Email

Bookmark

Print

A Rae of Hope

There are about 2,930 names in the Bible, but only about a hundred of them finished well.  Canadian, Judy Rae, wants to finish well.

"Heaven is looking better every day," she said, her personality still shining through brightly, in spite of the cancer.

The disease has now reached her brain, both in the anterior and frontal lobes.

"Although she has undergone radiation treatments, the cancer has not been arrested. There's nothing more the medical field can do," said Doug Rae, her husband and Board of Director with Campus Crusade for Christ, Canada.

It's obvious that he knows the only person who can heal Judy now is God.

Different Perspectives
Battling cancer has brought them closer together than ever. But it wasn't always like that.  When Doug and Judy were married in 1961, things didn't flow smoothly. "We weren't doing anything wrong; we just weren't doing anything right," Doug said. They had very different perspectives on God. When Doug chose to follow Christ soon after their marriage, he was alone in his decision.

Six years later, however, Judy agreed to accompany him to a Campus Crusade for Christ Executive Conference. The gathering concentrated on the theme of Christian commitment. Then and there Judy decided that she couldn't be committed as a Christian until she became one. Vonette Bright, co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, seized the opportunity and led Judy to the Lord.

Many Blessings
Over the years God healed and strengthened their marriage and also blessed them with three children: Susan, Wendy and Gary. Today Judy is grandma of three.

"If every mother and grandmother had the love and interest in her children that Judy does, the world would definitely be a better place," said Doug.

Carter, the oldest grandson, realized early on just how special his Mimi (grandma) is. At five, he asked her to marry him.

Apart from loving her family, Judy poured her creativity into fabric folk art. It became more than a hobby when over 600 people showed up to enjoy the annual Country House Craft Fair she hosted before Christmas. Exhibiting her own creations along with other craft enthusiasts in her community, Judy created a much-loved tradition. For many, Christmas just wasn't the same without a visit to Judy's craft fair.

Then IT Came....
In 1998 Judy was diagnosed with cancer. Her lumpectomy showed that only one lymph node was affected, but six months later, doctors found that the cancer was moving at an alarming rate. Fourteen lymph nodes were cancerous. She continued to receive treatment but the cancer soon spread to the liver and then to the chest cavity.

Judy had questions. She didn't know where to turn to for answers, except to God. She also realized that other cancer victims would experience similar bouts of anger and frustration and she wanted to make sure they knew where to find hope. Together with Judy Thorne of North Shore Alliance Church in North Vancouver, Judy started a support group for women with cancer called "Wings of Hope."

Wings of Hope

"If you are wondering where God is in your journey as a woman with cancer, join us," they say.

The group meets every second Monday of the month to share their experiences, information on issues related to cancer and its treatment, as well as care for the spirit. Although the path has not been easy, Judy praises the Lord daily.

"Well, you know," she says, "I'm just focused on Jesus."

She was Determined as Ever to Finish Well
Judy was called home to be with her Lord Jesus in heaven on May 25, 2001 after a 32-month struggle with breast cancer. Judy had run the race that Jesus set before her.  She struggled before crossing the finish line but she did the most important part right: the FINISH. She ended the race at full speed, charging ahead and eager for heaven.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Judy knew the peace that comes from knowing that she had eternal life. Do you?  Are you living your life in the knowledge that you'll go to Heaven when you die?

God wants to be our leverage in living, empowering us to feel better about ourselves, more excited about our future, more grateful for those we love and with the peace that comes from knowing where we'll spend eternity.

If you would like to know Jesus as your personal Savior, why don't you pray the prayer below?  

Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me be the person You want me to be. Amen.