So I am going to apologize in advance. If you came here seeking that tonight, I must confess that I cannot guarantee that's where this post will conclude. Just keeping it real. Tonight I feel a bit numb.
A friend is facing a very difficult diagnosis of a stage 4 metastatic melanoma. The friend is 33 and is about to face a fight for their life. I find myself, like my daughter a few weeks ago wanting to stamp my feet and cry that "It is not fair!"
It is not a question of trusting God to ultimately get the glory...it is about the fact that the walking through it may well be long and painful--mostly for my friend, of course--but also for those on the sidelines who feel helpless to ease the burden of this chapter.
I have been spending some time tonight reminding myself of the promises of God that I know to be true--and and off to spend some more time doing just that.
These times are when the rubber meets the road of our faith. May we be found faithful!
My heart is not proud, O LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore.
14 comments:
God will provide you all you need to be a faithful friend in her time of need.I lost my friend last December after a thirteen year long battle with ovarion cancer. It was long and hard, but every moment with her was a reminder of how God worked through her to bring so many people to know God in a way that we would never had if she had not been in this fight.She left behind a husband of 25 years, four beautiful daughters, and two granddaughers. It was hard but the memories of her friendship warm my soul every day. She fought for a miracle to the very end of her being. Her life was such an inspiration and she used every chance she got to share her testimony of his healing. I would love to send you an article about her in a local Christain magazine from our hometown.I feel your pain but know that God will supply you with all you need. I have asked the same question a million times, why her ? His mysteries will be revealed in time. Keep your eyes and ears open for the lessons. Email me if you want the article..Robin42555@aol.com..Love your blog..
Hey J, I have been following your blog since I found you on facebook. Your words are such an inspiration and I wanted you to know that my prayers are with you and your friend. Take care.
I AM SURE THAT GOD WILL HELP YOU TO UNDERSTAND AND TRUST ON HIM CAUSE HE IS THE GOD OF IMPOSSIBILITIES AND ONLY HIM CAN MAKE IMPOSSIBLES TURN POSSIBLES .
I am praying for you and for your friend .
god bless you .
I think you do a good job being "real" on your blog. While it's important to focus on the good, part of building a community of friends is having people on whom you can lean and maybe at times say things to that you couldn't or wouldn't want to say to your friend. And to join you in agreement in prayer for you and your friend.
You are both in my thoughts and prayers, as is the family.
Ohh, that is so hard. I have been through something very similar this year also. My dear sweet friend Leslie has been through the battle and has come out on top. She, too, had melanoma and it had spread to her lymph nodes. She underwent experimental treatment and right now is cancer free. The original diagnosis was "No HOPE". She was prescribed some anti-depressants and told there was nothing that could be done. When my husband broke it to me, it was like I had been hit in the chest with a boulder. I walked around for a few days in a haze, I just could not believe it and it hurt so bad. The one question that kept coming to me was "If I could fathom how wonderful Heaven is would I really be begging/pleading for her life?" I know without a doubt she will go to heaven and I know many, many others will be there also because of her. She has an awesome story and blog if you would like to read it. She would LOVE to hear from you and I know would LOVE to speak to and encourage your friend. This is her blog...
http://apps.mgilbert.net/blog/ She is the MOST kind, caring and encouraging person that could ever be!
Thank you for this post. My girlfriend, 35, was rushed to the hospital yesterday. After the CT scan they found bleeding and swelling on the brain. It was an aneurysm. They did surgery last night and I haven't heard anything since. I went out with a girlfriend last night, who had the same thing over 20 years ago. She survived. On the way home, after holding myself together for long awaited Girls Night Out, I cried all the way home begging God to spare her life for the sake of her husband and little girls.
I'm so sorry about your friend. May God be her (and your) fortress and strength, and ever-present help in time of trouble.
I pray you see His mighty hand working through all of this.
Blessings,
Kelly S.
J - because you posted and kept it real, you have already added more prayer warriors for your friend. You have the offer of a talk of someone who has been through the same thing for your friend to question. You have perhaps helped changed the course of their treatment today with what they might find out from this person.
Please let your friend know we are praying for them.
JMom, I am so very sorry about your friend. I will definitely pray for her and her family and friends as they go through this difficult and scary time.
Thank you so much for sharing this and for allowing us all to grow through the things you are experiencing. I love your blog so much and always come away with a greater sense of who God is and who we are in Him. I look up to you very much, and appreciate your blog more than you know!
When my BFF was diagnosed with Breast Cancer we found a prayer and put it up EVERYWHERE - every mirror, cabinet, window, computer, dash board, fridge, etc... - to remind us who was gonna strengthen us for the battle.
"Lord, help me step into that place of faith where Your grace is beyond my imagining and Miracles are commonplace"
And, believe me, there were times when these words were all we could utter. But these words were all we needed.
His grace IS beyond our imagining - more than we could EVER dream. And miracles ARE commonplace - if you look for them. Ask Him to show you - He will.
As a friend, listen, cry along, pray, laugh - I know it seems hard to believe, but there will be times to laugh, pray, listen, and then, pray and listen some more. It seems like that would not be enough, but it is. Truly.
You and your friend are in my prayers.
I'm very sorry to hear about your friend. I will add her and you to my prayer list.
In Him-
Mindy
I feel for you girl! My sister (32) was just diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She's 2 weeks post op and 2 weeks until chemo. It will be a hard chemo as the cancer is very aggressive.
We too are struggling with the tough questions. This is a very rare case and the doctors can't give a good explanation, especially as they were operating on her ovaries last February to remove completely benign tumors.
We are just trying to rest in the peace that God knew all of this long before we did. It is in His plan that she go through this, and it will be to His glory, whatever the outcome, IF we are surrendered and living in His will. We are praying mostly for spiritual healing in whatever degree is needed - as that is what trials in our live are there for.
We will remember your friend in our prayers!
2 Cor 12:9
And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Yes, it is so difficult to know where to begin when hearing such news about a loved one - about ANYone. A friend of ours, a brother in the church, has recently been diagnosed with colon cancer - and this 10 years after "beating" Leukemia. Talk about not feeling things are "fair". But we can only press on with the hand we're dealt and pray that in all things, HIS will be done. We have no idea what purpose this serves but there is an ultimate purpose whether for your friend or you or those reading the blogs, etc. I'm not saying cancers are "sent" to test people - I'm just saying no matter how dire the circumstance, we can look to learn and increase faith no matter what.
Praying for you and for your friend. You quoted one of my favorite Psalms, especially after finishing Steppin' Up!
Listening to Seasons of Love from the Cast of Rent right now. Those lyrics have given me hope and encouragement at dark moments. Maybe they will for you too. "Measure in love. . . "
Sending a hug your way, JMom . . .
Post a Comment