Good morning…
I am grateful for technology, for the ability to communicate with loved ones near and far. I will keep forever the beautiful string of texts Julie Harlan and I shared privately over the final thirty-eight days of her life. I scroll through the eighty-five text messages exchanged and I smile, so grateful for my friend.
Some texts are one word. “Beautiful.” “Awesome.” “Thanks.” Others are short sentences of encouragement. “Praying for you right now.” “Resting in Him, you have all you need.” “Thank you for praying!!!” Others contain medical terms. “Biopsy. Pet scan. Blood clots. Pic line. Port surgery. High calcium level.”
Sometimes I initiated. “How has today been?” “How has your day progressed?” “Lifting you up to the light of our living LORD. Any specific requests I can be praying for you?” Regularly she texted me her daily experiences.
Sometimes Julie would initiate. “Prayers for wisdom on doctors we choose. And for my mind and heart to be guarded. So tough all we are hearing.” “Prayer friend – today is a busy day for us and would love these specific prayers…” “Please pray for God’s complete direction – guiding our steps and opening the door wide to where I need to be. Please pray for strength for me and Chad and all my family. And please pray for God’s complete healing. I know God is holding me in the palm of His hand and He loves me dearly. Thank you for all your prayers and support. You are a gift to me.”
Often Julie would text me her joys. “We just got called that I can get biopsy tomorrow. This is a victory – answered prayer.” “I have a praise today that they did not find cancer in my liver – Praise God.” “Insurance approval for the trial – Praise God.”
When words from an old hymn came bubbling up, I texted her the choir. “Trust and obey, there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.” Then I emailed her the lyrics and a link to a contemporary music video. She responded, “Thank you. Love that. Trust and obey. My body is weary and it’s hard at times but trying to stay focused on that – trust and obey.”
When I was at Amelia Island, I texted her my sunrise photos. “Another brand new day. Hope this one holds many simple pleasures. Tucking you in my prayer.” Another day I texted her as the sun rose. “I took a picture of the ball of light healing you from within. I am praying for you as I enjoy the intense power of God rising over Jacksonville, Florida.”
When I ate my lunch outside, I would often check in. “I am on my back porch, sitting in silence, lifting prayers for your patience and peace as God makes a pathway through the challenges of today. Inch by inch you are being healed whole. Let me know specific prayers for this day.”
My final text was unreturned. At 4:08 pm on Friday afternoon I texted, “How has today been for you sweet friend?” I knew Julie had been admitted to the hospital. Saturday she was put on oxygen. On Sunday afternoon I got word that our Creator had carried Julie’s spirit back to heaven.
I scroll through the eighty-five text messages exchanged and I smile, so grateful for my forever friend.
Do two people walk hand in hand if they aren’t going to the same place? (Amos 3:3, NIV).
…Sue…
