i don't know her personally. we haven't met, we've never even chatted on email. i wasn't following her on Twitter, i'm not her friend on Facebook, and honestly today is the first time i've ever visited her personal blog.
but for the past 48 hours i've been talking to God about Anissa Mayhew. i've been praying for her healing and physical strength. i'm thanking God for giving her husband and children peace right now.
Anissa is an Atlanta mommy who blogs at Free Anissa.com and also writes at AimingLow.com. however. i'm getting the feeling that she is also a really special friend to many, many, MANY people in the blogging community and in the world.
she had a stroke on Tuesday and remains in the hospital. updates are being posted online by her husband, and tweeted and re-tweeted by Anissa's thousands of followers and friends. i'm following.
and i'm praying.
and i think about Anissa and her to-do list, and her three children who are wondering where she is, and her husband who has to stay so strong. and i think if it were me [God forbid], lying in a hospital bed with neurosurgens and cardiologists doing their best for me, there's some stuff that i'd want my husband and children to know. [mostly how much i love them.]
so i'm writing it down on paper, tucking it into a taped-shut envelope, and i'm putting it in my husband's dresser.
i'm praying that soon i'll get on Twitter and see an awesome praise report that Anissa is home and well. and all of her thousands of friends and followers will rejoice in the miracles of our Father God, telling everyone how He answered our prayers for many years to come.
i'm thanking God for my life and my family and my every breath. i'm thankful for His grace, protection, presence, and love. and i'm thankful for His Word that says me, my children and their children after them "may fear the LORD God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life." (Deut 6:2), and through Him my days will be many, and years will be added to my life (Prov 9:11) and "do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity." (Prov 3:1-2)
for Anissa, i will rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer, according to Romans 12:12.
[photo by Lesser Photography]
