This is how it came to be that I really and truly began to believe, in a deeper way, that He’s there. You probably have a similar story of sorts, but this is mine:
In the spring of 2013 I was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma. (read: “melody’s a complete weirdo to have this kind of illness”) At one of the first appointments where I was told of the possible diagnosis, the Nurse Practitioner told me that the pathologist, who had caught the strange cell formations in my first biopsy and insisted that another be done and sent away to be reviewed by a specialist, claimed to know me. Her name was Emmi.
I spent a great deal of time trying to figure out who this Emmi was, asking people if they knew who she was, or for help guessing how she knew me. The only connection that she had mentioned to my N.P. was the piano. I finally gave up, and thought, “Someday I’ll know who it was that saved my life…” I guess I figured I’d know in Heaven.
Not long ago, (more than a year later) I was at a group piano lesson with my daughter Emily. When she finished playing and the other boy was to take a turn, he asked that we wait for his mom, she was running late, but she’d be here in a few minutes. And Emily’s teacher said, “Oh of course, we can wait for Emmi…”
And at that moment, I realized this was the connection I’d been looking for.
Breathless, I sat there. Two and two were coming together, and I could not believe what I was hearing. I was completely startled by what I heard and I could barely think. My heart and mind swirled together with emotions which eventually spilled down my cheeks on the drive home.
It was Emmi, a fellow “piano mom” who insisted to my physician that she knew who I was (even though I hadn’t remembered her name) and pushed them to have a second biopsy completed and evaluated by a leading pathologist in the field. I have often wondered what would have happened if they hadn’t determined my diagnosis.
But, God didn’t wonder, He designed every nuance of my story, all of it, in advance.
I came to realize that, indeed, He isn’t just present, aloof, sitting by idly. Through His providence and power, He is perfectly holding all of the pieces of His Great story in place. His hands hold my world together.
When I read these words later, they seemed so new and real:
Colossians 1:17 He himself is before all things and all things are held together in him.
What comfort to know that every detail, no matter how far beyond my control, was planned and prepared by Him before the world began, even this small little thing of a woman who would help to save my life.
Thank you, Heavenly Father.
daily portion 