I would like to share my testimony if you will all suffer me to do so. About 17 years ago I was not a practicing Christian, not attending church, but trying to live my life in a manner I thought pleasing to God. I was one of those who rationalizes not attending church as unnecessary to being a believer.
My Father became ill and went into surgery for pancreatitis, for a Whipple procedure. Much too soon we were called by the Dr. who told us the biopsy showed cancer, which he expected as soon as he viewed the pancreas, "I've seen cancer enough times, that I knew what the lab would say, so I abandoned the procedure as it was a waste of time and money. Your husband/Father has 3 to 4 months left"
We were devastated, my Mom was unconsolable. I had not prayed since I was young, and really didn't know how to pray, but I prayed constantly day and night, and I promised God if he would spare my Dad, I would get my two children going to church regularly, and I would get myself to church and do whatever he had in mind for me to do with my life. I know now we are not to ask for trade outs from God in this manner, but was ignorant. Three days later, a significant number in scriptures, the Dr. came in and said the lab was no longer sure of their diagnosis, and a sample was sent to the Mayo Clinic where they said it looked more benign than malignant. I felt a tremendous chill up my spine that was so clearly telling me God had answered. We had Dad transferred to Duke where they did the Whipple successfully, and declared him cancer free. His original Dr. said he still stood by his diagnosis/prognosis, but someone else's hand had intervened. I know this is long, but I needed to tell it all. Dad is still doing ok today. I rarely miss church and am an Elder and member of the choir.
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