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by Idelette McVickerThere are about 2930 names in the Bible, but only about a hundred of them finished well. Canadian Judy Rae wants to finish well.
"Heaven is looking better every day," she said, her personality still shining through brightly, in spite of the cancer.
The disease has now reached her brain, both in the anterior and frontal lobes. "Although she has undergone radiation treatments, the cancer has not been arrested. There's nothing more the medical field can do," said Doug Rae, her husband and a director with Campus Crusade for Christ Canada. It's obvious that he knows: the only person who can heal Judy now is God.
Battling cancer has brought them closer together than ever. But it wasn't always like that. When Doug and Judy were married in 1961, things didn't flow smoothly. "We weren't doing anything wrong; we just weren't doing anything right," Doug said. They had very different perspectives on God. When Doug chose to follow Christ soon after their marriage, he was alone in his decision.
Six years later, however, Judy agreed to accompany him to a Campus Crusade for Christ Executive Conference. The gathering concentrated on the theme of Christian commitment, and then and there Judy decided that she couldn't be committed as a Christian until she became one. Vonette Bright, co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, seized the opportunity and led Judy to the Lord.
Over the years God healed and strengthened their marriage and also blessed them with three children: Susan, Wendy and Gary. Today Judy is grandma of three.
"If every mother and grandmother had the love and interest in her children that Judy does, the world would definitely be a better place," said Doug. Carter, the eldest grandson, realized early on just how special his Mimi (grandma) is. At five, he asked her to marry him.
Apart from loving her family, Judy poured her creativity into fabric folk art. It became more than a hobby when more than 600 people showed up to enjoy the annual Country House Craft Fair" she put on before Christmas. Exhibiting her own creations along with other craft enthusiasts in her community, Judy created a much-loved tradition. For many, Christmas just wasn't the same without a visit to Judy's craft fair.
In 1998 Judy was diagnosed with cancer. Her lumpectomy showed that only one lymph node was affected, but six months later doctors found that the cancer was moving at an alarming rate. Fourteen lymph nodes were cancerous. She continued to receive treatment, but the cancer soon spread to the liver and then to the chest cavity.
Judy had questions. She didn't know where to turn to for answers, except to God. She also realized that other cancer victims would experience similar bouts of anger and frustration, and she wanted to make sure they knew where to find hope. With Judy Thorne of North Shore Alliance Church in North Vancouver, Judy started a support group for women with cancer called "Wings of Hope."
"If you are wondering where God is in your journey as a woman with cancer, join us," they say. The group meets every second Monday of the month to share their experiences, information on issues related to cancer and its treatment, as well as care for the spirit.
Although the path has not been easy, Judy praises the Lord daily. "Well, you know," she says, "I'm just focused on Jesus."
She is as determined as ever to finish well.
Judy Rae knows the peace that comes from living in the Spirit. Do you? Are you living your life in the power of the Holy Spirit?
God wants to be our leverage in living, empowering us to feel better about ourselves, more excited about our future, more grateful for those we love and more enthusiastic about our faith.
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, God has given you His Holy Spirit to help you live life according to His perfect plan. Why not pray this simple prayer and by faith invite Him to fill you with His Spirit:
Dear Father, I need you. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you by directing my own life. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ's death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." ~ Isaiah 40:31
