Hope Through A Season of Change

Autumn in Ohio is a beautiful, colorful time of year. Our home is nestled on a hill and as you look out over our back deck you see trees surrounding the farm fields. This time of year you’ll see yellows, browns, oranges, and a few bursts of red. We are in a season of change. It is like looking at a remarkable painting. 

So far, this autumn season for me has been one of personal changes. The change of seasons is a reminder that we too will go through seasons in life. I’m entering a new season with a cancer diagnosis. 

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

It started in October when I went for a routine screening mammogram. The tech asked if I was having any problems so I mention a small lump recently discovered. She scheduled an appointment at the hospital for me to have extensive tests.

That appointment was November 2 and life was about to change. A doctor came into the ultrasound room, looked at my images on the screen, and gently told me one spot looked to be cancer. I wasn’t expecting this news but also wasn’t taken by surprise. I think having received a cancer diagnosis years ago softened the blow this time. in 2008 I had thyroid cancer and you can read about that HERE.

The doctor could be wrong and I’ll just wait to see what the biopsy result shows. Four biopsies were scheduled on November 6. The procedure was awful and it hurts my heart to think of others who have gone through this. Like my mother when she had breast cancer many years ago. 

As they performed the procedure, I had a wonderful, caring friend outside the hospital praying for me. I’m telling you, that is humbling.  For her to take time out of her busy life to intercede for me. I also received many messages, texts, comments on my status updates, all offering prayers of healing, positive encouraging words, and lots of love. To know so many care is truly a blessing and I’m so grateful for the love.

The night before the biopsies, our sweet Cocker Spaniel, Lady, passed away. We were devastated, to say the least. I will always cherish the fun we had with her, which was almost 16 years. She was 17 when she passed. A good long life with a loving faithful friend. 

Since visitors are discouraged to come to the hospital, because of Covid, John didn’t go with me. He dropped me off and came back later. As I walked down the hall to meet him outside, it was a lonely walk. Until I remembered the Bible verse that says God will never leave me or forsake me. (Deuteronomy 31:6). I thought of so many in places where their families and loved ones cannot visit them. Some die alone and my heart breaks hearing these stories. I hope they know God our Father is with them.

On Monday, November 9, the doctor’s office called with results. The tumor on the left is cancer and the others are benign. The next appointment will be to review the next steps.

I’m doing OK. Of course, I’m concerned but not fearful or really worried. I think of it as a bump in my journey. The Bible teaches us to ‘take our thoughts captive’ so that’s what I do, which means I have the choice of what to think about. 2 Corinthians 10:5. When those thoughts try to sneak in of doom and gloom, I say the name of Jesus, read my Bible, or listen to worship music. I saved some of my favorite Bible verses on my Bible app so that I could read them on my iPhone as I waited to have the procedure done. I love His words to me! They are true and they are life!

It’s all going to be OK because God is Love and He is Good. Whatever we go through He is with us. We pray, believe, trust, and leave it with Him. God is Good, no matter what. Jesus promises to be our Anchor, especially in the storms of life. I trust Him, no matter what happens. 

God is Good, no matter what.

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If you do not know my Jesus, I beg you to get to know Him. He loves you and me more than we can fathom. He will never leave us or forsake us.