I have a very special friend who has taught me more about true friendship, than I could learn in a thousand lifetimes.  And throughout her many illnesses she has taught me more about courage, than I could learn on a battlefield.  She has been buffeted by disease, cut apart by surgeons and sewn back together, and she has endured long, painful recoveries.  Some successful.  Some not.  Yet one thing remains constant with Diane…her absolute selfless struggle to do more for others, than she will ever do for herself.

Diane and I live within an hour of one another.  We are both often housebound due to health issues.  Our friendship began over the internet, due to an odd twist of events.  Her brother is my pastor.  We both had health issues, and we began to share and pray together.  Also, it is through Diane, that I first was introduced to the world of ezines.

I will never forget one particularly difficult period, when my health issues and the weather were cooperating to make me housebound.  I emailed a short note to Diane telling her how much I wished we lived closer, so that I could just give her a hug.  Then I got as busy as was possible, and felt better just letting her know how I felt.  Next thing I knew, there was a knock at my door…no doubt a vacuum cleaner salesman.  I went to the door, ready for my “we don’t want any” speech, and there stood Diane, holding a balloon and wearing a big smile.  “Someone told me that you needed a hug!”  She said, holding out her arms and the balloon.  That’s Diane.

A little more than a year ago, my daughter, Jenny, was about to undergo brain surgery.  My God, it was so sudden!  There was no time to prepare.  My health would not permit me to go to the University of Virginia and be there for Jenny’s surgery. 

The prognosis was scary.  So much could go wrong.  My husband and daughter, Helen, went to be with Jenny, while I stayed home keeping prayerful watch, and emailing everyone I knew who believed in the power of prayer. 

 The prayer circle, literally, went around the world…Africa, Australia, Canada, Asia, and the Middle East.  Every kindred, tongue and people continued this circle of prayer, and through that prayer circle I met my dear friend, Steve Popoola.  And who was holding my hand through it all?  Diane.

 Diane epitomizes that woman “of noble character” in Proverbs 31.  Diane is “worth far more than rubies….   She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy,” even if the “needy” have more than Diane.

 I’m quite certain that Diane and I will be in heaven together, having all the time in eternity to do the things we love to do together, worshiping God, praying, and having all those long talks that we’ve missed during our many crises on earth.

I will look forward to resting in the eternal landscape of God’s true beauty.  I think I’ll need the rest, occasionally.  For I hope that I will receive the honor of helping to carry around that great crown, which I’m quite certain, God will be giving to Diane. 

 Jaye Lewis
jlewis@smyth.net

Jaye’s daughter Jenny is alive and well, after receiving two “groundbreaking” brain surgeries at the University of Virginia.  Thanks to all the prayer warriors of many faiths, throughout the world, for your support and prayers.  Diane lives in Bristol Tennessee USA, and she daily stretches her heart, and her prayer list to everyone in need.  Jaye Lewis is a Christian writer and poet.  Jaye lives with her family and writes in the beautiful southern highlands of southwestern Virginia, USA.