HEAVENSREEF

I learned something today……..that there is a before and after in all things.  For me, there was and is a before my cancer diagnosis and an after.  As I sat today in the waiting room for my 6th month mammogram and ultrasound I realized that I was sitting in the same chair I sat in last June.  I did not know yet all that was coming for me and I didn’t know at that time that I had breast cancer.

The hardest things in life have a before and an after.  But it’s how we navigate through those things that teach us the most.  They teach us about ourselves and about our GOD.  And if we learn anything at all, it is that GOD never leaves us or changes HIS love and care for us. Our GOD is the ROCK to which we go.

ISAIAH 51: 1  “LISTEN TO ME, YOU PEOPLE WHO PURSUE WHAT IS RIGHT AND SEEK THE LORD, LOOK TO THE ROCK FROM WHICH YOU WERE CUT AND TO THE QUARRY FROM WHICH YOU WERE DUG.”

I am and have been in a club now……..it’s not one I signed up for,this cancer club.  I never would have thought it would have touched me, but here I am today, almost a year from being diagnosed.  And my thought process has been:  what would I say to myself before cancer?  What would I explain and say that would be of comfort to my soul…….

ISAIAH 57: 15  “THE HIGH AND LOFTY ONE WHO LIVES IN ETERNITY, THE HOLY ONE, SAYS THIS:   I LIVE IN THE HIGH AND HOLY PLACE WITH THOSE WHOSE SPIRITS ARE CONTRITE AND HUMBLE.   I RESTORE THE CRUSHED SPIRIT OF THE HUMBLE AND REVIVE THE COURAGE OF THOSE WITH REPENTANT HEARTS.”

I would have told myself this before cancer………”Fear not dear one, daughter of the MOST HIGH.   Remain humble through your cancer and find your purpose in it.  Take courage because the HOLY ONE will see you through it, you can stand upon the ROCK of AGES.”

“And as you navigate through this current storm, follow HIS light because HE is forever with you, guiding you now and eventually home.   JESUS will get in the boat with you, so never fear, you aren’t alone in any of it.  Through all the surgeries, treatments and doctor visits, HE is there right by your side and will not forsake you, because HE sees all the details and knows your crushed spirit.”

I have three other pink sisters close to me, all having been through breast cancer or currently in treatment.  It’s funny how GOD drew me to them, common sisters in CHRIST, all with similar struggles and worries.  So I asked them what they would say to themselves before cancer.  One said simply:  “it’s gonna be ok, trust the LORD.”  Another said this:  “I wish every cancer patient knew the love and grace JESUS gives.”  And one of my dearest longtime friends said:  “don’t wait for your life to happen; you’re already in it!  Most of all no matter what life throws at you, remember GOD is always going to walk with you; no matter which path life takes you, no matter what path you choose, no matter the mistakes you have and are going to make.  GOD is the ONE you can count on!”

We all need to remember who we are in CHRIST and whose we are too!  GOD does not abandon us or leave us just because we go through hard things, if anything, HE draws us even closer!  We just need to abide more consciously and intently.  And because HE is such a great gracious GOD, HE takes our hand and cups our face and says to us:   “don’t worry little one, I am with you always to the end of the age!”

GENESIS 28: 15  “BEHOLD, I AM WITH YOU AND WILL KEEP YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.”

If you are feeling alone in your cancer struggle please reach out to me…….I would love to share with you the amazing love of CHRIST, the ONE who will never leave and the ONE who is always faithful in our struggles.