cancer

Greetings! I thought I’d dust off this blog on the last day of 2018 as it’s only fitting to “remember, celebrate, and trust” on New Year’s Eve, right? Wishing you and yours a very blessed day, and a fantastic 2019 full of the goodness of the Lord!

As I remember 2018, we had many milestones and reasons to celebrate: my oldest son graduated from college and began his first full-time job; my middle son attended a study abroad program in England and our family had the opportunity to go to Europe and visit him; my daughter entered her senior year of high school and has been accepted to one of her top-choice colleges; my hubby is thriving at work and yet is still committed to our family and me at home; my photography “hobby” actually generated some income (woo-hoo!); and I had lots of wonderful opportunities to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones, too.

And then there were some of the heartbreaks of 2018: a precious friend facing an unexpected divorce; another (!) cancer diagnosis for a family member who has already fought this battle repeatedly; some health battles for myself and for many others close to me; anxiety and depression seeking to devour the joy; deaths, sicknesses, injustices, misunderstandings — losses in so many different flavors…

So my “word” for 2018 was “contentment” and I’d have to say I didn’t exactly master that one, but I’ve chosen two others to focus on in 2019. It’s always good to set a high goal, right? And if it first you don’t succeed, double the “to do” list and tackle it again! 🙂

Seriously, the word “intentional” keeps cropping up so I feel that it’s a great goal for this fresh-start year. As one who walks through my house/life and gets so easily distracted by whatever is in front of me — instead of perhaps what is the most important thing that I am supposed to be doing right now — I need to keep this word ever before me. “Focus and finish” is a mantra I often mutter to myself as I veer off the path of intentionality. Part of this is perhaps due to being a “creative” who sees a picture opportunity or something that just “can’t wait,” and part of it is due to the distractions of various other “fun” things like Instagram, Facebook or a phone call that is SO much more desirable than bills, laundry, grading papers, property reconciliations or other work.

For example, here’s a picture of a fox that paused in my backyard to take a bath, giving me some time to grab my camera and take like 30 photos, which I then posted on social media. I literally stopped what I was doing and not only photographed the “fox” spoiling my “vine” of diligent work, but I even took extra time to post it! Haha! So here’s a visual of NOT being intentional:

And then there’s my other word goal for 2019: “gratitude.” It kind of dovetails with the contentment idea. Am I grateful for the people in my life? Am I thankful for even the difficult situations that I am facing, or those of people who are precious to me? As one who pushes herself and judges herself harshly, am I setting that same ridiculous, often unachievable standard for those around me? Or, am I thankful for the people and circumstances around me, giving thanks to God for “everything” — as He commands? Ouch. Just typing that is a course correction for me — gratitude is not a suggestion.

So I’ll close this out with a “3 by 5” idea for us as we enter the New Year: pick three measurable goals each day that you will be intentional about and that are realistic to achieve; and close out each day naming five things/people that you are thankful for before you go to sleep. As an added bonus, I challenge you — and myself here, also — to stop the train of discontentment or self-pity in the midst of any given day by pausing to name five things RIGHT NOW for which you are thankful. Let me know how it goes, and I will do the same!

Here’s a Scripture to go along with being intentional and grateful:

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17

Amen, and a very Happy New Year to you and yours!

Lisa

Remember. Celebrate. Trust.

P.S. ~ Here are a few of my pictures from Europe with Scriptures added — combining two of my favorite things!

Wait for the Lord. Be strong and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 NASB

I don’t know about you, but I hate to wait. I want my food – now. I want a parking place – now. I’d like an answer – now (as long as it’s favorable to me). And I’d like all green lights on the way to my destination, please… As you can probably guess, these “demands” are rarely satisfied.

Recently I’ve had some significant opportunities to wait, and I’ve been reminded that waiting involves trust. Last week, for example, my mom had surgery at “one of the top hospitals in the country.” I was in the “waiting room” for close to 12 hours, along with my older brother and step-dad, and it was nerve-racking, to say the least.

Many friends and family prayed with me before and during the process, but I was still struggling with my peace. Would she make it through? Would she wake up from the anesthesia? Would they get all of the cancer? Would her cuts heal, or would she be permanently disfigured?

Additionally, despite having a reputation for “being the best” hospital, there was still human error possible…and happening…at the front end. The receptionist accidentally entered information into the “advanced directive” slot instead of the “power of attorney” slot, so we learned just as my mom was going back to pre-op that we did not actually have the correct paperwork for her wishes. Several tests required for her surgery “had not arrived” so they were going to repeat them all, until we advocated to have them check again, and they “found them.” The surgeon, heralded as one of the tops nationwide, seemed more concerned about finding the top to his pen that had mysteriously disappeared since he came to my mom’s bedside, than he was about explaining the surgery to us and calming our anxieties. Grrrrr.

Thankfully, my mom did great in the surgery, they did get all of the cancer, and her wounds seem to be healing beautifully. Praise be to God, and I am grateful as well for the skills of the numerous medical staff involved.

As we sat in the waiting room for several hours following the surgery, while my mom recovered and prepared to be discharged, I finally turned my attention to the numerous other families nearby. Not everyone was going to be getting the wonderful news that we received that day. For some, waiting here in the cancer ward was a regular occurrence, as their loved ones were battling chronic or recurring disease.

Perhaps you’re in a waiting room that’s fairly significant, too. We all are, I suppose. Waiting to hear about that job. Waiting on medical tests yourself. Waiting to see how things are going to turn out with that loved one. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.

May I pray with you? I’m a big believer in the power of prayer — mostly because I have seen the faithfulness of God come through time and time again. Not often how I would have planned it (in fact, seldom “my way”!), but in an amazing way that I could not have imagined.

Lord, as we wait here, may we trust You for the best possible outcome. Remind us of all the times that You have come through for our loved ones and for us. Please work out all of the details, and remove the obstacles that are hindering Your perfect plan from shining forth. We put our trust in You in this waiting room, because You are trustworthy. In Jesus’s name, we pray. Amen!

Remember. Celebrate. Trust.

Until next time!
Lisa