JACKSON, Tenn. (ABP) — When Eric and Sharon Langshur's son, Matthew, was born five years ago with a congenital heart defect, they created a simple web site to provide updates, a message board, and a photo gallery for friends and family.
Now, as Libby Gray battles cancer in Jackson, her family uses the same site to network with Christians who are offering prayers on her behalf.
Gray and her husband, Bradley, report daily to a list that has grown to more than five thousand people worldwide. Called CarePages.com, the free service is offered by more than 300 health care facilities. The list helps people with serious illnesses to communicate with family and friends.
Bradley Gray, a minister of music at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, said the site gives them opportunities to give to others while they receive support from many.
“Yesterday I thanked a Christian Motorcycle Association member for the prayer given on Libby's behalf by fellow members all over the country, a connection I couldn't have guessed Libby would ever have,” he said.
Bradley said he reads every post to Libby as a way to encourage her.
“Sometimes what blesses us the most is just scanning down the list of people who accessed the site that day,” he said. “Here are folks who know us and haven't known us who have read the update and probably have prayed a short prayer. It is very hard for us to imagine how much prayer is offered on our behalf.”
Although she never smoked, Libby was diagnosed with medically incurable stage four lung cancer. In January, doctors found a large mass restricting her right lung and nine cancerous areas on her brain; they are now treating her with an aggressive regimen of radiation and chemotherapy.
While Bradley said he started using CarePages simply as a tool to send short messages to family and friends interested in Libby's condition, the posts and the growing guest list have become a daily source of encouragement. Now, Bradley uses the site to reach other readers. Before Valentine's Day, Bradley told them to make the most of the special day.
“We have been blessed to make every one special,” he noted, “but reminders that we cannot assume endless V-days have made tomorrow very rich for us. Libby and I encourage you to do the same. Tell someone you love them and that Jesus does, too.”
From a small church in Oklahoma to letters from Brazil and Romania, Bradley said, the comments have prompted his family to prayer and concern for others.
“Libby and I can't help but smile as nurses, technicians, and fellow patients watch Libby's testimony of faith play out with such quiet strength,” he wrote. “God is using this in our lives to give a testimony of who God is, even in tough times.”
When Libby had breathing problems and lost her voice and hair, she wrote to her supporters that she found her strength in God and her husband.
“Brad has been an awesome caregiver, always by my side, and has helped me through the ups and downs of this journey,” she wrote. “He's the best.”
And while Bradley said the physical and emotional exhaustion has taken a toll, the suffering has refined his love for God.
“One of God's gifts to us in suffering is that we are granted to see and experience depths of his word that a life of ease would never yield,” Bradley said. “I testify from my small experience that this is true. Disappointment, loss, sickness, and fear send me deeper into God and his word than ever. Clouds of trifling are blown away and the glory of unseen things shines in the heart's eye.”
To pray for Libby and Bradley Gray and their three children, Lauren, Austin, and Evan, visit www.carepages.com and fill in the site name Bamuzing.
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