A Labour of Love by Bob Jones

The July writing prompt was to share about the first book I wrote and published.

My experience is summed up in four words – A Labour Of Love.

A Lifetime 

Rare is the gift of undeserved presence. As a pastor of thousands of people, there are those who entered my life for a moment, and some for a season, all for a reason, but few for a lifetime. Kristen Miller Fersovitch was for a lifetime.

Thirty-six years ago, our family arrived in Edmonton in August fresh from Montreal, the newest additions to a pastoral staff in a historic church. A portion of my role was to provide Christian education opportunities, especially for children. One of those children was eight years old, a peer to our eldest son, and part of our Sunday School. We had no idea then the incredible influence she would become.

Kristen was born into a musical family with parents who travelled North America, so it was quite natural for her to take centre stage in kids choir presentations, church worship teams, and as a featured soloist in musical performances. She was precocious, strong-willed, a competitive athlete, believer, and fiercely loyal to her younger sister and friends. She was a bit of a handful during her teenage and young adult years, but settled quickly after marrying the love of her life, a fireman and giving birth to three wonderful sons.

Cancer 

You can only imagine the devastation of a diagnosis of cancer, all that this horrible affliction brings, and then a second diagnosis of terminal cancer at the age of 28. She had just delivered their third son, and her eldest son was only five. Prayer, fasting, medical intervention, juicing, trips south of the border for special treatment, and more prayer from around the world, could not keep death at bay from her bedside.

She won the hearts of Edmontonians with her tenacious battle during radiation treatments, losing her hair but never her smile, singing at Christmas on the largest stage in the city in front of thousands with a scarf covering the effects of the radiation. She was candid and bold in publicly sharing her faith, along with producing a CD of songs she wrote about God in her journey. Her voice is still one of my favourites and I can't hear it without tearing up. And I was only her pastor, invited into private, precious moments of family time during her courageous struggle. I never felt I did enough.

When she passed away on Thanksgiving weekend, 2013, her celebration of life was held in the largest church in the city, covered by major news networks, and eulogized by the most popular news anchor in Edmonton, one of many who had become her friend.

During the years of her cancer journey, the most asked questions were, “How does Kristen do it? How does she stay so joyful, optimistic, and hopeful amid such a painful struggle?”

In 2015, the first book I published was in answer to those questions. 

Ornament 

The book was a specially crafted, gift-sized, hard cover, with interior artistry provided by a friend of the family, featuring colour pictures of her life, family, and ministry. The title, Ornament, was the inspiration of another of her friends, because like an Christmas tree ornament, Kristen was “on display for all to see”. Her family gave me permission to include her writing, and her husband wrote the final chapter. Each chapter concludes with a reflection and simple direction about developing a personal faith in Jesus just like Kristen’s.

Kristen was real, far from perfect, but a testament to trusting God even with the struggles of leaving her young family. Carrie Doll of CTV summed up the feelings of so many in her tribute in the book: “She was beautiful and real and funny. She challenged us to live the best life we can—in the face of tragedy, in the face of despair. Not by telling us to, but by leading by example.”

Ornament (access the book on Amazon) caught on and became a Canadian bestseller and was awarded the most inspiring story of 2015 by the Word Guild. Readers loved her story and sent messages of the moving and transformative effect of the book.

All the proceeds from the sale of Ornament: The Faith, Hope and Joy of Kristen Fersovitch, went towards building a trust fund for the post-secondary education of her sons.

Kristen often said during the toughest times, “Even if He doesn’t heal me and I die, I will trust Him.” 

She would want you to know that and to live by that faith, hope, and joy.

Thank you for reading. I would love to connect in the comment section. God bless. 

What Are The Odds Of That: Answers To Prayer by Bob Jones

What have I experienced through prayer in my life and writing? Just about everything. Much of what I learned about the principles of prayer came to me from walking with and writing about the life of a young woman named Kristen.

 

As a 28-year old, Kristen was diagnosed with inoperable cancer and given 24 months to live. She was a mom to three boys under five and married to a firefighter. We prayed for her to be healed. In fact many in the congregation I was a pastor to, fasted breakfast and prayed every day for two years. 

 

One Friday afternoon Kristen had a doctor’s appointment. Going to visit an oncology doctor isn't one of most people's favorite things to do on a Friday afternoon. She was dropped off early for her appointment and needed something to help pass the time.

 

Kristen happened into a nearby drugstore store while she waited.

 

She happened to see a kiosk with books.

 

A book on the lowest rack happened to catch her attention. It was a single copy of the book, “Divine Alignment.”

 

“What a coincidence," she thought. "My friend just told me about that book!”

 

A coincidence led her to a book about coincidences.

 

Kristen called me to tell what had just happened and suggested that I should read the book.

 

I owe her. As a result of Kristen’s experience and reading the book I added the term, "GodWink" into my vocabulary and worldview of prayer.

 

GodWinks are experiences that people would call a coincidence, an answered prayer, or simply an encounter where you'd say, "What are the odds of that!"

 

4 Things I Learned About Prayer, GodWinks, and Life

 

1. A "GodWink" is a message of reassurance from God directly to you, usually related to something you have prayed about.

 

Through all of Kristen’s pain, setbacks, and disappointments, she was not perplexed. She had multiple reassurances of God's faithfulness through "GodWinks."

 

In June 2013 she texted me about one of those GodWinks. She was being transported by an ambulance attendant to Edmonton’s Cross Cancer Hospital for a chemo treatment. The attendant’s name was Ken and he had a story to tell Kristen.

 

Ken, the EMS worker, happened to attend North Pointe, Kristen's church. Ken and his wife Rebecca actually chose North Pointe as their church because of Kristen. 

 

They were new to the area and looking for a church. On their first visit they happened to hear Kristen share her story of faith. They were impressed. They wanted to be a part of a church that was attended by people like Kristen.

 

Ken's story touched Kristen deeply that day. It was like God had allowed her to see her influence. What are the odds?

 

2. GodWinks are not replacements for miracles.

 

People in crisis want a miracle not a wink.

 

Kristen wanted a miracle. She wanted to be healed so she would live and God would be glorified. She also wanted others to know that if things did not work out for her as she hoped, she would trust God until the end - because the end would be her new eternal beginning.

 

Eternity is heaven was the greatest miracle in her estimation.

 

3. In times of UNCERTAINTY what we need more than anything else is CERTAINTY.

 

We crave certainty when we get a dire medical report. We long for certainty in our relationships. We crave the certainty that we'll have enough in the checking account to make it through the month.

 

GodWinks shore up certainty.

 

GodWinks are intentional reminders that God cares; that He is at work, daily directing and providing for your life.

 

My favorite chapter in "Ornament" – a book I wrote about Kristen - is the one about GodWinks.

 

4. GodWinks are the fingerprints of God on the circumstances of your life.

 

Look back on your life. You will find God's fingerprints on the details - dates, numbers, timing, names, places, words.

 

God's fingerprints are assurances that He is in control in a seemingly out-of-control world.

 

Are you praying about something? No answers yet? Watch for a GodWink today. God wants to bring you assurance of his ever faithful presence and unfailing provision.

 

God's got His eye on you.

 

 I write to grow hope, inspire people to be real, forge an authentic faith in Jesus, and discover their life purpose.

Please follow my writing at REVwords.com

I would love to hear from you.