(From Mary)
Dearest Elena and family,
What a fantastic image of being carried in a cloak to safety. In my mind I imagine God having a super large one. And within that cloak he has you wrapped up like an infant in a womb, warm, well fed, rocked to asleep and at peace.
May you feel lifted up and carried
Mary
Oh, Elena, praying for you and your beautiful family! I marvel and am grateful for your profound gift of words. Thank you for sharing the outpouring of that gift with us through the journey you are on! We are all with you and for you!!!
Through today's devotional from "Joni & Friends: 31 Days to Overcoming Adversity", the Holy Spirit brought to life for me a 'prophetic connection' between your story and that of Shadrach, Mesach and Abednego. 'Given' at such a time, the story holds, I believe, the promise that as you enter your fiery furnace on June 8, or rather, the fiery pill enters your body, "the only thing that [will catch] fire will be the ropes that bind your hands and feet." Scripture records that the three did not even smell of smoke. (Joni likens smoke to complaining). Can't smell a whiff of smoke in your meditation above! Instead, there is a fragrant aroma of Christ Himself.
When they emerged, "they saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, not a hair of their head singed, their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them." The reason for their deliverance? There was a Fourth, like the Son of God, who walked (freely) in the furnace with them.
They were delivered, by God, to the glory of God, and for the salvation of many. Trusting this God-quickened story shall also be yours. It is already unfolding ...
I admire your bravery. You are holding up so well.
May the Lord's heart be touched by your anxieties, pain and concerns. May He fight your battle on June 8 and the lonely days beyond. My family and I will continue to support you through prayers each day.
It was so good to run into you, Patrick, and the boys on Sunday. I am so sorry to hear about the battle you are facing right now with cancer. I appreciated your transparency and honesty as you shared. I will continue to pray for your healing and for you and family as you journey through this.
Sending you a lot of love on this journey. And appreciating your words. Sharing what you are going through helps us all to connect. Your reflections are powerful.