Tracey’s Story
Tracey Bilak shares today’s moving devotional with us. I know it will touch your heart as it did mine. Ty Tracy for giving us a piece of your heart.
A short time ago P-Ray asked us to consider writing a DEVO. It tugged on my heart. I was talking with a dear friend about this challenge and he said to me, you should share your story. Thanks Dan T
It was the day after Christmas 2011. My husband woke up that morning and said I don’t feel right. Very healthy guy who never really complained of anything. I thought okay we are in our 40s let’s go to the doctor. We seen our PCP that Monday. Doug was scheduled for numerous tests. Everything was coming back in his favor. A few weeks later, he was declining so much so that by late January he was not able to work. He was in and out of the hospital, having more tests and scans, additional bloodwork performed. Over the next month still NO answers. Our neurologist encouraged us to doctor in Pittsburgh. All of the testing was repeated with a few others. He was diagnosed with a very rare disease with no treat or cure. We were released from the hospital on Good Friday and the doctors told him he had about 6 months to live. Unfortunately we were familiar with the disease because my mother in law passed away from the same disease 20 years prior. We knew what we were up against but, our biggest challenge was telling our 11 year old son. When we arrived home and our son ran to greet us. He realized something was terribly wrong.
Lord please help us. How do I tell my son that his dad is going to die. I confess I couldn’t pray, didn’t know what to pray. All I could say was Jesus. My church family at the time was an amazing group of believers true prayer warriors. We had dear friends that visited our home, to pray over Doug.
Jeremiah 32:27 I am the lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?.
That Sunday was Easter Sunday. What a glorious celebration victory over death.
Jesus died on that cross for our sins and on the third day he rose from the grave. He’s alive. Showing us love and bring us hope.
After that service the entire church prayed over Doug. I was hopeful.
The following Sunday my sister in law said you take Douglas to church, and will stay here and take care with Doug.
On our way home from church. I said buddy I don’t know if Jesus will heal your Dad. He said I know he is really sick mom I understand will you please take care of him until Jesus takes him home. Of course, I answered. How is it that my young son was so strong for me on that very day. The very next Sunday Doug passed away.
2 years later my son said mom, are you ever going to stop crying. What a wake up call that was.
I cried out to the Lord for his help and for his healing. I thanked him for my son who is filled with wisdom and having the courage to say what I needed to hear.
I started talking walks and talking to God like never before. I surrendered to my Lord.
Amazing grace how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed. The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.
We serve a good God who loves us so dearly. He surrounded us with loving family friends and our community. For the many men who stepped up and stepped into our lives Thank you.
Our Heavenly Father always has a watchful eye on him and loves him so.
Deuteronomy 31:8
The Lord himself goes before you and he will be with you; he will never leave or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. I wholeheartedly believe this.
My son is doing well and those godly men are still in his life. I Praise God for that.
God healed my broken heart. His grace helped me move forward. God blessed me with a new best friend who brings joy to my life. He fills my days with laughter and love. A wonderful man who is so good to me and to my son. I am so blessed to be part of his loving family.
Lamentations 3: 22-24 because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, the Lord is my portion therefore I will wait for him.
Make it a Master-filled Monday! God is good…