Still Surviving Still Trusting

In December of 2010  I was diagnosed with cancer.  It came from out of nowhere.  I had no warning or any indication that there was anything wrong.  I discovered a swollen gland on the right side of my neck.  It did not go away, my surgeon advised that I should have surgery to remove the mass.    As the days unfolded, I realized I was stepping into the world of the unknown, that my life was going to be drastically different and that I was going to be on a JOURNEY, unlike any journey I had ever been on  … a TRUSTING JOURNEY of depending on God for His provision. 

Although my doctors did everything they could do to help inform me and prepare me for the journey, nothing could really prepare me for the debilitating, weakened places my mind, my spirit, my soul and my body would experience in the days, the months and years to come.

Even though navigating the journey was very difficult at times, I knew that I had a choice.   Daily I had to strive to focus not on the battle I was in…but on finding my “ brave”.     Bravery and courage are key elements in dealing with cancer.   However, I could not have been brave or have the courage to fight the battle, without the help and support of my precious family members and the many friends that came alongside me.     They helped me focus on finding the most meaningful way to live through the battle with cancer, even though the journey was hard.

Courage does not mean, however that there is no fear.   Having nothing to fear wouldn’t require courage.   On a daily basis, I had to come against fear….and at times I still do.   But courage means living with an open heart, embracing our human frailty, vulnerability and mortality, and believing that God’s Word is true, that when I am weak, HE IS STRONG…(2 Corinthians 12:10)

Cancer brought about many stops and starts in my personal life.   My friends and family members would be going about life moving forward – looking and living in a normal way…not me.  I would take one-step-forward-and-two-steps-back.  Many times I felt like life was leaving me behind and passing me by.  But these past several years have been an opportunity for personal growth and development in so many positive ways for me.     As I reflect, I can see that with every setback, there was a comeback.  During the difficulty, I was forced to take one day at a time, understanding what I could and could not control.  This was a life-changing lesson,  one that provided freedom to enjoy the simple things and to better appreciate life and all it has to offer.   The old saying that “life is too short” is certainly true.  I try my best to support others in their time of need and to share my story in terms of acceptance, overcoming obstacles, appreciation, compassion for others and TRUSTING in our FAITHFUL GOD.  

On this TRUSTING journey, there are time it feels like yesterday that I received the diagnosis and sometimes it feels  like it was a long time ago.  Every year as the month of December approaches I find myself reflecting on my TRUSTING JOURNEY.  Even as I put my thoughts to the paper,  I am reflecting on moments  that were challenging  along the way of  being a cancer survivor… an OVERCOMER… and I realize that it is only by the grace of God.

I know that many of you reading this right now are carrying an extra load of worry, of anxiety and fear.    Our world is full of uncertainties and  we face tough situations, changes and challenges with each dawn of a new day.     I encourage you to lean into the Word of God.   The life scripture that I hold onto is Proverbs 3:5&6, “TRUST in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all of your ways acknowledge Him and HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATH!”  (the emphasis are mine😊)  When we choose to lean on our own understanding instead of God’s promises, we open the flood gates of  emotions,  anxiety, worry and fear.   I Peter  3:5 says “ Cast all of your care on Him for He cares for you.”

Because He cares soooooo very deeply for us, we can cast our anxiety, our worry, our fear, and depression on HIM.   

Do not listen to the lie that you can’t make it.  That you will never be BRAVE ENOUGH.  That you can’t be courageous enough to face tomorrow.  That you are alone and no one cares for you!  It is not true…You are loved   Jesus LOVES you!   YOU ARE NOT ALONE, and you are not powerless.   The Bible reminds us that God Himself said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”   Hebrews 13:5.   God is saying, Not only will I never physically leave you, but my heart will never turn away from you.;”   Be assured and encouraged that when God says never, He means NEVER.  God has not left you or forsaken you, and HE NEVER WILL!  While we may not always understand everything that happens, DON’T LOSE HEART!   DON’T GIVE UP!  Trust in the God who will never leave you!

I am grateful to celebrate  being Cancer Free. I’m STILL SURVIVING  STILL TRUSTING!     I encourage you, even when life isn’t what you expected and you have experienced challenges along the way,   to remember,  2 Corinthians 4:1 - … “Since God in His mercy has given us this new way, WE NEVER GIVE UP.”   Keep TRUSTING!

I would love for you to share your STORY with me!  #STILLSURVIVINGSTILLTRUSTING

 

Blessings,

Pastor Debbie

 

 

 

 CHERISHED FRIENDSHIPS…GIRLFRIEND STRONG

When you don’t know what to say, when you don’t know what to do, the Ministry of Presence is the only thing your friend might need.  As I sat across the table from my girlfriend, I saw the pain she was feeling in every tear that dropped onto the table. She was in one of the darkest, most difficult seasons of her life. Her tears flowed freely. I didn’t have the answers. I didn’t know the answers to her questions of “Why?”, but I could be PRESENT.  I didn’t know what to say; I didn’t know what to do, but I did know that I loved her and cared about the pain she was feeling. 

As I reflect on friendships that I have been blessed with over the years, I am overcome with gratefulness. I realize that in the midst of difficult seasons of my life and their lives, we have drawn the needed strength from each other to press on and to press through. There have been times that I had to be comfortable with sitting in the agony of silent suffering.     Words are not always the comfort that someone needs.  Just your presence is enough to give them strength to face another day.  

The word I would like to use for such friendships in my life is cherished. Cherished means to protect and care for someone lovingly, to hold something dear, to keep a hope or ambition in one’s mind.  To cherish a friend is to have mutual love for one another and wish each other well.

To cherish a friend is to love her well, even when, and especially when, she is hurting. I truly believe that I would not have made it through some very dark times in my life if it had not been for cherished friendships and the support of my family. 

A cherished friendship makes choices to enter the pain of a friend for the entire journey, not just the season

A cherished friendship allows her own life and agendas to be altered as a result of a friend’s struggle. 

A cherished friendship does not become overly offended when you are not able to return a phone call, text, or email.  A cherished friend will be faithful without judging or needing anything in return. She realizes that the struggle you are going through can be life altering.  A cherished friend will realize that the same expectations for the friendship might need to change to include components of deep care and compassion.   

A cherished friendship listens and doesn’t try to “fix it”.  A cherished friend will still say for the hundredth time, “I’m here for you; I’m not going anywhere”.  

A cherished friendship doesn’t try to negate or equate her past pain with your present pain with statements like, “I know exactly how you feel because…”  Instead a cherished friend could say, “I remember feeling (angry, lost, or helpless) when I endured a crisis in my life. How is it for you?

A cherished friend cries with you and is strong for you. She will be your partner in pain, not always offering advice, but offering a tissue when you just need to do the “ugly cry”.

A cherished friend will defend you. She will share your struggle and not judge you.  A cherished friend will be honest with you. Having a cherished friend can help in the transformation of who you become through your struggle.

I am very GRATEFUL for the cherished friendships that God has given me in this journey of life.  

We are BETTER TOGETHER…GIRLFRIEND STRONG!

Living and Loving Life Grateful,

Reminder from Scripture:  I Peter 4:8-10⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹ Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.