Before I begin writing the main portion of this entry, let me say Thank you! God hears our prayers. The cancer is still stable! Hallelujah! There was a concern since I've been experiencing new symptoms, but everything's good! It's nice to hear one of your doctors say that he tells my story a lot!
Yes, He hears us. I am so blessed. My life has been challenging when it comes to health, but I thank Him for that challenge. I wouldn't be who I am, and my children wouldn't be who they are without it. They've seen my struggles and it has made them strong. Rachel was only four and David was eight when I was originally diagnosed. That's all they've ever known.
Yesterday was quite a long day, but God placed people in my path with whom to share and to minister. My day began with a CT scan. The lady who was registering me for the scan was quite the Christian. We practically had church! It started when she asked me about the drive to UAB since we're supposed to get a torrential downpour for most of this week. She then mentioned how this was all prophesied, and I talked about the birth pains the Earth is experiencing. We shared about His goodness and how He's giving us so many chances to come to Him. This awful weather our planet is experiencing was all prophesied in the Bible thousands of years ago. Don't miss that. We just have to look up and see His goodness. Why is He allowing all of this bad weather and all of the bad things that are happening in the world? He told us in His Word that it would. One reference (among many) is Luke 21:10-11. Jesus is speaking, "Then He told them, 'Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.'" He wants us to see how truthful and merciful and good He is. Good? How is this good? According to 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." He wants us to see how His prophecies are being fulfilled and return to Him. He has so much love for us. "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him," Psalm 103:11. Here's another from Psalm 139:17-18. "How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with You."
I was also able to minister to a lady in the MRI waiting room. She was diagnosed with breast cancer last week and was quite scared. I shared a little about my story--how I was diagnosed in 1998, it returned in 2010, and how my doctor told me it probably would not have returned if I had a particular treatment that is available now that wasn't then. I also shared how I had grown closer to God throughout the experience. She had questions, and I answered the best that I could. I focused on the positives. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." That includes cancer! He's got this!
Many would look at my life and feel sorry for me. Don't! I feel so blessed! Because of the pain and suffering I have experienced, I have grown closer to our precious Jesus. "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus," Philippians 4:7. I have this peace! It's absolutely amazing! Do I feel it all the time? No! I cry out "Oh woe is me" with the best of them! But I always come back to His amazing love and mercy. He is so good! I am flooded with His love and mercy!
With all the rain we're having, the song "Flood" by Jars of Clay has been stuck in my head. It is also relevant to my story as well as to so many others.
Here's a picture, just for fun. I'm also blessed with a wonderful husband. 😊
Yes, He hears us. I am so blessed. My life has been challenging when it comes to health, but I thank Him for that challenge. I wouldn't be who I am, and my children wouldn't be who they are without it. They've seen my struggles and it has made them strong. Rachel was only four and David was eight when I was originally diagnosed. That's all they've ever known.
Yesterday was quite a long day, but God placed people in my path with whom to share and to minister. My day began with a CT scan. The lady who was registering me for the scan was quite the Christian. We practically had church! It started when she asked me about the drive to UAB since we're supposed to get a torrential downpour for most of this week. She then mentioned how this was all prophesied, and I talked about the birth pains the Earth is experiencing. We shared about His goodness and how He's giving us so many chances to come to Him. This awful weather our planet is experiencing was all prophesied in the Bible thousands of years ago. Don't miss that. We just have to look up and see His goodness. Why is He allowing all of this bad weather and all of the bad things that are happening in the world? He told us in His Word that it would. One reference (among many) is Luke 21:10-11. Jesus is speaking, "Then He told them, 'Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.'" He wants us to see how truthful and merciful and good He is. Good? How is this good? According to 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." He wants us to see how His prophecies are being fulfilled and return to Him. He has so much love for us. "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him," Psalm 103:11. Here's another from Psalm 139:17-18. "How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with You."
I was also able to minister to a lady in the MRI waiting room. She was diagnosed with breast cancer last week and was quite scared. I shared a little about my story--how I was diagnosed in 1998, it returned in 2010, and how my doctor told me it probably would not have returned if I had a particular treatment that is available now that wasn't then. I also shared how I had grown closer to God throughout the experience. She had questions, and I answered the best that I could. I focused on the positives. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." That includes cancer! He's got this!
Many would look at my life and feel sorry for me. Don't! I feel so blessed! Because of the pain and suffering I have experienced, I have grown closer to our precious Jesus. "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus," Philippians 4:7. I have this peace! It's absolutely amazing! Do I feel it all the time? No! I cry out "Oh woe is me" with the best of them! But I always come back to His amazing love and mercy. He is so good! I am flooded with His love and mercy!
With all the rain we're having, the song "Flood" by Jars of Clay has been stuck in my head. It is also relevant to my story as well as to so many others.
Here's a picture, just for fun. I'm also blessed with a wonderful husband. 😊
