A Treasury of Miracles for Friends Read Online Free

the way the two had reconciled. But when the doctor came in, Tracy could tell immediately the news wasn’t good.
    “It looks like an aggressive type of cancer.” He bit the inside of his cheek. “We need to take more tests today to determine the borders of the tumor and how fast it’s growing.”
    The blow was more than Tracy had imagined. All night she had clung to Anna’s parting words—that God might work a miracle and heal her. Now, though, she’d been handed what was likely a death sentence. And that meant she wouldn’t be able to keep her promise to Skyler.
    Tests were done that morning, and two hours later the doctor was back again. He entered the room with a strange look on his face and set a file of notes on Tracy’s bedside.
    “Well?” Paul squeezed Tracy’s hand, his face ashen as he waited for the news.
    “Just a minute.” The doctor pulled the sheet back from Tracy’s mid-section and through her gown carefully felt her abdomen. The exam seemed to go on forever, until he finally straightened and stared first at Tracy, then at Paul. “It’s gone.”
    His words didn’t sink in immediately.
    “What do you mean?” Paul’s tone held a stunned quiet.
    The doctor looked at Tracy. “I mean the tests showed absolutely no signs of the tumor.” He motioned to Tracy’s abdomen. “I’m feeling the same place where the tumor existed just yesterday, but today I feel nothing at all.” His eyebrows came together and lowered, confusion written in the lines on his face. “It’s completely gone.”
    A giddy sensation coursed through Tracy. She sat up in bed and looked at Paul. “Anna prayed this would happen. God told me to call her here so she could pray, and she prayed for this exactly.”
    The doctor took a step back and shrugged. “I’d like to run more tests tomorrow before you go home.” He shook his head. “Tumors that size don’t just disappear.”
    “They do when God wants them to.” Tracy’s heart swelled within her at the miracle God had given them.
    The next day the news didn’t change. The tumor was gone, her tests were normal, and that afternoon Tracy went home to a welcome that included Anna and her children. When the two friends had a moment alone, Tracy thanked her for having the faith to pray for a miracle.
    “We were both healed,” Anna said. “You of your tumor and me of my guilt and shame.” Her eyes shone. “God didn’t give us one miracle, he gave us two. First, that you’re here . . .”
    Tracy hugged her friend once more and then searched her face. “And the second, that you’re here.”

Buckle Up
    A ndy Conner grabbed an apple and headed for the front door just as his mother came down the stairs. Andy and his best friend, Jared, were interns for the Birmingham, Alabama, firehouse, and that night they faced four hours of drills. Jared was waiting for him outside, since the two had just twenty minutes to get to the station.
    “Fire drills again?” His mother leaned against the railing and smiled at him.
    “Yep.” Andy took a few steps out of his way and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “See you around midnight.”
    “Be safe.” Her eyes met his and held for a moment. It was something she said often, especially since Andy’s father had died of a stroke a year earlier. Now it was just Andy and his mother, and she wasn’t excited about his decision to be a firefighter.
    “I’m always safe.” He grinned at her and took a few steps toward the door. “That’s my job, Mom, remember?”
    She let her gaze fall to the carpet and muttered, “Because of Jared.”
    Andy stared at her. “What?” The sound of a car honking came from outside and Andy knew they’d be late if he didn’t hurry. Still, he wanted an explanation for his mother’s words. His tone grew tight and harsh. “I’m not in this because of Jared. I’m in it for me.”
    His mother angled her head and looked at him again. “Please, Andy, be real. Since third grade you’ve done