I am deeply thankful as I am completely aware of the love and support and prayer surrounding me and my family. I am pleased to share with everyone the answered prayer that we experienced at our appointment with the oncologist. Because this was a second surgery and because we were told consistently by all three surgeons that radiation was next, we tried to prepare ourselves the best way we could not knowing what we would face. Well, we can't stop rejoicing since hearing the doctors words, "the cancer is gone...let's continue to observe...next CT scan in January"! We couldn't be happier! And I had the most wonderful privilege of watching my Darcy dance an Irish jig as we left the cancer center! (sigh)
The hardest part of this journey has been watching the eyes of those I love. As my own heart has had it's ups and downs emotionally, I have found real strength and comfort in the very real presence of Christ. Yet, I have found myself utterly helpless to relieve those around me except to point to the One who is helping me. I have found that Jesus really is a present help in times of trouble. I have felt His Spirit near me in ways that I have never experienced before and through face to face moments with Him He has shown me how deeply loved I am. This journey has been life changing. I think for the first time in my life I feel truly safe as I see Who is with me with new eyes. I have had a glimpse of heaven that has caused me to really look beyond this world...and I have liked what I've seen. Sometimes it takes experiencing our boat almost capsizing to really see Who is with us.
We all watched a miracle in the calming of the storm in January and now once again it is still. Could it be that His purpose in it all is to reveal Himself? And to point to things beyond this realm?Isn't that what He did with Lazareth? Isn't that what He did as He walked with and taught the disciples? Story after story shows us His compassion and love for mankind and of His great power and authority and of His deep desire that we would walk with Him. Isn't that why Jesus came to earth? That we might know God? That we would be reconciled to God? (Harmony between God and man) God provided moment by moment experiences through Jesus on the earth to teach us and to draw us to know Him. To trust Him and live with Him on earth as it is in heaven. If it has taken this experience for me to point to Jesus and to the Holy Spirit and to talk about a real relationship with God through communicating with Him and walking with Him, that my children and my loved ones might look up with me a little closer to see Him better and be drawn to know Him more...then so be it!
Everyday I will enjoy the beauty around me...but I have a fresh understanding that there is much much more. It's the same story that Jesus shared...
For some reason I thought I would write out some of the resources that have been very encouraging to me along my path this year that may be of encouragement to someone reading this. Beside my study Bible, my favorite books and current devotionals are:
"Streams in the Desert" by Cowman,
"Jesus Calling" by Sara Young,
"He Loves Me", by Wayne Jacobsen,
"Drawing Near" by John Bevere,
"The Secret of the Stairs", by Wade E. Taylor,
"Sit Walk Stand" by Watchman Nee and
"The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children" by Stormie Omartian (I have found such strength as I have prayed for my children)
Thank you Lord, for revealing yourself to me. In you I put my trust and all that concerns me.
My days and all my ways you hold in the palm of your hand.
You have proven yourself to be all you say you are in your word.
You are my strong tower.
In You there is beauty and every good thing.
Thank you.
Be still and know that I am God
Psalm 46:10
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you: and in His love He will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing
Zephaniah 3:17
And your ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,
This is the way, walk in it
When you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left.
Isaiah 30:21
Eyes have not seen, nor ears have heard, neither have entered into the heart of man,
the things which God has prepared for them that love him.
1 Cor 2:9
