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Every Day is Precious: Covered in prayer
Opinion by ROB PAYNE For Williamson A.M.
Our eyes have been opened to hundreds of loving people on this part of our journey. This past Saturday we received a beautifully warming mosaic and sampling of people behind the love. My Aunt Sara, after praying daily for Marcy, had the idea to make her a prayer quilt. She called her five children and my mother and asked each to contribute a square for the quilt. My mother knew that there are lots of people praying for Marcy daily and asked Marcy's mother (Karen) to help send quilt squares to other friends and neighbors. It was all a surprise to Marcy. Individually, each family put a little piece of their heart into a square of cloth. Collectively, they created a living, loving testament that will uplift our spirit daily. Each of these families prays for us daily and, through this quilt, sends us a message each day as well: My sister Patti, a teacher, guides us to continue to search for the Lord and for his strength. Carrie and my son, Troy, remind us that out of darkness comes light. Our neighbors, Dave and Pattie, bear our burdens as theirs. My cousin Sharon and her children lay hands on us. Marcy's sister Laura demonstrates that the four sisters are victorious over time. Audrey, the honorary fifth sister, sees Marcy walking with her again. Marcy's sister Joni, the vet tech, reaches out through the love of pets. Marcy's mother, Karen, pictures our family whole. Karen's friend Jan reminds us that all things work for good for those who love God. My cousin Julie reminds us that our home keeps in perfect peace as long as our minds are on Him. Marcy's Aunt Max, eighty something years old, gives us a simple message: keep the faith. My cousin Cathy sends His angels to guard us in all our ways. My Aunt Sara, who started the quilt, like God, and as God's sheep, puts our prayers in golden bowls. My Aunt Pat, the artist and art teacher, paints us in a place for new beginnings. My mother, like our loving God, plans for our welfare and our future. My sister Jeni watches for Marcy's go-go spirit to return. My brother Eddie and my sister-in-law Pam remind us that every day's trial, like the day itself, is precious. Our friend Holly sees God showering Marcy with beauty. Our friends Jeanie and Gene see Marcy looking to God always. Mariellen, who champions our dinner caregivers, renews our strength by waiting on God. My cousin Sherri reminds us the greatest gift is love. Our friend Anna sees faith, hope, and love grow. My cousin Ellen reminds us why God gives us His Son. Our neighbor Connie (and the two prospective baby sitting customers she has for Darcy) watch over Marcy along with God while we sleep. Another ''God thing'' came in the putting together of the quilt. My mother's house was the destination address for all quilt squares. She was uneasy about putting them all together until a stranger named Denise overheard Mom's uneasiness in a fabric store outside Atlanta, Georgia. Denise called fellow church members from the Hiram United Methodist Church in Hiram, Georgia to an emergency quilting bee and lovingly assembled the finished peace. Hanging in our home, it is a daily reminder that we are all interconnected. Together we all make up the fabric of life, a tapestry of love for each other. To see pictures of the quilt and read the scriptural references, go to www.EveryDayIsPrecious.com and click the ''Prayer Quilt'' button. If you know a family in need, consider organizing the creation of a prayer quilt for them. The finished product will cover them with love. Every Day Is Precious is a column to remind us to treat everyone we see today as if it could be the last time we see them. It is written by Rob Payne, whose wife, Marcy, was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) in August 2000. Now 40 years old, she has gone from winning 5 and 10K races to being quadriplegic and on a ventilator at home. Visit www.EveryDayIsPrecious.com. Readers may contribute to her care by sending donations to Every Day Is Precious, 2051 Harvington Drive, Franklin, TN 37069. Please join us Monday, October 20, 2003 at Mulligans for Marcy, a golf and dinner fundraiser for Marcy's care. Go to www.EveryDayIsPrecious.com for information. If you have helped someone without being asked, or know of someone who has, share it with others. Send to rob@everydayisprecious.com or to Every Day Is Precious, 2051 Harvington Drive, Franklin, TN 37069.
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