Sudden death stings deeply! I stood on the deck of my condo- my face puffy from crying, I asked the Lord; “Why didn’t you let me know sooner that Evie was in trouble?” I heard… “because I am God! I hold the keys of life and death! I AM SOVEREIGN”
Rewind to April 2023, I received a call from a dear friend telling me that her liver studies were elevated and that she was on her way to the doctor for more tests. In the next phone call, she told me that she had liver cancer (a fatty liver) that it had resulted from carrying too much weight for too many years. Although she had lost 175# over the last year; the damage and already been done.
Immediately we prayed the prayer of healing from Jermaine Copeland – “Prayers That Avail Much for Women.” And we believe that she would be healed.
She walked through 11 weeks of chemotherapy without any difficulty! Every morning at 5 AM she attended her boxing class; then met the rest of the day with energy and her faithfulness in Jesus.
After the chemotherapy, Keytruda /immunotherapy was prescribed to keep the cancer at bey. She did not tolerate that well – her kidneys began to fail, and she was placed in the hospital for five days. The immunotherapy was discontinued, and she felt better for a few days. However, she never totally bounced back.
I talked with her on Sunday, June 16. She didn’t sound good, she said she had just awakened. “Lets’ talk later.” I said. We didn’t- we both went to sleep!
However, I called her Monday morning -when I did not get an answer, I knew something was wrong, I called the management office of her apartment complex, and my local 911 and had them call 911 in her area. The policeman called me once they were outside her door and asked me for her phone number. There was protocol they had to follow, and he told me he would call me back. When he had not called me within an hour. I knew Jesus had called her home!!!
Why God why?
Tuesday morning, I awakened with tears in my eyes and pain in my heart! Then it occurred to me… what would I as Nora Speaks Life, I said to myself?
I would say:
- Jesus, I need you, right now! I can’t do this without you!
- Cry when you need to cry.
- Grief is unique and takes time. Be kind to yourself.
- Psalms 23 tells us; Even though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death- fear not for I am with you!
We memorialized her Friday, June 28, 14 months after her diagnosis. During that time many of us spoke about the about this wonderful woman and her love for Christ, her sweet spirit, her loving, caring, giving heart and transparent honesty! What a mighty woman of God!!
Now, God has given her peace and rest. She’s worshiping at the feet of our Savior and Sovereign God !