What Faith Looks Like

What Faith Looks Like

I've had the privilege of being in the company of so many faithful Christians over the past 51 years. I have so many family members who have set such a Godly example. I've had many friends over the years who have been devoted to living for Jesus. Today I want to share one of the biggest blessings that has ever been bestowed on me, a friendship I've had for over 20 years.

The year my son started kindergarten at Vilonia Elementary School, I also started working there as an aide. At a meeting a couple of days before school started, I sat across the table from a teacher who had also just been hired. We began talking and soon learned we had a lot in common. Our friendship was pretty much immediate and it wasn't long before we were spending time together outside of school. She was my oldest daughter's sixth grade English teacher and, of course, Kristi loved her. The rest of my family would soon also grow to love her and she became like a member of our family very quickly.

One of our favorite things to do over the past 20+ years is to meet at Cracker Barrel for breakfast on Saturday morning from time to time. Our "breakfasts" have never been less than four hours long. After feasting on pancakes and bacon, we always end up sitting in the rocking chairs on the porch of Cracker Barrel and talking for hours. She's a special person. I love her. My mother always told me if a person has two people in their lifetime who prove themselves to be true friends, that person is very blessed. I have been greatly blessed. A person couldn't have a more true, caring, trustworthy friend on this earth.

A little over a year ago, my friend had some medical tests done. She called me late one evening, on a Wednesday, and said, "It's cancer". I felt my heart drop and there was a lump in my throat so huge I could hardly get a word out. I can't even recall the details of that conversation now, but we talked for awhile. I told her I would come over, but she assured me that she was fine and that she really just needed some time alone to process this information she'd just gotten that afternoon. She said, "Just pray, just pray".

This wasn't her first experience at being slapped in the face by bad news. She'd had many letdowns and heartbreaks in years past. Still, she leaned on Jesus and never harbored bitterness or self pity.

Many tests later, she was scheduled for surgery. Just before Thanksgiving, she had extensive surgery and the news wasn't good. Just like before, through the bad reports after tests and less-than-optimistic discussions with various doctors, she never lost faith. She was very concerned and anxious about what she would be facing from a medical aspect, she admitted that. But, she never lost faith. After one of the visits with her oncologist before the surgery, after being given the "I don't want to give you false hope" lecture from the doctor, we were on our way back to Conway. My heart was so heavy for my dear friend. Tears were welling up in her eyes and began to overflow onto her cheeks, as she expressed her deepest thoughts and feelings. I'll never forget what she said to me. Tears were streaming, but she still had that sweet, peaceful smile on her face, as she said, "I don't know what is going to happen, but I do know this: God will heal me one way or the other. He will either heal my physical body or He'll give me a new body when He takes me to Heaven". She added, "No matter what happens, it's going to be okay". I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit so strongly as I heard her very calmly and very assuredly express her complete and unflinching confidence in her Lord and Savior. I began thanking the Lord for this dear friend whose bad diagnosis would become such an inspirational testimony to so many people.

Just a few short months ago, after going through several months of chemotherapy and very close observation by her oncologist, she was told that she appeared to be another miracle. Her last tests were completely clear and she appeared to be cancer free. We were all rejoicing and celebrating!
Last night I returned home and had a message on my machine. It was my friend. She was her usual sweet self and said she "just wanted to talk to me". But, there was something in her voice that wasn't quite right. I tried returning her call a few times, but I received no answer. I left voice mails. This morning I looked for her at church, but couldn't find her. I was concerned because she was always at church. After I'd taken my seat at my usual spot, I turned around and saw my sweet friend walking toward me. We'd somehow missed each other and she'd come to find me. Before she even reached me, I felt something wasn't right. She had that same sweet smile, but a different look in her eyes. We hugged and I complimented her new hairstyle. This was the first time she hadn't worn a wig in almost a year. Her hair had grown enough to be cut and styled into a very cute cut. I was telling her how nice it looked on her and she grabbed me and hugged me again, very tightly. As we embraced, she began telling me why she'd wanted to talk to me the evening before and why I'd picked up a different tone in her voice mail. "The followup tests weren't good. The cancer markers are very high. There's something hiding inside me and they have to try to find where it is". Oh no, not again. We really thought this was fixed once and for all. She'd been doing so well. I looked at her and saw huge tears welling up in her eyes. But still, that sweet smile. I couldn't hide my concern and my shock, but her smile reassured me. "It's going to be okay, no matter what".

My sweet friend, one of the dearest friends I've ever had in my life. I'm sad today, but I'm trying to have faith. I'm hoping some of her faith will rub off on me. What a testimony! What an example of genuine faith! I've witnessed her close fellowship with Jesus Christ for over 20 years, day in and day out, through good and bad. I've observed her ongoing trust in her Lord and Savior no matter what life throws her way. I don't know why God blessed me with her friendship all these years, but I'll forever be so very thankful He has. To be able to call Beverly McGuire a close friend is quite an honor and a privilege. I've learned so much from her about faith and forgiveness and Christ-like love.

We don't know what the next few months hold in store for this beautiful, petite, soft-spoken, strong warrior who wears the Armor of God like a glove, but I'm hanging onto the fact that "it'll all be okay, no matter what". This is what faith looks like.

Susan Trafford Martin
November 21, 2010