As I reflect back on this time last year, I am constantly in awe of all that God has provided for and how He has blessed my family. One of the greatest blessings that happened as a result of my diagnosis last year, has been the friendships that have deepened. I knew I had wonderful friends before I had cancer, but I think the reality of how fragile life can be has impacted us all in a profound way.
I have no doubt that God was orchestrating my support system long before we all knew what was going to happen. I have many friends that have reflected back on our meeting each other, and acknowledged that it must have been God. I am sure God knew exactly who he wanted to speak to through me, and so if you have been touched in some way by my story of faith, I can't take any credit.
The day after Jon and I put out an e-mail asking for prayer, we were flooded with messages of encouragement and offers of help. There was a group of women who met with me and started scheduling people to come in and help us. I will never forget my angels: Carol-lee, LaLaine, and Lynn cleaned my house and grocery shopped for my family. Margo and Valerie came over on their day off to make me breakfast and pick up the morning clutter. Sheri Jackson and Carol-Lee made lunches for the girls. It took the entire LaVerne village to keep our family moving forward. I could list over 20 families that brought us meals for the next 3 months. Our church was also a special part of this support system.
In the midst of all this outpouring of love, I was in great physical pain and I had anxiety so severe I could not eat. Yet, what I remember the most is how faithful God was every day in providing for our needs. I would often get beautiful calls from friends with a scripture verse that had been put on their heart (Cynthia, Cheryl). People were praying like they had never prayed before. I heard that people were praying for me around the pool in Hawaii at an Allstate event! God was placing people in my path so that they could see faith in action, and I could be comforted by them. I started to realize my purpose in this dark valley. God's light started to penetrate the darkness around me. I started to feel strong, and I knew that God was next to me. I would walk through the house talking out loud to Satan and shaking a banana at him telling him that I was going to eat and be strong. Satan would not have the upper hand! There was a real fight going on between darkness and light, and I was on the winning side!
Go ahead and prepare for the conflict, but victory comes from God. Psalm 21:31
I think the biggest mistake Satan ever made was under estimating my love for God and the prayers that would go up on my behalf. I don't know what he was thinking when he decided to pick on me, but God had prepared me well for this battle, and he turned the tide in my favor. That reminds me of one of my favorite promises that I came across last year.
You have seen me tossing and turning through the night. You have collected all my tears and preserved them in your bottle! You have recorded every one in your book. The very day I call for help, the tide of battle turns. My enemies flee! This one thing I know: God is for me!
Psalm 56:8,9
Wow! I would like to know what other God makes promises like that! I am living proof that you can take that promise to the bank. The tide turned even when I was in pain. The tide turned in the midst of cancer. The tide turned even though the tests looked bad. I have already won the battle through Christ! By the way, this was written by King David, whom I just wrote about. He was being stalked at the time and living in great fear. Everything had been taken away.
For you have saved me from death and my feet from slipping, so that I can walk before the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 56:13
I am living today because of the strength I gained from the word of God. If you are under great strain, pain, or anguish this promise is for you too! There is no battle too big for God.
Make no mistake, you have all been a part of this victory. God has heard every word of every prayer that has been offered in my name. I marvel at the power of saying someones name before the creator of us all. It is even better than someone going into the Oval Office and talking to the President about you! Wouldn't you be honored if someone took the time to do that, and a powerful and busy person like the President took the time to listen? Talking to God is a zillion times better than that; God even collects my tears!
The love of friends from every area of our life has been amazing, and we still feel it just as strong today. You have not let up, which is astounding. Even in my lowest moments after my seizure, I could not deny the fact that God was very in tune to my situation. YOU wouldn't let Him forget! You all came running from all directions, and every need was taken care of. You are a reflection of God and His amazing love. Thank you for helping me turn the tide. I hope that you are on the winning side today. If not, it only takes a simple prayer to someone who is never too busy to hear.
In His Amazing Love,
Sandy
