The Days Planned For Me

Through chronic illness, severe disability, and difficult end-of-life decisions, Jean Sullivan has clung to God's Word and His people to help bear the load of caregiving while juggling her loved ones' complex medical needs. "The Days Planned for Me" lights the path in the darkness of life-threatening illness, disability, grief, and loss; and demonstrates that God is our hope and comfort, whether He heals on earth or in heaven.

Why does God heal some and not others? When caring for a seriously ill parent, spouse or child, when is it appropriate to pray for healing and when is it time to simply accept things as they are? These questions circled in Jean Sullivan's mind when faced with two separate health crises in her family. Jean was a mother of six children when her husband was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, at the age of 40. She prayed for his healing, as did many of their friends and family, and even made a vow to God just as Hannah did in the Old Testament. A short time later, Jean's three-year-old daughter suffered a hypoxic brain injury from undiagnosed Addison's Disease. Through the long hospital stays and the fears of not knowing how much her daughter would recover, Jean navigated through the medical systems with the help of friends in the medical field and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. "The Days Planned for Me" is a story of faith in the face of chronic illness and severe disability. It is a story of caregiving, advocating, and ultimately, surrendering to the God whose ways are higher than our own.

Jean Sullivan is a Pennsylvania native who grew up in Southern California. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband Bill and their large family. She has led women's Bible studies for over 30 years and never tires of sharing God's faithfulness through all of life's challenges. Her heart is to encourage those dealing with serious illness, caregivers, and those who have suffered loss. Her favorite verse is Hebrews 11:1, which says "now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Jean and Bill enjoy spending time together with their six adult kids, five kids-in-law, 16 grandchildren, and their black doodle named Millie.