To All the "Barnabas'" in My Life...

Read Acts 4:32-37...Particularly verse 36-37..."And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles, which is translated Son of Encouragement..."

This morning my facebook friend "Pam" shared a story with me about a young woman named Angela who has a brain tumor.  Angela's family made a wonderful suggestion for a way to remember Angela in prayer each day.  Find a box, or a basket, or any special container...could be elaborate, could be very simple...and write Angela's name on a card and place it in this box.  Each day set aside a time to pray for Angela...open the box, lift out the card with her name and pray specifically for her by name.  I like that idea...and I pass it on to you, our prayer warriors...perhaps you could also do this for our Matthew, and the girl named Angela, and any others you may know who are in need of an extra blessing in their lives right now. When I pray for Matthew, I will also be praying for Angela.

I know there are so many people out there with similar stories and equal pain. It is always amazing to me how many we discover when we are going through some type of crisis...we are never alone. God sends people to us who have already walked this road before and can help shed some light along our dark path. We thank God for each and every one...and for all the children and people before our Matthew who have already suffered and perhaps died from this horrible disease.  Through their sacrifice they opened the door and shed light on this disease so that more research would be done and doctors like Dr. Morgan at Dana Farber Cancer Institute would have the necessary experience to be able to care for Matthew and possibly even lead the way to a cure. Matthew's story may actually lead to the cure for another person yet to come...who doesn't even have this disease yet.

We are definitely not alone on this road...there are many others with us...Friends I call "Barnabas", Sons and Daughters of Encouragement, carrying the torch, leading the way, cheering us on, and offering drinks of cool water as we pass by. You are one of them...thank you, and God bless you dear friend.