This week I have talked to three women who have had cancer strike their family. One is a reoccurrence of cancer that she had battled 4 1/2 years ago. One is a wife who's husband has just been diagnosed. The third friend lost her brother-in-law recently to brain cancer. All of these families will never be the same because of the trial they are walking through.
The news this week brought me back to my own diagnosis and the dark days that Jon and I existed in when all we had was a tiny pinhole light that was the promise that God would never leave us or forsake us. Today that light is like a lighthouse guiding us through the troubled waters of life. As we grew closer to God, the light became bigger and the hope more real.
From the place of His dwelling he looks on all the inhabitants of the earth. Psalm 33:14
There have been a lot of people this week asking, "Why God?" We know we live in a fallen world, but why do innocent people have to suffer? I never felt that my cancer was a product of my doing something wrong. From the moment I was told I had cancer, I knew that I was on God's path, and He had prepared me for what would come. I believe that God had this planned from my birth. He gave me parents that thought it was important for their children to go to church. And when it was time to decide whether I wanted to just have a religion that my parents gave me or make it my own, God gave me a youth minister (Mike Slater) who challenged me to not limit my God, and to make Jesus Christ the most important person in my life.
God has a plan for each of us, it is only by our own choices that we determine if we live out God's plan or not. I have a choice today, do I keep trusting God, or do I turn away and try it my way. There are times when I am just done, and I know that God could reach down and take this away. Just when I am in one of those moments, I see God at work again. I have been approached by many people who share that they have entered into a deeper relationship with God because of what God has to say on this Blog. When I am told that someone is praying, or going to church, or questioning their life that has been void of God, I get really excited. That kind of news keeps me going and lifts my spirits. This is not a Sandy story, this is a story about a loving God who knows exactly what He is doing. He is speaking through this site, and I am the typist.
If you are reading this blog and you are void of Christ Jesus in your life. If you have not talked to Him in a long time. If you haven't really seen the need to talk to God until now. If you are mad at God for circumstances in your life. I want you to know that I would humbly go through this challenge for the exchange of you having a conversation with God. But, there is one thing I can't do. I can't die so that you can live. God sent His Son Jesus who did die for YOU on the cross. I am always floored when I think that even if I was the only one, Jesus still would have died for me. I don't ask why, because I know the characteristics of my God. I know His voice, and He knows mine. We have had many conversations about life. I have been mad at Him a couple of times. I did not like the feeling of not talking to Him, so I apologized and He wiped it all away. Talk to God in your own voice and in your own way. You don't need to say a perfectly made up prayer.
Nevertheless I am continually with you; You hold me by my right hand. Psalm 73:23
God's eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches over me.
Love,
Sandy
