy the monitor showed the tumour of cancer.  It was a bulbous and fiery mass, like a volcano.  Today again someone mentioned a volcano in prayer.

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Back in 2014 I visited Iceland.  When I arrived there I read Psalm 18.  It perfectly describes a volcano.  Iceland has been built up out of the depths of the ocean by eruptions of volcanos down through the years.  Here is what the Psalm says.

The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. (‭Psalm‬ ‭18‬:‭5-6‬ NIV)

The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook;  Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it.  The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, Lord, at the blast of breath from your nostrils. (‭Psalm‬ ‭18‬:‭15‬ NIV)

He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. (‭Psalm‬ ‭18‬:‭8, 16-17‬ NIV)

Deuteronomy 4 v 24. For our God is a consuming fire.  God’s presence is likened to fire or a volcano.

On my visit to Iceland God showed me that he rescued me from cancer and death.  He was angry at my enemies of death and cancer coming to destroy me.  He burnt up my enemies in the fire from his mouth.

Who is like our God?  He will continue to deal with my enemies with the fire of his breath.

Psalm 107 v 2. Has The Lord redeemed you?  Then speak out!   Tell others he has saved you from your enemies.

There is Life after Cancer!

Posted in Birds, Cancer, Healing, My thoughts, Nature, Prayer, Restoration by

People coming to my blog site for the first time may wonder why I am telling stories about my family, food, garden, my holidays, birds, scenery, and not All about cancer.  I looked at my list of topics I write about and cancer isn’t even in the top ten.

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I thank God that he is faithful to help me as I have faith that he exists.  I do not have cancer in my body.  He is a living God who answers my prayers.  The power of the death grip that cancer had on my body has been broken by the power of the blood of Jesus.  Jesus died 2000 years ago but his sacrifice is effective today to heal me.  Jesus, when he was on earth healed ALL who came to him for healing, no matter what their condition.

There is no other person or spirit that can claim to heal or deliver and give abundant life.  Other spirits can heal but give you some other curse.  There is no other God that can forgive, love, bless, heal and deliver and give a new start in life and do all this for free.  Many people seek other remedies or therapies for healing of mind and body.  They will be out a lot of money, like the woman who came to Jesus.  She had spent all her resources to get healed to no avail.  One touch of Jesus garment brought her complete healing from an issue of blood for twelve years.

I now tell stories about how my life is being restored.  I am not just healed of cancer, I have new life experiences happening all around me.  My eyes are opened to see all the life around me, in my garden, in nature, in new grandchildren and in restored relationships.  If I was in the grave I could not write or tell of the wonderful things that are happening to me.  The grave cannot praise God.  I am alive to give thanksgiving and glory to God.  I now live for God.  The old Angela is dead but my new life is hid with Christ in God.  I no longer live but Christ lives in me.

English was not my favourite subject at school.  I had no desire to read books.  I know others who love books and can’t get enough time to read them.  My husband and I wrote a book about being healed from Cancer, Staying Alive.  Brendan has been writing for many years.  My book was the fourth book he has published.  I have learnt much from his wisdom.  I gleen from his hard earned experience.

I am surprising myself when I write a blog on the internet that is going out to the nations.  Psalm 71 says,

I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words. (‭Psalms‬ ‭71‬:‭15‬ NLT)

The Word of God gives us a wonderful promise.  Jesus came to give us life and life abundantly.  He says,

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ NLT).

The work of the devil is to steal, kill and destroy in people’s life.  He comes to steal our health through sickness and tragedy.  He is the thief Jesus speaks about.  Jesus defeated Satan when He shed his Blood on the Cross.

Jesus promise is true for me.  I am living a rich and satisfying life.  I do not have much money.  But who could pay a mother pheasant and her five chicks to walk across my lawn?  Can I pay for the sun to rise every day and give me light and warmth?  Can I pay for forgiveness of my sins and healing for my disease?  Can I pay for my son to catch fish for supper?  Do I pay for the produce that grows in my garden?

When I believe in God the Creator, and his son Jesus he gives me so much in return.  As I have faith in God he is faithful to help me when I need him.  He promises to be with me in trouble and deliver me out of it.  He will not forsake me now when I have grey hair.  I can highly recommend you my reader, no matter what age you are, to have faith in God Almighty, creator of the heaven and the earth.

O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and grey, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me. (‭Psalms‬ ‭71‬:‭17-18‬ NLT)

Young people may wonder “What is the point in my believing in God and obeying his commands?  I am young, healthy, strong, I have money, a good job, everything looks rosy.”  The prodigal son went off to see the world.  After many years when things didn’t work out he needed help.  I was like that.  I turned to God for help in my distress when I was twenty eight.  I tried to follow his ways since then.  When I was nearing death God was faithful to help me.  So the years of following God have not been in vain.  It is true God has not abandoned me now I am old and grey.

I am alive to enjoy the goodness of God in the land of the living.  Bring on the coffee and cake!

Do You Need A Physician ?

Posted in Cancer, Healing, Ireland, My thoughts, Prayer by

Perhaps you have come to my blog because you have just been diagnosed with cancer or you have a family member or a friend who has cancer.  I want to tell first of all do not be afraid.  I had fourth stage bowel cancer and I am healed.  You too can be healed by believing that Jesus can heal you.

When it was confirmed I had cancer I was in a daze.  I didn’t know what fourth stage cancer was.  In the quiet hours of the night when my family was asleep I would look on the internet to research the cancer I had.  After finding out the facts I then searched to see if there was any report on the internet of anyone that was completely healed of cancer. I found stories about how people changed their diet and how it helped them fight the disease. But I did find stories of individuals who were healed by the power of God.

Most of the testimonies were of people far away in America.  They were so far removed from me in Ireland.  Would God be interested to touch me in Ireland?

God reached down and healed me.  I am completely free from cancer now five years and I do not have to take medication. I chose to believe that there is a God who can heal all diseases.  I read about this God in the scriptures. If you are reading this, then please find a bible somewhere and begin to read it.  It will be medicine to your body, soul and spirit.  Try out this medicine. You take the advice of the doctor.  Don’t you.  Why not try God’s medicine.  Take it daily.

You can read about The God who promises to heal.  Jesus paid the price by dying on the cross and shedding his blood.  My advice to you is to believe in God and ask him to heal you.  He loves you and wants you to know that he can heal you.  If you have faith that God will heal you, then receive your healing.  It is a personal decision you make. You don’t have to be a religious, holy, or good person to be healed.  There are no conditions except to  believe that God will heal.  We have special doctors who help the sick but Jesus is the Great Physician and he is looking for you.  Be strengthened for the journey ahead of you.  Like me you may go through the fire but you will not smell of smoke.

They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: . (‭Mark‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬ KJV)

Family Friday. Have You Turned Your Face to the Wall and Wept?

Posted in Cancer, Healing, My thoughts, Prayer, Testimony Tuesday by

When one finds oneself with a threatening disease and facing death, all kinds of emotions erupt.  Why has this happened to me?  What will happen to my children?  People stay away because they feel helpless to make a change.  Clouds of fear and depression close in.  The disease advances in the body and death threatens slowly, slowly.

This happened to a King in Israel a long time ago.  Here is the story.

In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. 
The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: 
Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” 
And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 
Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. 
On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. 
I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’ ” (‭2 Kings‬ ‭20‬:‭1-6‬ NIV)
So Hezekiah’s servants spread the ointment over the boil, and Hezekiah recovered! (‭2 Kings‬ ‭20‬:7‬ NLT)

Imagine the king turning to the wall and weeping bitterly.  Have you ever been in distress about a situation, perhaps not only a health problem, when all you could do was lie on your bed and turn to the wall and weep?  Have you ever felt you can’t go on unless the situation changes?  One can think “Why bother doing good?”  “Why bother seeking to keep God’s laws?”  “Why bother denying myself when my friends get away with doing things they shouldn’t.  Nothing seems to happen to them?”

Psalm 13 describes how one often feels.

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?  (‭Psalm‬ ‭13‬:‭1-2‬ NIV)

I have turned to the wall many times and cried, particularly when I was facing death through cancer.  I was afraid.  I was sad.  All hope was gone.  But God saw me and healed me.  Jesus was moved with compassion and healed the multitudes.  Will he not have compassion on one person, that person being you or me.  

Hezekiah the king of Israel was facing death.  He was distressed and wept.  He didn’t just give up.  He reminded God that he had tried to live right before him and do good.  He put his case before God.  He talked to God.  He reasoned with God.  
God heard his prayer and saw his tears.  God changed his mind and sent the prophet back right away to tell the king that he would recover.   Isn’t that good news?  Take heart today that when you cry to God and reason with him he can quickly heal you.

I have more good news.  God has made a way where there is no way. Jesus died on the cross and shed his Blood to forgive all our sins and heal all our diseases.  Even if i haven’t lived right, if I believe in Jesus and call on his name and plead the Blood of Jesus before God our Father he will forgive and heal.  Having faith in Jesus brings results.

A young lady I know had Multiple Sclerosis.  Her condition had deteriorated till she was confined to bed.  She was no longer able to look after her husband and children.  She was being treated with medication from the doctor but she remained weak.  She cried out to God from her sick bed.  Through prayer she too has been totally healed, is restored to look after her family and has two more children.   

Another young pastor’s wife had cancer and she began to bleed. She was pregnant with her fifth child.  The doctors gave her pain relief and sent her home.  She was in terrible pain.  She reasoned with God.  “I have tried to serve you as best I know how.  Please heal me.”   She was totally healed in a few days.  The cancer passed from her body with no harm to her baby!  24 February 2015 “Testimony Tuesday, Young Mother Healed of Cancer”

Testimony Tuesday. Call In The Experts.

Posted in Cancer, Healing, My thoughts, Prayer, Testimony Tuesday by

If one is in any kind of trouble he wants someone who can help.  If your car breaks down you call a mechanic.  If you have a burst pipe in the house you call an expert, the plumber.  If the electric wires are not working you call an electrician.  You don’t call a plumber to fix the electrics.  If you need a house built you call a builder.  If you need to sell your house you call someone who can market your house.  If you need legal advice you call a lawyer.

If one’s body is the trouble he calls the doctor.  The doctors can help by diagnosing his disease.  He will give his professional advice and prescribe drugs or advise surgery if necessary. It is marvellous the advances in medical care in the 21st century in the west and we get to benefit from it.

I discovered in my research, that people who have cancer in Russia do not have the expertise we can avail of here in the United Kingdom. What can they do?

God gives experts in the Church who have different gifts to help the people.  Some people have the gift of healing.  So if one is sick call the experts in healing.  Call those who believe in God, who know how to pray, and help spiritually to bring healing to the mind and body.

Call people who believe God answers prayer, people who believe that God heals.  People who already have experienced healing.  One wants to be around those who have faith and who love and help one through the days of loneliness, fear, and sickness.

For one day I had the symptoms of sickness and wretching, side effects from having treatment from chemotherapy and radiotherapy.  Wretching alone made me feel weak and fearful.  My body and mind could not take any more pain.  I passed out.  During that morning two people rang me.  One lady felt The Lord prompted her to ring me and pray for me.  

Knowing God alerted someone who knew how to pray comforted me.  She prayed for me and she brought me peace.  My niece rang me and said God told her to ring me and pray for me.  He told her to remind me it was God who taught me to pray.  Again I was overwhelmed with God’s love for me.  He sent help.  I am so thankful God preserved me from pain, burning and sickness.  

Fear of death can overwhelm the cancer sufferer.  It can leave one with no courage to fight.  So one lies down under the sickness and loses the will to live.  I had been bleeding for three years from my colon but I thought it would go away.  I thought the blood could be coming from heamoroids or colitis.  I believed that God can heal and have prayed for others who have been healed.  At no time did I think of cancer.

I eventually came to realise my condition was not improving, but getting worse, I told my husband.  I needed others to help me.  We went to the hospital.  The doctor examined me and referred me on to the oncology specialist.  It seemed I had cancer.  I was numb and was relieved that my condition was discovered.  I now knew the truth.  I was too weak to care.  I had no fight left.  I was not in control any more.  I was now dependant on the help of experts, the doctors to diagnose the condition and those who believe that God heals.

The news hit my husband and children hard.  They were sad but not hopeless or overwhelmed.  They loved Mum and didn’t want me to die.  They believed God would come to our aid in my time of despair.  They gathered around me the first night and prayed for my healing.  My family arose as an army to fight fear, cancer and death.  The war was on.  

We were in a spiritual battle.  When someone comes into your house to steal your property will you stand by and let them steal it?   No you will put up a fight to put the robber out or call the police for help.  So it was with my family.  The devil was bringing cancer and death to their mum to steal her away from them.  They believed God and spoke God’s promise over my life that I shall not die and by the stripes of Jesus I am healed

Scriptures say the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ NIV)

Jesus was referring to the evil one,  the Devil who comes to kill.   The Devil is a spiritual being and one cannot fight him physically.  But we can fight him and defeat him with Gods spiritual weapons of war.  Jesus came on earth to destroy the works of the Devil.  He preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God, for people to turn to God away from sin and He would forgive their sins and heal their diseases.  He died on the cross and shed his Blood.  If we accept his sacrifice we will be healed.  By his stripes we are healed.  

The weapons to defeat Satan are faith in God, speaking out the Name of Jesus, and saying the Blood of Jesus is against you Satan and walking in peace, forgiving others as Jesus has forgiven us our sins.

If I am in trouble I want to call someone who knows how to pray to God and get results.  I needed prayer warriors who were not afraid of the enemy and had the right weapons and armour to win the battle.  As news of my trouble spread people prayed for me.

After my family prayed for me, the bleeding stopped within a week.  The battle was on and my family was winning.  The healing from Cancer began.  

God promises to be with us in trouble.

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. (‭Psalm‬ ‭91‬:‭14-15‬ NIV)

Family Friday. People didn’t believe I had fourteen children

Posted in Family Friday, Motherhood, My thoughts, Prayer by

Prince William and Princess Catherine have a new baby girl.  Princess Catherine had no problem, it seems, giving birth.  She will be well cared for back in her own home with attendants at the ready.  Her departure from hospital happened very quickly before the media had time to catch their breath.

I remember my friend from India telling me how she celebrates her new grand children. She stays with her daughter for a month after the baby is born.  The new mother is not allowed out of bed to do any work.  The grandmother prepares lotion with herbs and essential oils to bath the new mother each day.  Special nutritious meals are prepared for the nursing mother.   After each feeding time the baby is settled by the grand mum, and the mother has time to sleep, rest and recover.  What a good start for any mum.  Well done.

Not only that, in middle class families in India each baby is given a servant to help look after the child as it grows up.   When I told the people in India I had fourteen children they did not believe me.  They asked “How many servants do you have?”  They just cannot imagine how I carried and gave birth to fourteen children, never mind rearing them.

Genesis says,

To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children.” (‭Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ NIV)

This pain was the result of Adam and Eve disobeying God and were deceived by Satan.  I want to believe in God and obey him.  Through believing in Jesus I do not have to suffer the severe pain in childbearing.

Many woman are afraid of giving birth.  They are afraid of the pain.  There is pain when one goes into labour.  When I went into labour I rejoiced because my pregnancy was over and within a few hours I would be holding a new baby.  Yes there is pain but there is joy ahead.  I looked to Jesus as my example, who for the joy set before him endured the cross.  He suffered terribly on the cross for me to forgive my sin, my sickness and the curse of having pain in child bearing.

When I started in labour the pains would come irregularly, maybe every half an hour.  I had pain in my lower back but did not need any pain relief.  If the pains would come every ten minutes I knew it was time to go to hospital.  As the pain got more severe, I would stop and take a deep breath.  I would continue going through the pain taking deep breaths until near the time of the baby was due to be born.

I would ask for gas and air which relieved the pains of the delivery contractions that helped the baby to be born.   I had to have a pain relief while in labour with my first child.  For all the rest I did not have pain relief,  an epidural or a ciscerian section.  All my children were born normally and I didn’t need stitches.  Most of my children were around ten pounds!  Isaac was twelve pounds in weight!   Praise God.

Oh the joy of a new baby being handed into my arms by the midwife.  Each time it was amazing to hold new, perfect life.  My heart was always full of thankfulness to my Heavenly Father who gave us a reward.  ” The fruit of the womb a reward.”

The Lord gave me the “Oil of Joy” Isaiah 61, each time I had a new baby.  My husband and children celebrated the new arrival.  We believe children are a blessing from The Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.  We received each child in the light of God’s word.  I didn’t have servants.  My children helped me.  Brendan made sure I had nutritious foods to strengthen me.

I have a plack in my home.  It reads “Have courage, Have children.” If you are afraid of having a child, ask God to help.  His love will drive away all fear.  He will help you through the pain.

Sanguine Sunday. An Earthquake hit our Family in 2010

Posted in Cancer, Family Friday, Healing, My thoughts, Nations, Nature, Prayer by

When I received the news that I had Malignant Fourth Stage Bowel Cancer it was like an earthquake hitting our family. We were shaken and the after effects nearly overwhelmed us.

“Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.”psalm 32 v 6

In our generation because of good communications we hear news of worldwide events very soon after they happen.  There are wars, persecutions, earthquakes, tsunamis and signs in the sun and moon.  Many people have died in these disasters.  Jesus predicted these events would happen.

 “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things.”
“And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars.  And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides.  People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. (‭Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭10-11, 25-26‬ NLT)

People feel helpless and  experience fear and distress as they watch these events unfold on their television screens.  Jesus gave us an antidote in a few verses later, by advising us to keep alert and pray.

“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware,
Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” (‭Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭34, 36‬ NLT)

I faced death myself in 2010 when I was diagnosed with Malignant Bowel Cancer, fourth stage.  A different Earthquake hit our home.  Death came to our door.  I faced death.  My family faced death of a loved one.  We all experienced the feelings that come along with helplessness, fear, distress and looming death.  We were weak.  Unless something changed the prognosis for me was death.  Man has no power over death.  I realised I was dying.  I had no desire for anything in this world.  I was prepared to leave my husband and family behind.  

But there is one who has the power over death.  It is Jesus.  He died on the cross and took the keys of death and hell off Satan.  

In the previous years of my life I had tried to pray and read the Word of God each day.  We prayed together as a family.  I tried to obey him God as far I knew how to.  In my hour of need God turned up.  God made my husband and family strong.  They prayed for me.  My husband and I had taught our children how to pray. God heard their prayer. Psalm 102 describes what happened.

“LORD, hear my prayer! Listen to my plea! Don’t turn away from me in my time of distress. Bend down to listen, and answer me quickly when I call to you.

My heart is sick, withered like grass, and I have lost my appetite. Because of my groaning, I am reduced to skin and bones.

My life passes as swiftly as the evening shadows. I am withering away like grass. But you, O LORD, will sit on your throne forever. Your fame will endure to every generation. You will arise and have mercy on Jerusalem — and now is the time to pity her, now is the time you promised to help.
He will listen to the prayers of the destitute. He will not reject their pleas. 
Let this be recorded for future generations, so that a people not yet born will praise the LORD. 
Tell them the LORD looked down from his heavenly sanctuary. He looked down to earth from heaven to hear the groans of the prisoners, to release those condemned to die. 
And so the LORD’s fame will be celebrated in Zion, his praises in Jerusalem, when multitudes gather together and kingdoms come to worship the LORD. 
He broke my strength in midlife, cutting short my days. But I cried to him, “O my God, who lives forever, don’t take my life while I am so young! 
Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever; they will wear out like old clothing. 
You will change them like a garment and discard them. But you are always the same; you will live forever. 
The children of your people will live in security. Their children’s children will thrive in your presence.” (‭Psalms‬ ‭102‬:‭1-2, 4-5, 11-13, 17-28‬ NLT)

I am recording this today to tell you and the children yet unborn that God in heaven, who made the earth and heavens reached down from his throne and delivered me from death.  He did not turn away from me as it says in verse one. “Don’t turn away in my hour of distress.”

You may be at home reading this, you may have never heard that God answers prayer today.  He does.  He is interested in you.  He loves you.  Are you distressed about what you see coming on the earth, troubles within and without.  Begin to pray and and talk to God as you would a friend.  Begin to read the scriptures.  I am telling you this is the best medicine you could take.  It will make you strong.  It is guaranteed to bring healing.  What God did for me he will do for you.

It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.  Revelation 22 v 2

May the words I share with you today bring healing from fear, distress and anxiety.   As Jesus said “Look up.” 

So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” (‭Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭28‬ NLT)

Family Friday. Going to see Family in Scotland

Posted in Family Friday, Holiday, Motherhood, My thoughts, Prayer by

My daughter invited me over to visit with her in Scotland. We could spent some time together.  She duely booked flights for me.  I wanted to visit with three other of my children while I was over in Scotland.  My husband left on a trip the day before.  I was busy helping him get away.  Normally we travel together.

I took my time packing for my trip.  I travelled light.  I did not want to trail heavy luggage with me on and off the plane or on and off buses. I was travelling on my own. Brendan had typed out my boarding pass for the flight from Belfast to Edinburgh before he left on his trip.  He is good at any computer work that needs attention.  

I arrived at Belfast City Airport in good time.  Plans were going smoothly.  I was getting excited about my journey and looking forward to seeing my children living in Scotland.  I walked through to security check in as I already had my boarding pass.  As I handed my pass to the man in attendance I sensed I should have some other document.  It suddenly dawned on me that I had not brought my passport!  I could not get on the plane without my passport.

I stood to the side and let other passengers go on through to get their cases scanned.  I was in shock.  I had been so careful to make sure I had everything I needed in my case.  But I forgot my passport.  When Brendan and I travel he takes care of passports and boarding passes and any other business that makes our travels go smoothly, car parking arrangements, help with heavy luggage or a stay overnight in an hotel.  He is very faithful in the little details, so I don’t have to deal with them.  I was so thankful and appreciated Brendan’s help in the past.  I had taken his help for granted.

It was too late for anyone from home to bring my passport to the airport.  Normally we are advised to arrive at the airport in good time.  I know some people who arrive two hours before the flight is due to take off.  I had left no extra time.  I reviewed the situation , didn’t panic and was reconciled to the consequences of forgetting my passport.   I will return home.  I will not get to Scotland.  I was thankful I was not travelling on to a far off destination.  

I remembered back to Brendan’s story about the chicken and the eagle.  Did I want to remain in the farmyard.  No I began to praise God and pray for his help.  I decided to lift up my wings with praise and prayer. 

Just then I remembered “I might be able to use some other identification on the Flybe flight.”  I had a card with photo identification on it.  I asked the attendant if other ID can be accepted by the Flybe airline.  Yes other ID will be accepted.  I breathed a sigh of relief.  I proceeded through security to the gate for Edinburgh.  I was a happy traveller.  I had a big smile on my face.  

I went up to the gate to board the plane.  I presented my ID card.  The attendant just glanced at it.  She did not inspect it closely.  I took my seat on the plane.  It soon took off and I was soaring above the clouds like the eagle.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭30-31‬ NIV)

I looked up the in flight book for Flybe. I got a pleasant surprise to see Tara Lodge recommended as an hotel to stay at when in Belfast. My daughter is the Manager?

I was facing disappointment due to my own carelessness or lack of foresight in not checking if I had my passport.  Someone may say “Tough.  You need to learn a lesson.  Be better prepared. Why are you so stupid to forget your passport.”

The fact is I am not perfect.  I was trying to get away earlier under pressure with seeing to last minute details before I left home.  I did not forsee this difficulty.

But do you know God is merciful.  With him there is no disappointment.  I had no one to help me get away.  My husband had already left.  My Heavenly Father cared.  He makes a way when there is no way.

I remembered again.  I have an enemy the devil who wants to rob, steal and destroy.  He wanted to rob me of my trip to Scotland.  As I resisted him and trusted God I was not robbed.

Often we want to be in control of situations, trying to cover every possibility for mistakes.  But that leaves one in stress and always having to live up to high expectations.  Yes it is good to be prepared.  But I am not going to stress out if I make mistakes.  I could not live under that pressure.  I will do what I can and realise there is someone above me who will look after me, my Heavenly Father.  I am not in control.  I let him, the God of the universe be in control.

Think about it, do you control your life and others?  Relinquish control and trust God.  When one is in control a spirit of control can be operating and driving a person without him realising it.

I was not in control of my life when I was willing to have fourteen children. It is good to trust God and not be afraid of what life may throw at us.  He has been faithful to help me rear fourteen children.  He has healed me from fourth stage cancer.  Forgetting my passport did not end my trip.

Testimony Tuesday. My Son Patrick Nearly Drowns.

Posted in Family Friday, Motherhood, My thoughts, Prayer, Testimony Tuesday by

When some of my children were home for Easter we were recounting how some of them had near death experiences.  Here is an example of our son Patrick being saved from tragedy.

When our children were young, Brendan and I would take them out for a walk in the long summer evenings to tire them out before bedtime.  No one wants to go to bed when it is still daylight.  We would all climb into the minibus, teenagers to toddlers, all had to come along.  No time for individualism in our family.  When we went for a drive we all went for a drive.  When we went for a walk we all went for a walk.

We went to a  nearby marina along the river.  There was a play park there as well.  Children would take turns on swings, slides and roundabouts.  They sqealed with delight as they swung high on the swings.  Brendan and I could relax a little and chat,  knowing the older ones were looking out for the younger ones.

Aaron loved boats.  He  brought his canoe along with us to the river. He was paddling his canoe along the bank as the others played at the park.   He went off to inspect some boats that were parked at the marina.

Patrick followed him.  He was two years old at the time and often wanted to be around Aaron.  Next thing I knew Patrick was lying face down in the water with his little anorak puffed up with the water, his arms out and his wellingtons on his little feet.  Patrick was drowning.  Aaron was quick to act and grabbed hold of his wee brother.  We arrived to help.  We slapped him on the back to dislodge the water and helped him breath again. Only for Aaron’s quick response Patrick may have drowned.

We were all in shock at the thought of what could have happened to Patrick.  We returned in silence.  We got the children ready for bed and said our night prayers together.  We all thanked God for saving Patrick that evening.  

Brendan and I trusted God to protect our children. Psalm 91 says 

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; (‭Psalm‬ ‭91‬:‭9-11‬ NIV)
The angels were busy that day.

Family Friday. We Move to A New Town

Posted in Family Friday, My thoughts, Nature, Prayer by

 

Brendan and I moved back to Ballynahinch, Co Down where I was born.  Nine children moved with us.  Four other children were at university.  One was married.  Friends were perplexed at us moving away from Coleraine with your big family.  “How were we going to manage?” they asked.  “You will never get good schools like here.  Where will you live? Your children will miss their friends.”

I had been praying for five years that God would provide a bigger home for us.  I knew these young children would turn into teenagers and would need more space.  I believed that God would provide for me.  He gave me my children, and I believed he would help me.  When the children of Israel went into the promised land they were given land according to the size of their tribe.  I had a big family and I hoped that God who helped the children of Israel would do the same for me.

You must distribute the land among the clans by sacred lot and in proportion to their size. A larger portion of land will be allotted to each of the larger clans, and a smaller portion will be allotted to each of the smaller clans. The decision of the sacred lot is final.  (‭Numbers‬ ‭33‬:‭54‬ NLT)

We moved to a modern, warm bungalow.  There was plenty of room for us all.  My son John loved his new home and town.  He made friends easily at his new school.  He loved getting outdoors.  He would spend a Saturday with his new friends walking along the river behind our house or wandering over fields and forests beyond.  There was a corn mill nearby that was still working.  The boys went down there and looked at the large wheel turning with the water flowing over it.  I remember going there when I was a child with my father.  He was getting bags of corn bruised into oats.  The river behind our house fed the wheel that turned the grinding stone in the mill.

John’s adventures reminded me of Robert Louis Stevenson’ poem,

Keepsake Mill.

Over the borders, a sin without pardon,
Breaking the branches and crawling below,
Out through the breach in the wall of the garden,
Down by the banks of the river, we go.

Here is the mill with the humming of thunder,
Here is the weir with the wonder of foam,
Here is the sluice with the race running under
Marvellous places, though handy to home!

He would head off down the back of our garden, through a hole in the hedge to meet his friends.  They went fishing and swimming in the river behind the garden.  He would not return till late.

John started a new school, and travelled nine miles by bus to it.  His older sister went to the same school.  Settling into a new area and a new school can be daunting for any child.  John looked on his experience as an adventure and was enjoying a whole new world, new countryside, meeting my extended family, and making new friends.  He never looked back.

I later found out that our new neighbours’ son was bullied on the bus and at the school John went to.  He left and went to another school.  My daughter and son did not face any trouble on the bus or at school.  Because they had each other, no one dared pick on John because his big sister would soon respond and not take any hastle.  She was used to dealing with her siblings.  On any bus full of teenagers there will always be banter.  John and his sister took it all in their stride and didn’t make any enemies.

We all had a family holiday to Spain in the year 2000.  On the flight over to Spain John met a girl who went to his old school.  She was telling him that many of the children in his old class were using drugs.  I was so glad we moved when we did.  It was good for my daughter as well.  She was getting to the age where she was being influenced by friends to rebel.  She was made head girl in her new school.  Both my children found favour when they moved to a new town and new school.  I knew God was with us and he would look after us just as this scripture says.

And you saw how the LORD your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child.  Now he has brought you to this place.’ (‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭1‬:‭31‬ NLT)