A Blessing

Her pain was extensive as she fought the cancer that would eventually take her life. The dreams they had made together had been altered upon hearing the news from the doctor about the leukemia that had invaded her body. While the ultimate prognosis was not good, there was hope for at least a temporary and comfortable life. Unfortunately, she needed surgery in order to prolong her life and give her a more pain free existence. In any normal situation, the surgery would not be a problem except in this case, it was cost prohibitive. All their savings was depleted and the surgery would cost $25,000.

He had quit work a couple of years earlier in order to spend time with the love of his life in her last few years, but having no resources in which to help her, he was nearing the end of his emotional strength as well as his financial ability. The small farm he owned would need to be sold with the hope he could keep the house. The time neared to make the decision to sell the land which would allow for the surgery. Did he for one second consider keeping the land, avoiding the surgery, and let her life end? The answer, of course, was no. His love was enduring and complete. He would be willing to sacrifice it all for her comfort and happiness.

Years before, when he had purchased the small farm, he had also purchased a strip of land by the highway that was worthless but part of the original deal. It was just a couple of acres with no value and in fact he had almost forgotten that he owned it. Traffic noise, excessive rocks, and little vegetation rendered the little strip virtually useless. Nevertheless, he did own it.

As the time neared for the decision to sell the farm, he received a call from a power company asking about the small strip of land by the highway. He said he did own it but in all honesty it had little to no use to anyone. The power company quickly offered him $25,000 for the land saying they needed it to complete their power connection to the area. The transaction was completed the next day and he took the money to the hospital.

The surgery was successful and she lived several more years in comfort and they were able to spend their time marveling at the miracles and blessings God had sent their way. She is gone now and he spends time on his farm. Everyday he drives by the strip of land he sold and thanks God for the blessing.

As he told me the story, I found myself choked up and unable to respond. It was one of the most beautiful stories I had ever heard. God's love and care is boundless and shows itself in so many remarkable and special ways. Thank you, my friend, for sharing your story with me.