His Perfect Timing

God's timing is so perfect. He never ceases to amaze me. Last Sunday, I learned that one of my students in my small group (Cameron) is having Chiari surgery tomorrow. Now, you may not remember, but that is the same surgery that I had in 1988 and again in 2001. Each condition is different with very distinctive symptoms, but they all relate to the same thing. Basically, our brains are too far down in our heads and put pressure on our skulls causing a variety of problems including headaches, dizziness, nystagmus (involuntary eye movement), balance problems, loss of gag reflex (which I learned about today), etc. The surgery generally involves removing approximately a quarter-sized piece of the skull at the lower back of the head and covering the opening with a patch constructed from muscle tissue from the neck. This will relieve pressure the brain has been putting on the skull that results in these symptoms.

Cameron and his parents were at church again today and joined our church. I talked to them afterward. Obviously, his mom is beside herself with concern about this surgery. During the course of our conversation, I also discovered that she has breast cancer. Wow! Does God know how to lead a family to a particular place or what?! Low and behold, guess who has direct experience in both areas! Isn't He just amazing! The way He uses us can be so mind-blowing!

Yes, we hear how He allows things to happen to us for a reason. We often don't see how that experience can and does help someone else, but sometimes we do. The question that many ask is why He allows any of it in the first place. This is a fallen world and we are all in this together. The first sin committed resulted in all of the problems we have today. Some will say that it's not their fault that first sin was committed. True, but we ourselves mess up and sin. Each of our sins hurts God's creation that results in all the bad we see and experience. We messed up and we continue to mess up. The beauty is that God can use our "mess ups" to clean up other things. We just have to keep our eyes open to how He can use us.

I am definitely preaching to myself. This past year has especially been a challenging one for me. There have been MANY times that I have wanted to throw in the towel. However, on days like today God reminds me that He's not finished with me yet. And you know what? If you're still breathing, He's not finished with you either.

Romans 8:18-28

(emphasis mine)

18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that^h the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whoⁱ have been called according to his purpose.

I have a friend who lost her teen daughter yesterday. It's quite a challenge to remember during such a time as this that His timing is perfect and that everything happens for a reason, but it does. Please pray for this family during this incredibly difficult time.

"And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

~ Esther 4:14b

Yes!

I'm still in Birmingham, but I couldn't wait to give an update. Everything is stable! They're back to believing that the enlargement is due to swelling from the radiosurgery rather than tumor growth! A doctor once told me that I'm an enigma inside of a conundrum. Yep! That about sums me up!

Thank you SO much for your prayers! I know a lot of people are praying for me. I also know that our prayers are not always answered the manner in which we want them answered. But for now, I'll take it! He is awesome, almighty, wonderful, counselor, and most of all Savior! I love love love my Jesus!

A Bit of Wonder

I have an MRI and doctor appointment tomorrow. Woo-hoo! Can't wait!

I haven't been feeling that great lately. I'm taking two different types of daily chemo pills, and I've been having a lot of stomach cramps and overall weakness. But God is good! I'm trying to enjoy each day and each GOOD moment as it comes. It's nice to be able to really look at the world around you and appreciate it so much. And the colors are so vibrant! It looks more like October! 

I try not to be too sentimental with others, but I really enjoy each holiday and each special day that comes. I don't know what's growing in that head of mine and it's nice not to have to think about it, but I do. I know where my eternity lies and that REALLY excites me, but there's also a bit of wonder. Death doesn't frighten me. Oh how glorious it will be to see my Jesus face to face!!! It's the dying part that sounds quite despicable. At least I know that death doesn't have the victory! Now THAT is worth a hallelujah! 

"When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.' 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' "

1 Corinthians 15:54-55

Until next time!