Sharing Sarah Henry

A few weeks ago, just after Christmas, I reached out to my childhood best friend. The memories escape me now, but from the time we were about 9 years old to about 11 we were inseparable. Before puberty. Before cliques. Before our identities were realized. We were best friends. And even though we hadn't spoken in years, reaching out to Sierra made my heart smile despite the circumstance.

After literally a lifetime apart, going to our respective colleges, starting careers and family, etc., we reconnected on Facebook a year or so ago. Other than looking at the pictures of her beautiful baby boy and wonderful husband, I hadn't talked to her much. But then one day, in late December 2012, I saw a post on her page asking for prayer. And my heart strings were pulled, drawn to the girl that was a sister to me.

She shared the story of her sister-in-law, Sarah Henry, who was fighting for her life after having a series of strokes. Sarah, who is only in her early 30s and has 3 beautiful children, (from what I can gather) is an amazingly kind woman with a genuine heart and godly spirit. So, to find out about what had happened to her was breath-taking and sobering.

However, when I reached out to Sierra and told her that I would be praying for her sister-in-law, Sarah, I never knew what I'd come to see in this real life account of God's work. Sierra posted the link to a blog that had been written by Sarah's best friend (Jennie Allen). Jennie Allen happens to be a well-known author and minister. Her words about Sarah were inspiring, transparent, and real. She pleaded with people to pray for healing, restoration, and a miracle from the Lord.

And, you know what? It's working. All the prayers. The tributes. The intercession. The pleading out to God...is working. Sarah is being healed, in the name of Jesus. I have been able to keep up with her progress because of the daily updates provided on her CaringBridge.com account. And I pray for her. Diligently. I've spoken to my family and prayer partners about her. And we pray for her. And countless other people pray for her. People that know her well. People that do not know her at all. People that have only been made aware of her story via the world wide web. They pray for her.

To think, that a couple of facebook links and shared posts from others who I certainly do not know have allowed me to participate actively in the healing of one of God's children, is amazing. I'm so thankful that my childhood friend, who I haven't spoken to in years, linked to me to such a miraculous work.

I am humbled. I am honored. And, in sharing Sarah Henry, I am reminded that I must always share Jesus. Be it through Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, YouTube...His Story is Sarah's story.

"¹³ Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Confess your trespasses^[e] to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
James 5:13-17 (NKJV)