Trust in the Lord with all your heart and Be Patient

by Pat Cocuzza
I'd like to begin my praise story with; I am a breast cancer survivor of 16 years. I say this right away so that you won't feel sorry for me because it is past history.
Prior to 2002, I had begun a closer relationship with God. I had been attending bible studies and realized how much God loved me and how important He is in my life. So when I was told that I had breast cancer, I admit I was shocked and afraid. I pleaded with God to let me live, I wanted to see my grandchildren. It was too soon. Though that afternoon was full of fear and uncertainty for myself and my family, the day was over and a new day began. My life had not changed. I still got up made breakfast and continued my day and the next and so on. I thank God that I had people in my life that I turned to for prayer and support.
God was and is my strength.
God is always there waiting for me to realize that I can always turn to Him. "So be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you or abandon you." Deuteronomy 31:6
Right after I was diagnosed, I was at a church service and one of the readings were Psalm 103:1 and 3 "Let all that I am praise the Lord with my whole heart. I will praise His holy name. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.” I felt God was letting me know He heard me.
It has been many years since and my relationship with God has grown. Spending time with Him in prayer and attending bible studies has increased my joy and faith in God and my Savior Jesus Christ. One of my studies and book that I read was the "The Circle Maker" by Pastor Mark Batterson. I learned to circle my family and friends in prayer for their redemption, health, protection, etc. One of my prayer requests was to be blessed with grandchildren. My faith and trust continued to grow through my prayers and time spent with God. The first prayer asking for grandchildren was in 2002 when I was diagnosed and neither of my sons were married. When I prayed again asking God to circle them with blessings, protection and health and praying for a grandchild, God answered my prayer. Within a year of my prayer requests, I was blessed with the announcement that I was to be a grandmother and my grandson was born on January 1st, 2017.
God hears our prayers and answers in His time. I had learned trust and patience.
One final note on God answering prayers. My father's name was John. He passed away when I was very young. I thought it would be nice to have the baby named John though I never mentioned this to my son and daughter-in-law. They told us of their decision to name the baby Ian Tyler when we were vacationing together. When I returned to work I told my friends the baby's name was Ian Tyler. We decided to look up what the name means. Ian is Scottish for John. And the name Ian means a gift from God. What overwhelming joy I felt when I heard this. To know God hears us and answers our prayers. Only God can grant our prayers when we are faithful and if it is for our good. Isaiah 30: 18-19 "So the Lord must wait for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion for the Lord is a faithful God."
Have you had a time in your life that you had to put your trust in the Lord and patiently wait for His answers? Have you experienced God's answers and was it the answers you wanted or needed? Comment below.