The Gift of Life
Carol Condon
www.carolcondon.com
I am
sitting next to you watching each of your heartbeats being measured on the
screen. The fragile motion of the rise and fall of each breath you take
is a reminder of how precious life really is. The IV machines hum as clear
drops fall into your bloodstream strengthening you for the day that will soon
dawn.
Just 12
hours earlier my life jolted to a stop as I heard the doctor say the dreaded
words, "Your husband has had a heart attack and there are signs of heart
damage." How could this be? Isn't life just like a light
switch? We turn it on for desired light and flip it off when welcoming darkness
just as we lie down to sleep when weary and rise when rested. Isn't life just
that simple?
In a
matter of a crushed heartbeat our life has changed. The schedule that was
finalized is now tentative, our daily lunch dates are on hold, and we are now
just taking life one moment at a time. The precious gift of love that we share
will never again be taken for granted. As I watch you finally drift asleep
after hours of agony, fear, and disappointment, I begin to hear the rumbling
snores of your slumber and it is music to my ears.
I
overheard you today as you spoke with the imaging specialist while pictures of
your heart were being filmed. When a close up of your heart entered the screen
your voice quietly asked, "Does my love for Carol show up on there?"
I believe my own heart skipped a beat.
Life is
a gift and one that is so often taken for granted instead of embraced with a
passion. Thank you, Mark, for loving me, our children, our ministry, our
church, and most of all our Savior who spared your life today. I am forever
grateful.
II
Corinthians 1:20
For all
the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by
us.
Incredible!!! Your writing skills are crazy! So glad you are my sister. We have been praying for Mark since the call yesterday morning and our church will soon be praying as Mark goes in for the heart cath. I love you!!!
ReplyDeleteMike
Beautiful...I began to tear up as I read this...we have added Mark to our church prayer bulletin...believing/expecting full recovery. We love you guys!
ReplyDeleteWe love you Carol and you are all in our prayers....please let us know if we can help you or the kids in any way.
ReplyDeleteSo well written!! You are awesome! Continuing prayers for all of you. Give Mark an extra hug for me. I love you!
ReplyDeleteLove, Hugs, and Prayers!
Pam
You have brought tears to my eyes! Words straight from the heart...
ReplyDeleteOkay......that last line was a little hard to read.......my vision was a little blurry.....
ReplyDeleteGayle
Well put Sis Carol. Your words are beautiful. Praying for quick healing and peace. Love you all.. :) let us know if you all need anything at all.
ReplyDelete<3
Andrea Taynor
Sitting here, tears filling my eyes reading this. So sweet. Praying for Mark and for you, Carol. Love, prayers, and hugs!
ReplyDeleteCarol, what beautiful words to share your feelings, your such a beautiful Woman of God! There will be an indelable impression left upon the hearts of Mark's caregivers at the hospital. They will not forget you, Mark or your amazing family long after he's been healed! May the peace and Healing of The Lord saturate Mark, You and your Family, I pray for a Complete Healing in Jesus Name. Thanks for sharing Carol!
ReplyDeleteMa'am, I am praying for your dear husband and his complete recovery. I have been blessed by his music through the years and more recently, his song "Cover Me," was so timely as I had a very dear preacher friend (43 years young)fighting for his life as cancer ravaged his body. I was able to send him the link to hear the song and he was blessed by it. Just 2 weeks ago he was promoted, and that song gave me great comfort.
ReplyDeleteThis is a scary time for you and your children, but I know that God's comfort and strength will be with you every step of the way...
With Love, Peggy
ReplyDeletemy computer has been down, so I just found out when I read your post. I have been praying for Mark and the rest of you also. I read what you just wrote, with tears in my eyes. I so can identify....hearing words that you "don't want to hear", brings us to the reality....we cannot take anything for granted. Love you, and will keep praying.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Aunt Gennell
Praying in TN. My husband & I lived in Groveport many years ago. He is Mike Wilson's brother in Delaware.
ReplyDeleteWe love you all, Carol. God is faithful -- believing for a miracle.
ReplyDeleteLove you and praying for you all.
ReplyDeleteWhat a picture you just painted for those of us who are waiting, wondering, and praying for Mark! God's love for us is even more impressive and awe-inspiring. HE truly loves His children--thankful Mark has always put God first in his life (just a little above where he puts you). Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteVery touching, praying for you and your husband in GA! ~The Causey Family
ReplyDeleteSo beautifully written. Prayers from Livingston.
ReplyDeleteprayers n (((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteBeautiful
ReplyDeleteHeld in our prayers
Young's of Landmark Malden Mo
Carol, you and your family have an army of saints all over the world carrying you and Mark to Jesus on the wings of prayer! God is THE healer and we pray expecting nothing less!! Vermont will be praying!! Your ministries are very much appreciated here!
ReplyDeleteSis. Carol, Your words are beautiful and we appreciate you sharing. Bro. Mark and all of you are in our prayers. Praying the peace of God cover all of you! Love and prayers, The Roca family
ReplyDeleteCover me, certainly has true meaning now, God Bless
ReplyDeletePraying for you and your family Carol
ReplyDeleteDear Sis. Carol and family:
ReplyDeleteI will be praying for Bro. Mark's rapid, complete healing, and for strength for your family. Love in Christ from PA.
Our church choir songs are about 90% Mark Condon's. What an amazing singer and songwriter he is. I'd like to just thank Mark and his dear wife and children for allowing Jesus to work in their lives. The Lord has blessed all you so richly and in turn the rest of us share in the overflow...God has a plan, a good plan in store...hold fast, in Jesus' name
ReplyDeletePraying for you all!!
ReplyDeleteWOW what a story. I am praying for your family and that your Husband has a speedy recovery. May God bless you!!! ~Debra~
ReplyDeleteLife as we know it can change so quickly, but God is unchanging, immovable, eternally the same. May you both be strengthened by this truth, and by the prayers of many, in the coming days.
ReplyDeleteWe will be praying for him and your family. God is an awesome God. Some time he just wants us to be still so he can speak to us. It's in those quiet times that he tell us the most awesome things.
ReplyDeleteDear Carol - you are in my thoughts and prayers. Praying that God will restore the heart to its previous healthy state, and that the doctors will have divine wisdom and guidance from our Father. Also praying that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guide your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.
ReplyDeleteDear Carol, my thoughts and prayers are with you and Mark..I too suffered the same thing. was stubborn and refused to go to the doctor. I finally realized that I was having a heart attack even though only 55 years old. your music has been such a blessing to me and the churches I have helped the last year. God does everything for a reason and He has His hand on Mark and your family. Through my trial, I finally got rid of the fear of ministry and told God I would go anywhere He sent me and do anything he wanted me to do. I have been blessed. Be encouraged! God is on the throne and He will show you and Mark the path to take.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless
Mike Welch
There is a depth known only to a Child of the King that we can see beyond what our eyes behold. We see with our eyes but it is the heart's eyes that truly see what God gives and keeps us through and sometimes takes away. It is the hearts eyes that remind us that our God is truly good and that this pain and suffering in our bodies is not a punishment like some think but rather our bodies suffering from that fall from that place that was walking right next to Him in the beginning. It's like our bodies scream for oxygen but in reality it is not that, it is our very core breaking down from the closeness that it was intended for in that perfect state of being. God is good and the Devil lies thus all this suffering and blame in our bodies is the fault of the Devil. But we have a Father and a Savior and a Holy Spirit that never leaves nor forsakes His own. He holds us through the tough times and even is there during the times of ease. Always sending reminders of His love for us to which we then share through His grace to those that we love around us causing them to love Him even. Your words opened up my heart and I am pouring it out. Life is so precious and every moment is truly a "present" and to God be the glory all through our lives and may our Blessed Redeemer be lifted up. Blessings and Prayers in Jesus Name.
ReplyDeletewanted to let you know you and your family have been on my mind, thoughts and prayer. i now you and the family have been though a lot just know god is always there. love ya and the family
ReplyDeleteIt has been a little over 16 months and I have just revisited this particular blog that I wrote while in the hospital with Mark. For some reason, probably quite distracted with fear, I missed all of these precious comments. I think God saved them for me today. Thank you all so much and we still are thanking God for His goodness to us.
ReplyDeleteBe blessed and rest in His favor,
Carol Condon