"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

In the last few days, Jesus' words from the cross have come to me over and over. How I want to cry out these very same words, even though I know, as Jesus certainly did, that I have not been forsaken; my God is with me always. Our human minds cannot possibly grasp the greatness and perfection of God's plan and often circumstances in our lives seem too difficult to bear, yet we must fight on.

I received some discouraging news today. My dear friend Betty has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Though she is not sure if it is malignant, it is certainly a possibility we must all face. She was kind enough to share this news with me herself, and was so calm and at peace as she told me.

Any of you who know Betty realize that she is a true angel on earth and a woman of great faith. Even before our friendship blossomed, she always sent me cards when I was sick or in the hospital. That has been one of her amazing ministries, sending cards with words of encouragement to those who need them.

Betty is the one who encouraged and inspired me to write A Journey Toward Spiritual Peace. An amazing author herself, she was willing to listen to my ideas, read my drafts, and give me kind, but honest criticism. I have been so blessed by her friendship and always smile when I see the subject: Friend Stuff in my e-mail inbox because it is a message from this lovely lady.

Betty has sent so many prayers to heaven for so many worthy people and I ask you now to pray for her and her family. Though Betty is at peace with where she is, it is not easy for family members to accept our failing health.

Please, be with this wonderful family, Lord, bring them comfort, peace, and encouragement. Bring Betty the physical strength to handle whatever medical struggles may come and the continued peace of knowing she is in Your hands, loved and protected.

I hope you have listened to the words to my latest blog song, Anyway, by Martina McBride. My friend Rose sent me this album (specifically for this song) during one of my emotionally low times and its words helped me...

"God is Great, but sometimes life ain't good,

and when I pray it doesn't always

end up like I think it should,

but I do it Anyway!"

I have often shared with you times when God has truly intervened in my life. After I spoke with Betty this morning, I was feeling so sad. I have been putting off getting my Driver's License renewed, (the dreaded trip to the DMV!) but decided when I woke up from my nap that I had to bite the bullet. Mom took me to the DMV (Which was surprisingly quiet with no wait time, thank you God!) and then we had to stop at K-Mart to pick up some prescriptions. I didn't feel up to going in with her, so I stayed in the car, and I couldn't believe my eyes when Betty and her husband Eric pulled into a spot close to ours. I haven't been able to see Betty for a while, with both of our health issues, and have missed her smiling face. I was able to climb in the car and visit with her for a few minutes until my mom came back and it helped my sad heart so much! (Thank you, God!)

God is GREAT, but sometimes life ain't good... but we need to keep living Anyway!

All my love! Nancy