I'm shamelessly leaning on Sarah Young again today for my daily encouragement. She so often meets me at my need in her paraphrases of Jesus' words and her added insights of how I can be encouraged by them. Today I'm reminded of my need to put Him first and that He will not let me down as I (we) chart my (our) path through this season my life.
As we have walked this journey I have found myself sinking to my lowest points when I focus on the little picture; the day to day discomforts and challenges of not being able to depend upon the things that never failed in the past. And Wow, is that an easy thing to do! As Sarah reminds me, if this happens only occasionally, it's a common human behavior, but if I have allowed it to become a pattern, I need a re-focusing of my priorities. It's the big picture that is, and always has been, the important one.
Now that I'm approaching a pause in our journey through cancer, I have been giving much thought to this blog. My one and only reason for starting it was to give God the glory for His faithfulness at a time when my need was at the greatest it has ever been. When I have been given the green light to step off into good health and all that it entails, I will be ending the blog. I will not be ending my dependence on Him, that's for certain, but I will be ending the blog. At no time will I allow this to become self serving. Its purpose was always to chronicle our journey through cancer, and should I need to pick up the suitcase again for a subsequent journey, the blog will be resurrected. But I'm still on the journey and will be for a while, so the blog continues and it's back to the subject at hand.
As often happens, my attempts to assimilate the words already put to paper by Mrs. Young and put them into my own pale paraphrase fail, so I choose to quote her at the risk of missing something really important. Here are her words to me today:
"Putting Me first is not an arbitrary rule; it is the way to live vibrantly, joyfully- close to Me. It is also the way to live purposefully, letting Me direct your steps. When I am your top priority, other things fall into their proper place. So delight yourself in Me, first and foremost. As you walk in the Light of My presence, I open up the path before you, crowning your efforts with success."-Sarah Young (Jesus Today).
So, off I go on my journey for today!
"Delight yourself in The Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."-Psalm 37:4 (NIV).
"In everything you do, put God first and He will crown your efforts with success."-Proverbs 3:6 (TLB).
On the health front:
Yesterday was Graduation Day, complete with a diploma from my oncology nurses and balloons from BFF, Pat, who sat with me during treatment. I was privileged to ring the "Freedom Bell", a miniature version of the Liberty Bell, and I received a round of applause from all the nurses and patients who were receiving their treatments. Pretty heady stuff!
I was kept grounded, however, by the reminder from my nurse that instant recovery is not a reality and that improvement will be gradual. My numbers are still extremely low in several areas so I will be receiving two Neupogen shots next week, followed by continued blood draws until the old body takes over on its own.
But...who's complaining!!! I have taken a giant step along this continuing journey through cancer😊
Congratulations Barb. Our prayer is that you will forever be away from that university!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe continue to pray and praise the Lord for His work in your life. Love you
Marge
Thank you, dear Marge!
DeleteI, too, choose to never see this university again:)
And thank you for your continual prayer and encouragement.
With love,
Barb
Hello Barb -
ReplyDeleteAs I read your "On the health front" section of your blog it brings tears to my eyes. I can feel your great joy, but can also feel your humbleness in this joy. I too celebrate your crossing this finish line on your cancer journey. All glory does go to our God, but I am thankful He has given you the words, grace and eloquence to be able to share His Glory to others through your daily words.
I will miss those words when the blog does cease to be a working one anymore. I have drawn much encouragement and growth from all you have shared. You know when you mentioned how you would like to meet Sarah Young one day to let her know how much her words from Jesus Calling meant to you? I too feel the same about the words you have shared to your blogging community as you feel about Sarah Young's heartfelt words of comfort to her community. What makes your words sweeter to me are that they are more impactful because I know they come from someone in my same community instead of so far away as Sarah Young. That in itself is a great comfort.
God bless you Barb. You have journeyed well and I know God the Father is very proud of His beautiful daughter. Take care and I pray for your continued healing as you move forward through this process of fighting these unwelcome invaders. Take care.
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Matt 25:21
Dearest Mystery Friend,
DeleteIt is through tears that I reply to your overwhelmingly beautiful comments. I am humbled and grateful that God has used my words to reach you. I have been touched over and over again by your words as I read your faithful comments throughout this journey, words that give glory to God and reveal your close relationship with Him.
My prayer is that you are now looking at your challenge through the rear view mirror, and if this is not the case, that you are growing in Him by leaps and bounds as you face your new reality. Judging by your beautiful heart, I know you are.
I am sure that your words are bringing as much comfort to others as they are to me.
With love,
Barb