A Friend in Need, a Friend Indeed

In this excerpt from the 2014 edition of Daily Guideposts, a woman who faces a daunting medical procedure sees her prayers answered.

Marion Bond West

The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease…—LAMENTATIONS 3:22 (NAS)

I awakened early the morning of my breast biopsy. My husband, two daughters and I would be driving into Atlanta for the surgery. Family, friends and I had prayed for a good result. But in the hours before my procedure, I knew I needed a friend with me–back where family couldn’t go.

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Father, would you let someone who loves you be there with me? I need an instant friend.

At the hospital, we went back to the large surgical area. A smiling nurse greeted us. “We’ll take very good care of her,” she told my family. They say that to everyone, I thought, hugging my husband and daughters goodbye.

Inside my small, curtained cubicle, the nurse said my name with what seemed like unusual excitement. She pulled up a chair very close to my bed. “I’ve been praying for you since I saw your name on the schedule,” she said. “I could hardly wait for you to get back here.”

I must have looked puzzled.

“We met fifteen years ago, Marion,” she explained. “You were speaking at a women’s meeting about your life, struggles, fears.” She leaned over and gave me a genuine hug. In a few minutes, we were sitting close together on my small bed, talking like old college chums—even laughing.

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As she took my blood pressure and temperature, put an IV into my hand, and gave me slip-proof socks, my instant friend and I remained connected by our Father.

Lord, teach me to anticipate your mercy.

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