Valuable Lessons

In the past three days, I have learned several valuable, time tested, and forever lasting lessons. One of my great friends, and sister was very ill and the circumstances did not look pleasing. This scared me because it made me think of the last time we talked, what it was about, and if she knew that I loved her because I might not get that chance again to tell her that. Lesson #1: Say what you mean and never leave on bad terms. Always say you love them because you never know what the Lord is planning. Every second counts. From this I also had to learn another valuable, but more difficult lesson. She was sick, very sick. We didn't know what was going to happen. Lesson #2: As much as you want to hope and pray for God to heal people, what you need to pray for is that no matter what the outcome you must pray for God's will, and His will alone to be done. This is such a hard thing to pray for. In my mind, I want my friend to get better. I want to be able to talk to her again and I want God to provide everything in His power to make that happen. I can enlist every single prayer warrior I know to pray for her and ask God to move mountains to heal her, but if that is not His will, the it just isn't His will. VERY HARD LESSON. And lastly, though these last few days have been emotionally stressful and tiring and though I have tried to give my worry to the Lord, but can't seem to get it off my mind, I was reminded of something. Lesson #3: Always, always, always remember to thank and praise God for whatever outcome happens because in the end it is all part of His perfect, pleasing will. Ciara made it through. She is doing a lot better than she has been and I even got to talk with her. Praise the Lord. But, I hate to think about this, but it's something to be examined. If things would not have turned out for the best, would I have gotten on my knees and praised God and thanked Him for the precious life of hers? For the time I got to spend with her? Or would I have been angry with Him for taking away someone so special from me? I hope that I would get on my knees and lay it all down to the Lord and praise Him regardless of the situation. So right now, I praise God and thank Him for providing healing and that in every situation HIS will be done.