August 27, 2005

I wish I was better at expressing my feelings in words. I consider myself very fortunate and blessed that through reading the bible and spending time every day developing my relationship with God, I was equipped to handle cancer. Through the entire 5 month process of surgery to recovery, God lifted me up above the circumstances. Although I did experience everything first hand, it was as though there was a shield and comforter protecting me from the full impact. No one day was more than I could handle and I know that was all from God. Considering what God has done for me, I count it as nothing that I would have cancer and live with those insignificant disruptions. Having cancer has caused me to pause and consider all the fruits of the spirit (peace, joy, kindness, patience, hope, love) and apply them more fully every day, and to help influence and encourage others for Christ. If my life is shortened by a year or a few, what is that in comparison to eternity with God?

From My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers, edited by James Reimann

If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a number of experiences that are not meant for you personally at all. They are designed to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what takes place in the lives of others.

Besides reading the bible, there have been two ministries that have assisted me in my daily walk with God and Jesus, and the Holy Spirit living within me. In Touch Ministries, with Dr Charles Stanley (who is also the pastor of First Baptist Atlanta, where we were members when we lived in Atlanta) and Turning Point, with David Jeremiah (pastor of Shadow Mountain Church in San Diego). Both ministries publish a monthly magazine and devotional guide. I have used In Touch for the past several years every day, both as the guide for reading the bible in a year and also for the daily devotional. Turning Point is a ministry my husband, Euel, also became aware of several years ago and there are several series we have. A series I started listening to the week before my surgery was called A Bend In The Road. In his introduction, Jeremiah states “You will learn in this study guide that it does not matter what is around the next bend in life’s road; it only matters who. If God is there, nothing else matters. So join David and the other psalmists on the road of life. God sustained them through the hard times, and he will sustain you as well.” Perfect timing for me! Both ministries have web sites, In Touch is www.intouch.org and www.charlesstanleyinstitute.com. Turning Point is www.turningpointonline.org.

I mentioned before that I was grateful to Euel my husband for his constant support and I mention it again. He was there for me every day, was 100% supportive and never lost patience with me. I'm also grateful for my friends Rita and Gene Clark, who came and stayed with us during the surgery and hospital stay, my niece Christie who helped me when I got home and my sister Diane who came as Christie was leaving. Friends from work, especially Diane Beall, were an inspiration to me with prayers. Misty Lowery took her time off and helped us move (yes, we actually moved from one house to another a month after the surgery), as I was unable to participate. My hometown friends I grew up with, all long distance, maintained communication and made me appreciate their being in my life. I especially thank Gillian “Gill” Jones for her hours of suggestions for this website and Lauri Maerov for coming up with the name Let’s Inspire Life.

If you have a story or inspiration you would like to share, please email me at newlife05@sc.rr.com