Currently my life is utter and complete madness! I am in the process of editing report card comments, submitting my English grades, participating in school events, fulfilling commitments at school, spending time with friends, preparing to return home for the break, and trying to sleep occasionally. ;) Honestly, I am so thankful that I will be traveling home on Monday. The thought of being back in Colorado with my family and friends is almost more than I can handle!
Amidst the craziness that I call my life, I find it necessary to stop and reflect on a season of life that happened not long ago. During this season I experienced God's blessings through pain and difficulty.
Friday, my dad had his three year cancer check-up at the Mayo Clinic. I prayed that the results of these tests would indicate that he was cancer free! Praise God! For the third year in a row my dad continues show no signs of cancer. I find it difficult to believe that it has been three years since he was diagnosed with cancer, was treated, and entered into remission. The events of that time seem far removed from my life, yet the effects are long lasting as my life was dramatically changed.
That specific season was a time of immense growth for my family, both as individuals and as a family unit. Individually, we handled and dealt with this trauma in different ways. As a family, we grew closer in our relationships with each other as well as with God. From the beginning to the end, God was actively present and His faithfulness was seen.
For those of you who know my dad, you know that he is a living, breathing representation of God's transformation! As ponder all that God has done, I thought I would share an e-mail I wrote the day my dad had his prostatectomy. My prayer is that your heart, soul, and mind will be turned towards our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
To the Faithful!
Becca here!
For the past two months I have been pretty jealous of my mom, as she has sent out these little updates. So I practically begged her to let me do the update tonight. Like the great woman that she is, she decided to share this delightful task with me, or she may have consented due to my incessant whining.
I would like to share a few things that happened during this time in my family’s life. I hope these experiences will encourage you in your life, and most importantly turn your lives towards our Savior, Jesus Christ. As a family our desire, from the beginning, has been to let God use this time in my dad’s life to bring glory to God’s holy name. My prayer tonight is that, as I share with you, that you will encounter God and worship Him as a result.
This, very early, morning driving to the Mayo Clinic was a sweet time of tearful prayer as we beseeched God to watch over my precious dad. How wonderful it was to rest on the promises of God that “though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.” We will not fear because, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:2b-3, 1) In the book of Job, when the trials came to Job, God did not answer Job's cries with an answer as to why he (Job) was being afflicted; instead, God reminded Job of His character. This morning each of us were nervous as we stepped into the unknown, but our spirits were strengthened from knowing the character of our God.
Later in the morning, about 30 minutes before surgery, we were taken back to see Dad. Again I was so impressed by the work of the Lord in the life of my dad. Each person who entered that examination room was greeted by a exuberant, joyful (almost too happy for the early hour) man who was determine to be nothing but a ray of sunshine or should I say Christ-shine to every person who crossed his path. At one point he even said, “I will be nothing but happy today!” This is the power of God, the evidence of sanctification that can only come from truly encountering Christ.
Right after being diagnosed my dad said to me, “You know your Mom and I have been asking God for more opportunities to share God with others, especially people whom we normally would not interact with.” Through this process I have asked the question, “Why Dad?” My dad may have inwardly asked this question, but his actions have spoken louder by saying, “Why not me!” I think that this little devotional encompasses the attitude that God has internalized in my dad’s life:
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
No one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation. In Me you . . . peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. He shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, like the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain.
He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces. There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. We who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Psalm 30:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4; John 16:33; Psalm 17:15; Romans 13:12; 2 Samuel 23:4; Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 21:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18
Our dear friend, Sherri Forrest, when she was battling cancer wrote about lyrics to a song by Ginny Owens. Until this morning I never fully understood the message of the song. Now I do! Anyone who has interacted with my Dad in the past two months can attest to the fact that cancer has changed him, or should I more accurately say that God through the disease of cancer has changed my Dad. About a month ago, my brother and I were discussing the changes that we have seen in our Dad over the years, oh how he has changed. How great is our God! Not only does he save us from the wretchedness of our sinful life. He doesn’t leave us in our transgressions; instead He transforms us into the likeness of His Son. When we encounter the truth of the gospel we cannot help but respond! I will leave you with the Ginny Owens song I referenced, may you be encouraged by the words.
If You Want Me To
The pathway is broken
And The signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to
Chorus:
Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
so if all of these trials bring me closer to you
Then I will walk through the fire
If You want me to
It may not be the way I would have chosen
When you lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'd never go alone
So when the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering that Your love put You through
And I will walk through the darkness
If You want me to
Cuz when I cross over Jordan
Gonna sing, gonna shout,
Gonna look into Your eyes and see You never let me down
So take me on the pathway that leads me home to You
And I will walk though the valley
If You want me to
Yes, I will walk through the valley
If You want me to
And The signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to
Chorus:
Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
so if all of these trials bring me closer to you
Then I will walk through the fire
If You want me to
It may not be the way I would have chosen
When you lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'd never go alone
So when the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering that Your love put You through
And I will walk through the darkness
If You want me to
Cuz when I cross over Jordan
Gonna sing, gonna shout,
Gonna look into Your eyes and see You never let me down
So take me on the pathway that leads me home to You
And I will walk though the valley
If You want me to
Yes, I will walk through the valley
If You want me to
Blessings!
