LIFE GOES ON, OR DOES IT???

Good Evening Beautiful Survivors!

Yes, so many of us know those words, “You Have Cancer” all too well. It’s hard to believe that those three small words have such an impact on us that they will change the rest of our lives forever. Those words cut like a knife right through the very core of all that we believe about this beautiful life. It’s at this very moment that everything we have ever hoped for up until now seems to take a back seat to this terrible disease. Now, suddenly, all of the things that we thought were so important pale in comparison to the magnitude of the mountain in front of us. Cancer has a way of putting our priorities in their proper perspective. After all, in the whole scheme of things, was it really that important to run a little late in rush hour traffic? Or, did it matter that much, now, that I had to work a little late?

When my doctor sat down and looked me straight in the eye, and told me that I had cancer, I would have to say that it was one of my life’s defining moments that I will never forget. I was in total shock for quite some time. At first, I was just numb. I couldn’t believe that it was really happening. Life was going too good. I didn’t have time for this intrusion and to top it all off, I felt too good. How could I be sick? I knew it happened to other people, but I never thought it would happen to me.

The many thoughts that bombarded my mind at the very beginning were life draining. “How did I get this?” “What will happen to my family?” “How will I feel?” “What treatments do I have to go through?” “How will I cope?” “Has the cancer spread?” and the final question, “Will I die?” Those thoughts went on day and night for quite some time, until I realized that they were harder on me than the cancer itself.

It was hard to believe that the sun could keep coming up each day when my own world had become so dark. How could life keep on going all around me when my own world and everything that I had hoped for came crashing down? Yes, life did go on. There were still bills to pay, work to do, kids to raise and the lists went on and on.

It was then that I realized that as long as I was still alive and my heart was still beating, that God had a purpose for my life, pain and all. He could take the broken and make it beautiful again. No, it wasn’t easy and I had many hurdles to jump, especially in the beginning. I’m not going to lie. It wasn’t pretty at first. It was downright hard in every way; but I noticed that as I kept walking through this heartache, the steps that were at first so heavy, became lighter along the way. At first, it wasn’t so noticeable. It was just subtle small steps, but I suppose it was mostly because I quit carrying the burden on my own and handed it over to the one who carried me for awhile, until I found the strength to stand on my own once again. It was kind of like a loving parent when their child first learns to walk. They are lovingly cheering that child on with a smile as that baby crawls, and stands, and finally takes that first step. That parent is standing there with outstretched arms to embrace that child as they run to them. That is what God does for us. He is smiling at us and cheering us on because he knows when we decide to place it in his hands, he is able to bring us safely through. He promises us that when we come to him that his yoke is easy and his burden is light.

Isn’t it amazing that when life is about as hard as it can get, that God shows up right on time when we need him the most? Even after having cancer, life goes on. It has been ten years since my diagnosis, but I still have days that can be extremely challenging. I guess that’s just life. It’s during those crazy, hectic days when I get so tired and feel like I can’t go on, Jesus steps in and tells me not to worry. He tells me that the reason it seems so hard is that I’m trying to do it on my own and that has never been his plan from the very beginning. He tells me, ” Now, wait just a minute here, Daughter! I’ve got this! I’ve got you in the palm of my hands. I will never leave you. Don’t try to carry this on your own. Once you hand it over to me, you will find strength rising once again, because when you are weak, I am strong in you.”

So, Beautiful Survivors and Caregivers, this is a word for you tonight. God has you in the palm of his mighty hands. Nothing is too hard for him. He is able!! He will lift you up. Learn to sit at his feet and bask in his love. He will give you a fresh supply of strength with each sunrise. He will refresh and restore you one day at a time.

Enjoy the beauty of each new day with the dawning of every morning. Live your life to the fullest. Take it all in. Enjoy every moment and surround yourself with the love of family and friends. Look for signs of God’s beauty. It’s all around you. Never give up! Live with passion and enthusiasm. Put a spring in each step and be free with your hugs and your smiles. Lavish others with them and don’t die until you live!!!

YES, LIFE DOES GO ON!!!!

I love you guys!
Brenda

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