Heart Healing

Sep 5, 2012

Today has been long and scary and grace-filled. At 6:30 AM my husband Andy had quadruple bypass surgery. As a minister’s wife, I’m used to other people’s spouses in recovery and waiting rooms. It is a new experience for me to be on the receiving end of the prayers. Andy is thin and a non-smoker. He’s not an obvious candidate for heart disease.

The long wait for news from the operating room and the scariness of the procedure are obvious. (The long wait was actually broken by hourly updates from the OR nurses–an amazing practice of kindness.) What i never expected was the “surround-sound” of love from all around the country and beyond. Emails and texts from Maine, Florida, Washington, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Oregon, California, Louisiana, Delaware, North Carolina, Arkansas, Alabama, Sweden,…continue to arrive. A virtual prayer vigil has been operative for the past forty-eight hours–since we found out the surgery would happen.

There was also a little Praying in Color vigil at the hospital in the cafeteria. Friends Randall, Sharon, and Susan and I sat in the cafeteria and prayed and drew. My prayer is below.

I am overwhelmed by the vastness and wideness of love poured out on Andy and me. Thanks be to God and to friends.

There are so many wonderful heart passages in Scripture. Here are two I have held close to my heart today:

  • So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 2Corinthians 4:16 (NRSV)
  • A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 (NRSV)

7 Comments

  1. Sybil,
    I enjoy navigating to your heartfelt and informative blog. Thank you!
    I was surprised to see news of Andy’s surgery. Thank you for letting us all know. Mark and I together with our numerous Prince of Peace prayer partners are praying for you and for Andy as I type this note.
    Blessings and much love to both of you,
    Nancy

    Reply
  2. Sybil, just looked up your blog to see about news for Andy. David and I prayed for him yesterday as well as continuing today for his healing and recovery and your peace of mind. Beautiful blog today and gorgeous prayer coloring, I love the scriptures sent by the Spirit to comfort and loved reading about the outpouring of support for you and Andy. Appreciated that Andy let us know what was going on with him and looking forward to future posts.

    Reply
  3. Sybil, I was startled to see your Facebook posts about Andy’s surgery. Paul and I are praying for his sure and steady recovery. We pray also for continued strength for you during these exhausting days and nights.

    Reply
  4. Beautiful prayer. May both your hearts be strengthened at this time.
    Love, Merry

    Reply
  5. The Andy-Sybil Vigil continues!
    Love, Bindy

    Reply
  6. I can feel the love and energy beating both in and out in your beautiful work of art! I am sure Andy’s heart will get the message.
    oxoxs

    Reply
  7. Sybil, you, Andy, your family and his Doctors have been in our constant prayers across the river. What a magnificient prayer you have crafted…and you say you are not an artist??? Hope to see you both soon. God’s peace and healing to you and yours.

    Reply

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