Turn-around day

I think today is the day I come back to life. My brain actually seems to be working, and my stomach is much better. I'd love to go to church, but a friend who works in the hospital advises against it because of so much flu in the city. Anyway, I'm not very strong yet after a diet of clear liquids. I'm so sorry to miss. Today I'm going to move on to the BRAT diet (banana, rice, applesauce, toast).

It's been so wonderful to have Karin here. We've been discussing a question her law school friend is bothered by. Does God really respond to our prayers? Or has He already made up His mind what He's going to do and that's what He will do? Maybe, she speculates, prayer is for our benefit and not for God's. Well, I'm sure that greater minds than ours have grappled with this issue. For me, the question begins to resolve itself when I define prayer as a conversation between friends rather than a shopper placing an order. I admit that in prayer we do ask for things, but I don't think that should be the dominant thing. Since God really is the only wise One, and since He's my Friend, as we talk together, He can show me what He wants to do. And then why wouldn't I ask Him to do that? Then He will do it, and will give me the joy of seeing my prayer answered. He is so committed to relationship that He even wants to give us the credit for partnering with Him in His purposes. That works for me.

Speaking of relationship, last evening Karin crawled into my bed and we just lay there and talked for a couple of hours. That will be the cherished memory of her visit here.

I continue to need prayer that the chemo won't damage any organs. I'll have tests on March 11 for that. If a problem shows up, I suppose the doctor won't want me to go spend Easter with the family. And a really big prayer need is for our Liberian friend who is waiting for a heart transplant. He's in the hospital with severe flu symptoms. His heart is so fragile that he really needs a miracle of God's care.

Have a great day.
Carol