If you have not read my post, Let me tell you about my friend, Tracey. . . and her current journey, you might want to do so now.
I’m currently sitting in the corner chair of the Starbucks closest to my apartment. I have an appointment here in a few hours, but came early to have a place to simply sort out life and pray. I’m pensive and contemplative. Mostly, I am just hurting.
I awoke to a text from dear friend and brother in Christ and life, Craig Clarke. See the actual message on the right.
If you have not read my post about Tracey from last summer, please do now (CLICK HERE) to understand her situation. As of today, after a week of troubling symptoms, we now know there is a new tumor in her brain. Very bad news.
Though it has been an excruciating year of physical trauma and emotional fatigue, Tracey has persevered. In the face of pain unspeakable, she has moved forward, day by day, by faith in her Savior and through the love and support of her husband, community, and family; mainly her husband. It has been brutal being 10,000 miles away in the process.
Through it all, we have hoped for the best. Christ can heal her. We believe this whole-heartedly. We are STILL praying that He will heal her. Tracey has already well outlived all of her original estimates, so for this we are grateful. Really grateful.
For now, though, I am just sad. My heart is heavy. I am weeping for the pain Tracey is going through as if she is my sister, because, well, she is my sister. I am grieving for the anguish of Craig as if he is my brother, because, he too is my brother.
One of the things about being a Christian is buying into the reality that, in Christ, we truly are one family of God. This is Biblical. This is reality.
Though we were physically born of different biological mothers, we were all three born spiritually of the same heavenly Father. Just as the eternal outweighs the temporal, so does the spiritual outweigh the physical. Therefore, today, I am mourning for my sister and brother in Christ for this awful news.
Already, Craig has written a post on their update blog. I encourage you to read it, as it is an example of Godly people dealing with pain. They are grieving, yet trusting Christ in the midst of it. Incredible. Even on this very day, when their ongoing nightmare had taken a dark turn, I am learning about life and faith through Tracey and Craig.
So what do I do now? What CAN I do?
I can love my brother and sister even in my physical absence. I can talk whenever Craig feels like talking. I can pray. I ask you to join me in praying.
Here is what I am praying for Tracey and Craig Clarke today, and I ask you to join me in doing the same.
The peace of God – As Christ Himself said in John 16:33, there is a peace which overcomes the world. In the world, we find tribulation. In Christ, we find peace. Today, I am praying for this peace for Tracey and Craig. This peace, which rises above circumstance and is beyond all comprehension; I am praying it for them.
Comfort from the authority and presence of God – The first recorded public teaching of Christ after the resurrection is found in Matthew 28:18-20, commonly known as the “Great Commission”. In addition to the “commission” aspect of this passage, two vital realities of Christ are taught here. First, Christ has ALL authority in heaven AND on earth (Matt. 28:18). Second, Christ is with us ALWAYS and in ALL things (Matt. 28:20). I’m praying that the comfort of both God’s authority and God’s presence is sustaining Tracey and Craig today in the face of such troubling news.
Confidence in the finished work of the cross – There is incredible comfort in knowing it truly is FINISHED, as Christ proclaimed in John 19:30. Tracey and Craig get this. They are at peace with their Maker, even during times such as this.
Less than two weeks ago, I received a text message from Craig asking for prayer. Tracey was at that moment sharing Christ with a neighbor, as the neighbor was trying to encourage Tracey in her sickness.
Tracey gets the reality of the Gospel. This life is temporal, the next is eternal. However, it is easy to lose this perspective in the midst of suffering and pain. I am praying that God will grant Tracey and Craig the grace needed to keep their hearts fixed upon this reality in the midst of the ongoing toil and anguish of this cancer.
The healing power of Christ – Christ teaches us to ask boldly for our desires (1 John 5:14-15). He teaches us to pray this persistently and with faith (Luke 18:1-8). In this vain, I am praying for Tracey’s healing.
Thanks for reading this. If you are so inclined, please join me in praying with and for Tracey and Craig Clarke, my dear siblings in Christ.
Really really bad news! But I am praying for her healing. Looking forward to a positive report.
Thanks Tatuu!
this is heartbreaking. praying for you and your beloved friends right now.
{1 Corinthians 1:3-5, Romans 15:13, 1 Peter 5:7}
Thanks Amy!
I’m going to pray right now for Tracey, Craig and their family. I’m going to pray for you too, friend…
Thanks a lot Vicky!
Praying, getting a bad report is very fresh on my heart. I would love to pray for your friends.
I understand Susan. I hope you are doing well, as I know your last few weeks have been brutal. I have been praying for you.
John, As I sit here reading your blog, tears flowing, I to pray for Tracey. Her struggle has been a long battle and she continues to fight, God Bless her. It saddens me, I lost my own daughter 7.5 years ago to cancer and this bring back so many memories. I pray for the Peace of God to comfort Tracey and Craig, praying that the new treatment will heal her body. So many emotions, my heart cries for these two amazing people and their strong faith in God. I will continue praying, God is Good. Love & Hugs Tracey! Praying.
Jane, I did not know about your daughter. I am so sorry to hear that. Thanks for your words here and for praying.
I am praying with you too. I know I don’t know you well, but because Todd knows you and loves you so much, I feel like I know you too. Today has brought much sad news to me as well- the passing of my great Uncle and the passing of my good friends grandpa. I relate to your feelings of grief and heaviness for people you love and for a desire to cling to Christ in the midst of great loss and pain. Death and suffering and illness are relentless in this life, thank God this life is not all that there is. Today is such a reminder of that. Know that today you are not alone in this season of overwhelming sadness. – Jenni Singletary
Hey Jenni. . . I am sorry for your loses. Thanks for sharing them here.
Yeah, I can’t believe we still have not yet met in person, though I also feel I know you. Todd is a great friend.
Thanks for reading and praying.
praying for all of yall.
Thanks Charlie!
Praying Gunter. Wish we were with you in EA
Thanks. . . miss you guys a ton!
I do not know you, John, or Tracey and Craig….but in Christ – yes indeed we are FAMILY. I will pray.
I agree. . . thanks!
This is terrible, I am so sorry! I pray Tracey can feel Jesus Christ’s comforting presence right by her side every single moment. I pray God can strengthen her husband and family through this sad painful time.
What a blessing to know they are so close to God and have the hope of eternal life together. Should the worst happen, they know they will see each other again, never to part anymore! Revelation 21:4
Sabbath is about to begin for me and I will pray for Tracey and her family in church at vespers and tomorrow all day. May God richly bless them in this terrible hour!
Thanks Iulia. . . I’m sure they will read these comments and be encouraged by your words.
It’s probably only for the prayers, support and love of the Big Family that my family has made it through this year after the unexpected death of my brother in law. It’s also been a great joy to pray alongside so many this year who are experiencing real suffering. I am forever grateful and never want to lose the reality of needing others and of joining in the joys and pains of brothers and sisters everywhere. Praying for your friends, Tracey and Craig now…and praying for you, John. Thanks for sharing and asking us to share this burden with you. Grace and peace!
Thanks Alexis and I am sincerely sorry for the lose of your brother in law this year.
Wish this blog had a retract comment button. Didn’t mean to put the focus on me, John. After reading your last post about Tracey and looking at her artwork, she is really quite special. I am brought to tears knowing her situation and humbled by the way she lives out the gospel. May God continue to be her guiding light, her strength, her song, her hope, her peace and may she receive joy in this time. And may we as a Big Family bring glory to our Father through the prayers and praises we offer on her behalf.
Alexis, you didn’t come off that way at all! Thanks for your thoughts!
Tracey is, has been, and will continue to be on my daily prayer list. My prayer is for God’s presence (Psalm 46:1), power (Mark 5:30), peace (II Thess. 3:16), and provision (Matt 6:11). May His grace and mercy (Heb. 4:16) and His love (Rom. 8:35-39) be showered upon them as a sweet, gentle, nourishing rain and His Light and Truth shine through the clouds. May it be so, most High God and compassionate Father, may it be so.
John ~ may the miles supernaturally melt away knowing that your heart is knit together with theirs with a cord of three strands that is not easily broken….no amount of distance can sever. Prayers for you, too ~ strength and encouragement emotionally, physically, and spiritually. All God’s blessings and protection.
Pax et bonum, B. (Carol’s friend and Meg’s mom)
Thanks Mrs. Terry. Great passages to think through on prayer. Mrs. Clarke will actually be with them this weekend, so I am praying for their fellowship.
John,
I am praying. As you may know, Fletcher and I live in Durham, about 10 minutes away from Duke Hospital. If there is anything we can do (food, place to stay) please let me know. We are out of town some but want to help how we can.
ME, I totally forgot you guys are now there. I will let them know you guys are there and get them your contact info. Thanks for the offer!
Life seems to swallow so many people yet all our lives are temporal. In the midst of ‘life’ it’s easy to forget our purpose and the important things get dulled somehow. I don’t know if it is because I’m getting older (even though I’m not that old) or if I’m just in a stage of life where I’m seeing a lot of pain, but I too seem to be reminded that we are called to a greater place, and to a greater purpose. I pray that Tracey will have peace in the authority that Christ has over this world and the next. I pray Craig is able to continually serve her and that God give him the energy needed during this time.
Great thoughts and prayers, Keith. Great hearing from you!
I know you are grieving . I am praying for Craig and Tracy . I am also praying for you my precious earthly and eternal brother.
Betsy
Hey Bets, thanks for being an incredible sister both in Christ and physically. . . love you!
We love you so much. Our hearts are broken with this sad news of your precious friends. We are praying for you, Tracy, and Craig. The faith of this on dear couple is an inspiration to all of us.
Thanks Mom. . . I’m proud of you for getting the comment thing down! Good job!
Praying too. This is one thing that amazes me when it comes to Christ. We don’t know each other personally but through Him, we are one. May Tracey, Craig and you feel the unfailing love of God through our prayers.
Thanks Jhanice!
Her work is beautiful! I have been praying ever since you instagrammed the picture of you three on Friday and just now got to read your blog entry. I am praying that you and the Clarke’s will experience God as your comforter.
Thanks Ashley. . . yeah, Tracey is by far the most talented artist I personally know. Her work is amazing.
Thanks!. BTW, NP is full steam ahead. A group is out there today setting up logistics.
Hi John, I’m new here. Thank you for sharing this, Tracey and Clarke are in my prayers. In the midst of this suffering, may their hearts and minds continue to rest assured in Christ’ embrace.
Thanks a lot! Please keep praying, as it has been a rough week.
Sid not, I just went to your blog. Looks great and I love that “persnickety” is in the title!