F.R.O.G.

It is so late, but I really felt an urge to write and share a little of what's on my mind. I apologize if it's scattered, and I'll let the fact that it's so late be my excuse. I’m anticipating the amazing time I’m going to have at Greystone this summer and what God has in store for the 9 weeks I’m about to spend in Zirconia, NC. Greystone is such a beautiful place with such beautiful people who love the Lord. Recently, two little 7 year old girls’ have really inspired me through their cancer stories. Both of their moms update their blogs every week or so, and I try to stay updated on them so that I can pray more specifically. The girls’ names are Kate and Abby, and both of them are fighting brain tumors that have reoccurred. I don’t know either one of them personally, but have come across their pages from other people I know/other pages I follow. God has kept both of these little girls strong through this process and battle, and I pray that He continues to do so as they both are beginning new chemo treatments. Strength is vital to being able to even administer the chemo, as they need certain minimal blood counts, etc. I want so much to meet these sweet girls and give them a huge hug and tell them how strong and brave they are, and that God is going to get them through this.


God’s plan is perfect, and I trust Him, and I know that He also performs miracles and is our Healer. That does not mean that we won’t have to face the impossible and that we won’t have to fight diseases and obstacles and that our lives will be easy. God has a plan for me, and His plan included cancer. I’m cancer-free right now, and hope and pray that I will be for life, but it doesn’t mean I will be. The chances are so small that it probably won’t happen, but so were the chances of even having cancer in the first place. It was even stranger for me to get it with almost no history of cancer in my family. I won my fight for cancer, but I didn’t do it by myself. God was there the whole time, and He taught me to fully rely on Him. If you don’t read anything further, at least remember this: F.R.O.G. aka Fully Rely on God. John 15:5 says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Apart from the Lord we have nothing; we are nothing; and we can do nothing. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Isaiah 40:26 says, “Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.” The Lord God comforts the people of Jerusalem by declaring His great might and strong power. The Lord is our fortress, our rock, our stronghold, our deliver, our strength and our shield. We can take refuge in Him because He loves us and is there in our time of need, and His plans work together for good. We can stay strong and have an unwavering faith if we continue to believe this truth, and trust God’s sovereignty and mighty power.

I have a little fear of having to go through a cancer fight again, and it hurts me so much to hear about others going through a journey with cancer. Don’t allow cancer or another obstacle in your life define you. Christ is the only one who defines us, and when everything else seems out of control, we can rest and put our hope in Christ. Pray Colossians 3:15, that the peace of Christ will rule in your heart, and Philippians 4, that the peace will transcend all understanding for your struggles. I like the New Living Translation of 2 Timothy 4:5, which says, “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.” This is referring to proclaiming the Gospel and being bold, but it can be translated into any circumstance in which you have the opportunity to bring God glory. Allow God’s glory to shine in your circumstances by trusting Him and proclaiming your faith. I think this can only be possible if we fully rely on Him: relying on ourselves and our own weakness will get us nowhere.

Ultimately, if I had cancer again, it would be part of the Lord’s plan. I don't think I'm going to, and I'm thankful that I can be almost certain I am not because of my odds. Cancer is evil, but suffering through it made me stronger, and 2 Corinthians 1:5 says, “For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” We will share some in Christ’s sufferings in our life, but we can be at peace because of the comfort that He provides, and because He promises that all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Whatever happens to me, whenever it happens, I know I will be living out His plan for my life, and that’s where I can find peace, even with the slight possibility of an evil such as cancer returning. There is no reason to worry about it because He tells us not to be anxious, but to pray, and He will give us peace in the end. It’s so common for people to say, “It will all work out,” or “God will work it out for you I’m sure,” but that’s just not true. When you’re facing reality, it can be tough. There will be uncertainty and it may be difficult. It’s not that it will all work out, but I guess a better way to say it is that it will all work TOGETHER FOR GOOD, because in the end, if we are faithful and live our lives fully relying on God and declaring Him as our Lord and Savior, we will spend eternity with Him in Heaven, and that’s more than good.

Lastly, I wanted to share with you part of Kate’s blog. Her mom posted this a few days ago. Will is Kate’s younger brother, and I think he is 5 or 6. “Last night Will was scared to go to bed. Nightmares have been plaguing him, so he didn't want to sleep. I laid with him and offered to pray, hoping it would bring him comfort and solace as it had so many times before. He rolled over and looked me straight in the eyes. ‘Why mom, God doesn't always choose to give us what we ask for. People still die. I asked and asked for Kate not to be sick anymore and she is. So why should I pray not to be scared? He just might not answer.’ I wanted to cry, but sat silently for a minute. Will was processing the things so many of a struggle with, the question of suffering and why God allows it. The deep disappointments when the answer is far different than we have been pleading for. I was hurt and yet grateful he could verbalize his frustration. Our frustration. God tells us to pray. He tells us to unrelentingly intercede. And so we continue to do just that. . . Kate was able to start chemo on Tuesday. Everything is bittersweet these days. And I can't imagine that changing for us anytime soon. Life seems intricately intertwined with joy and sorrow. Each not exclusive to a season, but rather have been two steady realities.”

Life is intertwined with joy and sorrow, but like it says in Nehemiah 8:10, the joy of the Lord is our strength, and it is this balance that keeps us loving life and also fully relying on God to get us through the hard times. Kate and Abby continue to have joy in the midst of their suffering. Please pray for them, and remember, F.R.O.G.!