There is something about receiving emails, texts, phone calls, and/or cards during a difficult time in your life. The words spoken seem to come from the heart of the person who sent the message. And, God is so on time with those words. They come, not late, not early, but right on time.That's our God. He knows our every detail in our situation, what we have faced so far and what we are going to face in the upcoming days. As I think about this, I will share some of the "words" from folks I have received.
Lessons learned:
1--I have always been someone who likes to send notes to folks, but have gotten out of the habit. This "time in my life" has brought this back to my attention. How important we are to those in need.
2--When you answer the call to pray... for someone else, you receive a blessing too.
Monday--9/16
Received a devotional from Lisa T.
While I may have read in my Bible that we are in a spiritual war, that truth had not fully adjusted my expectations of this life.
To accept that life is supp;osed to be hard is the beginning of joy.
There is freedom in understanding that Heaven is coming and we are not there yet. we're called to live, instead, aware that we are at war with a ruthless enemy who is trying to destroy us if we are living surrendered to Jesus...
Something about war makes us better. We live more thankful, less numb. We aren't quite so spoiled... (God) allows us to suffer because we change through suffering.
We hurt with others better. We Become humble. We want him more...
Honestly, we grow up through suffering.
And most of us need to grow up. I've learned to quit wishing away the hard stuff. Because I don't want to mis all the good stuff that goes with it.
jennie, allen, Anything
We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor or God. Ephesians 6:12-13
In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Jn. 16:33
9/16 Rachel Butler called with some encouraging words and to just see how I was doing.
9/17 Rachel texted me to see how my day was going.
Teresa Davis texted me to let me know God brought me to her mind.
9/16 Tammy Robinson called to see how I was doing. Such encouragement from so many busy folks.
9/16 Intercessory Prayer group from church sent a card: With God all things are possible. Mt. 19:26 A place to rest...a reason to hope...the strength to press on... His great love will provide all you need.
9/18 Pat Allen called to check up on me.
Text messages durng the week and past weeks from Becky Dejernes. (TN)
9/21 Donna Ondrajka brought me the sweetest card. What a way with words. The card was so humbling. WOW! Texts come every few days just to see how I am doing...
Rick/Retta sent a card: it read: In hard times she had learned three things: she was stronger than she ever imagined. Jesus was closer that she ever realized. And, she was loved more than she ever knew.
Loved this card from Mary Pittman of Faith Christian School--May you sense the Lord's loving presence today...keeping you close to His heart..assuring you of His tender care, and covering you with His grace.
Tammy Godwin, Marjorie Price and Helen Morelli-- many calls and emails... thank you ladies!!
Debbie Goldman-- many devotionals on healing and enouragement
Teresa Luma-Tingler and Shelley Hartley-- phone calls, offers to babysit grandkids for us, words of encouragement
Kevin/Sandy McMahan-- words of encouragement
Janice Pendley--encouraging words-- Love the analogy Aaron and Hur are like the folks praying
for me right now.. That is a beautiful picture.
Janice: Psalm 27:7-8-- Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, "Seek his Face! Your face, Lord, I will seek.
Rebecca Hopkins-- she and her prayer group at church are praying
FAMILY AARON'S AND HURS
Norm: He is the calm one. All through this process, he is the ROCK. He just keeps saying, let's our information together and make decisions then. Let's don't borrow trouble from tomorrow. He is NOT worried, just concerned. He has been there for every doctors' appointment and every test! There have been many. We have learned alot about this process and what questions to ask. Thank you Lord for the calm husband, always by my side!!
Angie:our oldest daughter. She is the "strong" one so to speak. She keeps her emotions close to her side. She went with us to get the results of the first biopsy and the consultation with Dr. LaFond. She has a great mind who listens closely to what is said and remembers it later. She came to Dr. LaFond's meeting with good questions.
Meagan: our youngest daughter. She is the "emotional" one. She has the gift of mercy and has a tendency to "worry" ahead of time. Norm is continually telling her not to worry about the kids. Norm and I keep their girls 4 days a week, so she is wanting to make sure they are taken care of and I am able to do it. She doesn't want to put anything on us if she can help it. We are encouraging her to wait and see. Let's make some plans but let's see how mom does before we make too many decisions.
Cynthia: my sister. She has been there from the beginning, with all kinds of good questions and support. Since she has had ovarian cancer, she, too, is concerned about this issue with me. She doesn't want to bother me with her texts. I say, there is no bother. I hear only concern and I need that support. Keep texting. All of this may effect her too.
Ann Marie: my neice: she is the quiet one. Her texts come in the way of thinking of you and praying for you. I so appreciate all the notes... from her. I do love her and her family and their newest addition, Robbie. He is so much fun. You go Ann Marie. You are doing great!!!
To all, if I have missed someone: please know each contact made has been very special to me. I do believe it is all a part of what God told me that day: this is going to be cancer and I am going to handle it. He handles it by sending those He knows will respond to His asking to call, send a note, make a meal, visit, pray, text, email or whatever it is He has asked you to do. No one thing is more important than another. God knows the timing when things are needed and He sends the Holy Spirit to do His bidding. I thank all of you for being obedient. You have blessed me more than you could every know. There is more time to come, the surgery and the recovery. I will continue to need you in my life, more than ever. Love to all of you!!!
Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Good pieces of advice during this time:
Remember: I Can't ! You Can!! You can Through Me!!
Focus less on what's wrong and more on what's right!!
God will use what He does not move!!
These are what Stormie Omartian would call Prayer Warriors. When the Lord brought me to their mind, they prayed and put feet to their prayers. What a comfort in the time of waiting !! This life is a journey. Each season takes time. My personality is one that wants to find the solution and get busy at it. Not so with this situation. It's a process and none of the steps can be skipped.
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