Vicki’s Story by Paula Kemp

Vickie

 

How I met Vickie was really one of those Jabez moments.  Vickie called my office regarding a claim she needed to file.   Her voice sounded like she was from the Lafayette area, which in itself makes her instantly special.  I have always found the people from that region to be very loving and gracious individuals.   During our conversation, her voice grew soft as she told me that she was battling breast cancer.

 

 I asked Vickie where she was receiving treatment.  In her soft Cajun accent she relied, “ I go tomorrow to M. D. Anderson.”  I told her that my husband’s parents had both received treatment there and they are cancer survivors for several years.  I asked her if she would be staying at the Jesse Jones Rotary House Hotel, which is attached to the hospital.  She replied, “Yes.”  I described the interior was more like a luxury hotel with beautiful paintings and extremely nice restaurants.   I gave her words of encouragement that this was the best place in the world for her.

 

I asked Vickie if she had ever heard of the book The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson.  She told me that she loved it and had given it as gifts.  I told her to take the book with her and look at it like she was on a mission from God to bring light into a place of darkness. I emailed her a short story that I had written about Garth, my father-in-law, and his stay at M. D. Anderson. 

 

After I hung up, I began calling florists in Houston and asking if they had “Victory” roses.  No one had them, so I found a florist that had beautiful roses in pots.  They offered to arrange them in a basket.  I had them sent to her hotel, so they would be there when she arrived to her room.  On the card I wrote, “Let these roses represent your “Victory!”  You be His light in this place of darkness!”  

 

I also mailed Vickie a daily devotional book God Calling by Two Listeners.  Several months later, she told me that she felt that Jesus was personally speaking to her each day through the book and helping her through her arduous journey.

 

Vickie then sent me the book, The Praying Woman.  I truly love it and learn something new each time I pick it up, much like the scriptures.

 

Over the course of the last 5 months, we have become friends through phone calls and the mail.  We have never personally met.  This week she had her friend email me that she just received news that she had 3 small tumors on the left side of her brain and Vickie wanted me to call her at M. D. Anderson.  During our conversation, she requested that I send out a prayer request for her, which I gladly did.  As Christians, she and I both believe in the power of prayer.

 

I spoke with her later that night, I told her, “I feel the Lord leading me to give you these scriptures.”

 

Genesis 26:24 – Do not be afraid for I am with you.

Palm 56:3 When I am afraid I will trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise.  In God I trust, I will not be afraid.

Isaiah. 44:2  This is what the Lord says – he who made you, who formed you in the womb and who will help you.  Do not be afraid.

 

After I read the scriptures, Vickie told me that when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer she was so afraid and a song came on the radio and they were singing, “Don’t be afraid”, which gave her peace.  She said, “I take those scriptures as a confirmation.”  Her doctor came in the room and Vickie said: “Please call me tonight, you bring me peace and comfort.”  That night I gave her this scripture.

 

Psalms 116

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice: he heard my cry for mercy.  Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord.  “O Lord, save me!”

The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.  The Lord protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.  I believed, therefore, I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” And in my dismay I said, “All men are liars.”

How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?  I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord in the presence of all his people.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.  O Lord, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains.

I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord.  I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord in your midst, O Jerusalem.

 

A few days later, I emotionally pleaded in prayer for the Lord to give me another scripture for Vickie that would bring her peace and comfort in His word. After my heartfelt prayer I then randomly opened my Bible and to my amazement, the first scripture I saw was 1 Chronicles 4:10. This was the first scripture that Vickie and I ever discussed, the Prayer of Jabez.  It was just one simple scripture out of a sea of scriptures.  That day the Father brought me peace and comfort  and I knew that the crossing of our paths was no coincidence.

 

You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.  Zig Zigler

It was never my words, but the Fathers words that made the impact on her life. 

 

 Paula Kemp

Bossier City, LA