Last week, I posted a status update on my Facebook page asking the readers of the blog to pray for a miracle for Wanda Harrison, the wife of my friend Kevin. She had unexpectedly suffered a brain bleed that left her in a coma and without much hope for surviving. I concluded the status update by saying,
I know that it’s hard to figure out how to respond to status updates like this one. Nobody wants to ‘like’ bad news. So here’s an idea: if you will join me in a simple prayer for God to do a wild miracle for Wanda, just tap the like button to indicate your agreement, and let’s go for it. You never know what might happen.
If the “likes” for that post were any indicator, at least 450 people stopped and asked God to bring Wanda back to Kevin. I know Kevin, his family, and God were blessed by the faithfulness of those who prayed, but today, God will be bringing Wanda back home to be with Him.
This is doubly heart-wrenching for Kevin, whose 15-year-old daughter woke up with a piercing headache in the middle of the night seven years ago. After telling Kevin she loved him, she collapsed and died of a brain aneurysm shortly thereafter. Last night, Kevin shared this update:
I’m alone. The house is quiet. The only sound to disturb my sleep tonight is the sound of tasks I now have to do clanging against memories. Tomorrow begins a new chapter in my life. I do not look forward to this chapter at all. I’m in bed but I’m not sure how it is I am supposed to go to sleep. I could pretend that my love is just away for work and will be home soon but somehow my pretender got broken.
Tomorrow I will be signing documents that will ensure that this hole in my heart will get bigger.
Seven years ago I got by because someone was beside me to give me direction while I gave her laughter. Now I feel directionless without her. She was my compass. Without her I am drifting aimlessly.
I don’t know if you have ever had someone in your life that was so totally polar opposite that they completed you. That is my love.
So, how do you do it? What makes you survive?
MY survival is dependent on my Lord. He uses several tools. The first of which is Faith. The second is Friends, which I will definitely be calling on. Which leads me to Fellowship, which I so desperately need. And finally, I need sleep. I’ll work on that.
To those who read this blog, will you please take some time apart to pray for Kevin as he releases Wanda to be with Jesus and their daughter, Beth? This is one of those times when the Body of Christ can come together in a miraculous way, even if we didn’t receive the miracle we prayed for.
Joshua Rogers 
Josh, thanks for sharing. This is awful, and it’s heartbreaking. I am committing to pray for Kevin.
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I have been praying continuously all week & will continue to lift the Harrison family in prayer!
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I pray that there is peace for you. God knows best what we need and has a plan for each of us. Sometimes that hard for our hearts but you have to have faith in Gods choices.
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I am crying as I read this, Wanda is my second cousin, and as many of us, we didn’t visit like we should have, but that does not mean that the love of family is not there. I pray for Kevin to find peace knowing Wanda and Beth are together, and I am also praying for Janie ,her MoM , and her sisters and brother,,Thank you for posting this, praying . kathy mooney
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Thank you for sharing this story. I pray for Kevin and Wanda’s family that God’s will be done. A prayer of peace in this time of earthly pain.
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Dear Kevin,
I was so sorry when I read the sad news about your beautiful wife. I remember when I saw how brave you both were as you stood greeting all of us who came to tell you how sorry we were that your beautiful daughter had gone on ahead of you to be with our wonderful Lord and Saviour so young. I know that once again He will give you the strength and courage to walk through all the days ahead of you. I will be praying for you and your family.
Love in Christ,
Kathy Neves Phil.4:13
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Oh…I am so sorry for this news you are now dealing with . Since I know the Lord and I see that you have had to go through so much already I am thanking the Lord for the strength and comfort that none of us know so well as when we need it and only the Lord can provide .
The Lord is near those who are of a broken heart.
I am thanking Him for sustaining you at this time and your extended family and friends.
There is simply deep sorrow that indicates a deeper love and so there is a great supply from Him who knows the depth of our need for Him in times like these.
Many hugs for your aching heart.
We are blessed with the Hope in times like these so we have comfort that the world does not know but needs so desperately.
Psa 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
May His peace be within you.
Jhn 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
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This is such an assault. The battle is raging. Though I am thankful for the comfort of God, I am also livid at the rampant loss of life. Jesus help us to release life and not death to each other in all we do. And more than ever keep Kevin above the waves. Amen
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[…] 1. My Friend’s Wife is Going to Jesus Today – Please Pray: I wish this weren’t one of the top posts. In fact, I wish I never had to write it, because it was a necessary call to pray for my friend Kevin Harrison the day he had to make a decision no spouse wants to make. Thanks to the thousands of you who took the time to pray for Kevin and Wanda after reading this post, and please take a moment to read Kevin’s follow-up post, Grieving Loss on Facebook. […]
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