Faith is...

Here's the update... I got my lab results back, some on Monday, some yesterday.

First, the CBC numbers:

WBC - 3.7 (sept) to 4.0 (oct) (normal 4.10-10.9)
HGB - 11.2 (sept) to 11.6 (oct) (normal 12-18)
HCT - 33.9 (sept) to 34.1 (oct) (normal 37-51)
Platelets - 158 (sept) to 169 (oct) (normal 140-440)

All 4 of them improved! Praise God!!! Platelets were in normal range last time, but improved. The other 3 moved up. SO...that's great!

Second, I heard about the tumor marker results yesterday afternoon. In September the number had elevated to 40 (normal range of 0-31). They said "let's just check it again in October." Well, it stayed at 40. The nurse that called sounded very encouraged. I said "this doesn't sound good, right?" and she said "No, this is good. We are pleased with the marker staying the same. Something has happened to stabilize your body, and there has been no increase, so we are fine with that number." Okay.

Something stabilized it? I suspect Someone stabilized it. I thought "Lord, I'm glad it has stabilized but I had hoped that it all would be in the normal range. That's what we were praying for...specifically." (last blog)

But I thought about the story of Jesus healing the blind man, in Mark 8:22-25

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

This is an amazing story! Jesus, the Son of God, stopped to heal the blind man...but it didn't happen immediately on round number one. How could that be?! Then Jesus "once more put his hands on the man's eyes" ... they were opened. Why did it take Jesus TWO tries? I don't know. But what I learn from this story is that it is possible to be "in the process of healing". The blind man could see partially, not completely. Then Jesus completed the healing with the second laying on of His hands.

Sometimes healing comes immediately. Sometimes it takes longer. Sometimes healing has to be pursued. It may be a process. Whether it is minutes, hours, days, weeks...that's God's call, not mine. I can tell you honestly...I always prefer "immediate,let's-see-it-today" prayer answers. But...I know that if I am truly trusting the Lord to heal me, then I have to trust Him with how and when. That is His call.

SO...I am thankful and praising Him for Monday! The CBC numbers are moving up and one is already normal. The tumor marker is "stabilized". A friend of mine said "Lisa, 40 is a very biblical number! Let's just pray for 7 next time." :-) I love that.

"Faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see". Hebrews 11:1

Total restoration and healing haven't come yet...but I see the process of healing happening. So...I keep walking in faith for the part that I cannot see...until my eyes see what my heart has hoped for all along.

"Now this I know:
The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." Psalm 20:6,7

O God,
I surrender my time agenda for healing to You. Thank You for the good results from Monday and for Your continued faithfulness to walk me through this journey. I love You. I put my trust in You more than I put my trust in numbers ...or chariots. :-) I've never ridden in a chariot, but I guess they must have felt powerful and invincible. You alone are the Powerful and Invincible One.
I will trust in You.

Your daughter,
Lisa