About a year ago (see it here:http://www.supremecourtjesters.org/RicksBlog/tabid/66/EntryId/164/Best-Friends.aspx  )   I blogged about our close friends, Barb and Gene.  Barb had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the time I wrote it.  These are friends we have known since the late 1980’s.  Their youngest daughter was one of my students when she was seven years old.  She’s now in her 30’s.  Barb and Gene have been beside us through many, many victories and many frustrations. 

For over a year Barb has been treated for cancer.  Sue and I hope we have been there for them as they have been there for us all these years.  Last month Barb went to Boston to have the cancerous tumor removed, but just getting to that point had been a road with a lot of ups and downs.  Throughout it all, the Lord has made his presence known as procedures consistently had better results than the medical professionals anticipated.

But God was only beginning.  People literally all over the world were praying for Barb, that’s how well loved she and her husband are.  We’re so blessed to be part of the many people they have welcomed into their lives.  So, when we got a call Friday evening that they were home from Boston after a week and a half, and that the procedure was a total success, we were both astonished and not surprised at all.  God hears the pleas of his people. 

If I have the story right, one of Barb’s doctors came into her room to report that they had removed the entire tumor, and she was at stage zero cancer.  In fact, there was not even one single atypical cell found, which never happens with this type of cancer.  Barb responded with, “Praise the Lord!  Would you say this is a miracle?”

The doctor answered, “I’m not a believer.  They must have done something wrong in the lab.  I’ll be rechecking the results and get back to you.”  There is still no evidence of a single cancer cell or atypical cell of any kind, and the tumor has completely been removed.  100%

After hearing a report like this, I usually have two reactions.  First, I question the reliability of the source.  This was not even in question this time, though, as we heard it firsthand directly from Barb and Gene who are some our longest, most trusted friends.  They are closer than family

My second thought is usually, “Why did God answer these prayers and not the prayers of many equally faithful, fervent people who may have dies in the very same hospital the very same day?  Or, for that matter, the prayers ofmy devout mother who died of cancer at 49 years old?”  Of course, I have no answer.  Be suspect of anyone who claims they can explain the unexplainable.  Like Gene told me when Sue and I were told we would not concieve any children, "The Lord works in mysterious ways."  Cliche, yes, but just what I needed at the time.   Regardless, we are told to rejoice with those who rejoice, and we are thrilled to rejoice with our closest of friends right now as they have rejoiced with us over the birth of three daughters, new jobs, and much more.