Okay, hate is not a word that we encourage or teach in our home. It is a very strong word that I simply do not like. We have only given our permission to the boys to say hate in one scenario and that is when referring to the devil. However, I may have to make a new exception to our "We don't say Hate" rule. And that is when it comes to cancer.
I don't know anyone who has not been impacted by this horrific disease. It is ugly! In the last seven months, my dear friend, Karalee, has been battling this disease. I know many of you who read this blog have been praying for her and keeping up with her in her journey. Click here to visit her Caringbridge site. It has been a hard battle, but she is able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, since after months of chemotherapy, she is rounding the corner to her last raditation treatment that is suppose to take place in mid-April. Praise Jesus for how he has brought her through, but it has not been an easy road and one she is ready to have behind her. Please continue to pray for her and for nothing to stand in the way of the celebration trip that she and her hubby have planned for April 15th!
A few days ago, I learned of another young mom who is now in a battle with this nasty disease. Her name is Julie Whaley and she is a member of our church. I know her on as an acquantaince, since I have had her daughter in nursery and we have attended birthday parties together. She and her husband, Ethan, have three little girls. Julie was just diagnosed with stage one breast cancer. And like Karalee, she is the picture of health. My heart was broken for this sister when I learned the news. I was taken back to last September when I learned the news of Karalee and my heart instantly went out to her, her little ones and her hubby, too. Wow! How can you be prepared for such a diagnosis? Especially when you are mothering little children and simply do not have time to be sick. How do you go from having your focus on caring for everyone else to being in the spotlight and having to be the one cared for? And how in the world do you parent toddlers with limited energy? I don't know these answers, but I am praying for this young family as they make the needed adjustments to their family that this monsterous disease demands.
For those of you in the middle Tennessee area, there is a benefit for Julie and her family on Tuesday, March 23 at Jump!Zone from 5-7pm. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Whaley family to help off-set the financial burden associated with this disease. Also, gifts of love can also be donated through the website. Click here for more information on the benefit and on Julie and her fight.
I am not without hope for these women! Our hope can not be in our physical bodies or any security found here on earth. Our hope is in Christ alone. Our pastor preached on the story of Joseph (beginning in Genesis 37) today and how although he was obedient to God, things did not always work out perfectly and he endured some major struggles. I mean, how much worse can it get than having your own brothers sell you into slavery? Although he eventually found favor with Potipher and was given great responsibility, when he was tempted by his wife and actually did the right thing and evaded adultery, he was still thrown in prison. He knew God's promise to him, but it took much time for it to be fulfilled. Joseph was patient. Not only did he wait, but he, an innocent man, waited patiently in prison. He didn't try to "help" God along, he simply waited and remained faithful to the God he served, and endured what he had to, to get to the place God was bringing him. And in his faithfulness, he found favor with pharoah, used his God-given skill of dream interpretation, and was put in a position to where he was not only reunited with his family, but was able to save them and therefore, save a nation.
Pastor tied all this in with the promise believers are given in Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose." We may never see the rewards on this side of heaven. We are not promised that just because we follow the Lord, that everything will always work out perfectly. Actually Christ said in John 16:33, ""I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." We are promised that God will work all things (good and bad) out for GOOD. Christ has overcome the world. The victory is His!
And that is where my hope lies.
But I still hate cancer!
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