As I sit here just four days away from Lauren’s surgery, fears pop in and out of my head and my heart. The enemy is RELENTLESS!!
BUT GOD!!!
God sent His Son, Jesus…the Word made flesh…to dwell among us. Jesus is the antidote to fear. God, through the gift of His Son, Jesus, replaces our fears with TRUTH.
As I face my fears head on, God’s Word reminds me that fear was present at the very first Christmas. We can find the words “Do not fear” three different times in the Christmas story.
“When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear a son…”…” Luke 1:12-13.
“Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.” Luke 1:29-30.
“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel of the Lord said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Luke 2:9-10.
Zacharia and Elizabeth prayed fervently for a child and God brought them a child… in His time.
God still answers prayer.
God made a promise in Isaiah that one day a Savior would come and seven centuries later God fulfilled that promise…in His time.
God still keeps His promises.
Because of God’s great love for His People, He continually gave them chances to repent and return to Him until finally He sent us a Savior…in His time.
God still loves us.
I face my fears head on with God’s Word on my side.
John 3:16 tells me
God so loves me…
God so loves Lauren…God so loves Bo…God so loves Monty
that He gave His only Son…
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
that when we believe in Him…
which we do
we will not perish…
we will not fear…we will not doubt…we will not worry
but have everlasting life…
everlasting peace…everlasting joy…everlasting confidence.
1 John 4:18 tells me
Such love HAS NO FEAR; because perfect love EXPELS ALL FEAR...
The opposite of fear is LOVE.
When “old smutty face,” as my friend Micca calls him, comes knocking at the door of my heart these next days and weeks I will stand on this gift of LOVE given for us 2000 years ago.
We will stand on His Word and His promises.
If as you read this, fears pop in and out of your mind, will you join me and STAND on God and His Word? Will you refuse to believe the lies of old smutty face and instead BELIEVE THE TRUTH OF GOD? Let’s stand together!!!
My heart is full with the love you have showered on me and my family via blogging, e-mails, cards, and gifts.
Thanks to so many of you, we are filled and empowered with Truths and Promises to pray and to stand on.
More than any Christmas ever, this Christmas we will experience the TRUE MEANING of IMMANUEL…GOD WITH US!!!
Lauren’s surgery is scheduled for 7:00 A.M. Monday morning, December 21st. They estimate it will end about noon. They will move her to a room in the children’s hospital where she will stay 4-6 days.
Thought I would include a picture of my sweet girl so you can put a face with her name as you pray. We took this at her sixteenth birthday party!
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Thank you for your love and prayers. I will do my very best to update my blog and share how Lauren is doing. I have taken the prayers, Scriptures, songs, and poems you have sent and placed them in a journal we will keep at the hospital. So thankful for how God has provided through your love and care!!
Praying you have a blessed and joyous Christmas,
Wendy
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story 
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (E-Book)
Wendy,
This blog post was just what I needed today. I am facing worry and fear with my upcoming medical tests and the possibilities of what could be wrong. I stand with you and will be praying for Lauren, you, and your family. What a beautiful picture of you both!!
God Bless,
Traci
Wendy,
You go girl! You have written a powerful post! BUT GOD indeed!
One thing I've found very helpful throughout the past few years is making God's word first person. For example, I love Psalm 91 and I read it like this…"I dwell in the shelter of the Most High and I will rest in the shadow of the Almighty…"
Looking forward to hearing a GREAT report on Lauren. And remember, we are to believe the report of the Lord (Isaiah 53).
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
Thank you for this post. Dealing with fear and worry is something I struggle with. Sending prayers for Lauren and your family.
God Bless & Merry Christmas,
Mary Ellen
Praying for Lauren. I had a procedure this morning for which I was put under. Even though I was fully assured of God's presence, it is still a bit of an odd feeling, to say the least! But faith is so comforting. We'll pray for a great measure of God's presence to be with Lauren and your family.
Wendy, Lauren is lovely! I will put it in my journal to be praying for her and will be especially praying on Monday. I heard that she was scheduled for surgery and wanted you to know I will be praying she comes through surgery well and is pain free! I will be praying for her doctors and her family =)
PS my random word generated was "cling" I'll be praying you all cling to the Great Physician.
Love you Love you Love you!
Bowing our hearts and knees for Lauren, you and your whole family!
Isaiah 66:3
"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you."
Praying for Lauren and for you, sweet Wendy!
GOOD LUCK WENDY & LAUREN!!
You have our prayers daily until the surgery is over and this is all behind you. WE KNOW God will guide you through this smoothly.
Please keep us updated.
Lisa & Haley Kestory
(Deland, FL)
email: edandlisak@yahoo.com
p.s. Haley is post-op spinal fusion 2 1/2 weeks ago and she is doing wonderfully! Pain is minimal now and she is moving around freely. She is ready to go back to school after Christmas break…
Praise God!
Oh, Sister, I feel like such an schmultz! I haven't been on in forever to really see what's going on with everyone and when I come here, I see what's fast approaching. Forgive my thoughtlessness!
I've set my calendar on my cell with an alarm for 7AM Monday morning to remind me of the time. I'll be praying throughout the day for Lauren and the physicians… and for all of you.
Remember that God has already gone before you. He has prepared the way for this surgery and it will be His hands, THE Great Physicians hands guiding those that are human.
Through all the times I've read your posts and shared in your book and study together, one thing I know about you is the strength of your faith in the One who never lets us down. The devil can try and steal it and cause you to waver, but God has brought you so far, and will continue to be with you, and bring you even further.
I love you, Dearheart, and I'll be praying!
In Christ,
Danielle
Hey,sweet friend! I have it on my calendar as well! We'll be praying y'all through on Monday. As Lisa said, cling to the great Physician. He is all powerful and almighty. He is your Strength and your Rock. I wish I could be there at the hospital to hold your hand and get you some coffee!! (If you drink it!!)
Interestingly enough,one of the cross country girl runners on my childrens' team also had the same surgery recently. All is well, and her name is LAUREN!!:)
Beautiful picture of you girls!! Love it! Let us know how all goes.
Much love!
Susan
You and Lauren continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. I love the picture of you two together!
Love you, thinking of you and praying for all of you. May His peace usher you through these next several weeks.
Looking unto Him for you,
Sharon
Wendy, I have not been on here in such a long time, but I have not forgotten all the calls and emails that got me through a time of searching in my life. I will be saying a prayer for your family in the morning at 7:00 am 6 our time. Be blessed from Sandy in KY…
Praying for Lauren this morning. b
Praying for your family today!!
Jenn
Many of us from Wendy Pope's NLT study are praying today, Wendy and Lauren.
God's Blessing and Love to You,
Brandee
Oh Wendy…I just read for the first time about your daughter's surgery. I missed the opportunity to pray before the 21st, but I will pray now. Blessings and peace to you and your family.
Sandy
Praying Lauren is doing well.
Loving you and Lauren through prayers!!! You are both constantly on my heart. Praying for her pain to cease and for God to comfort your heart with peace as you watch her suffer. I can't imagine how hard that is. We love you and we are walking with you praying God's Word of healing and hope over you and your whole family!
Lauren and your family are in my constant prayers. Wish I were there beside you. Know that I am through prayer.
Much love!
Praying you day is filled with God's presence! Can't wait to hear a report on Lauren; been praying for her, and all of you!
Love ya!
praying for you and your family…a beautiful word…
Your daughter is beautiful and looks alot like her mother. I'm sure Lauren's heart is even more beautiful. So glad surgery went well and she is back home.
After reading my comment above, I wanted to make sure you knew that I mean't that Lauren's heart was even more beautiful than the beauty of our flesh. Oh I must just stop talking now. I can't always write what my mind is trying to say.