A couple months ago I was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. My immediate response was anger. I mean seriously, I've never even looked at a cigarette in a desirable manor. Out of all the cancers this is the one? REALLY!?!?
I told God that if I had to take chemo I was out. I'm done fighting. I felt I had been fighting for life since the moment I was born. It's just not worth it anymore. The next morning I woke up and remembered I who I was. I looked at the tattoo on my wrist, I had gotten it this summer, Talitha Koum, and it reminded me that Jesus is telling me to rise. To get up, that this fight is not over and I will not fight alone. I was born a warrior and that is what I do, I fight! My whole mindset had changed overnight and I no longer was angry in fact I saw The Holy Spirit all over this with me.
The last couple months have been pretty fast paced and kind of unreal as we gather information to go into battle. Every day I need to remember that I am a daughter of THE KING, I will not let this stand in my way of loving and living. There have been a few set backs, a close encounter with death, finding people to be "care takers", and other small things but there have been beautiful parts too.
The other day I received an envelope from some of my teens from Tinley Park. I was so moved. Those kiddos are always on my heart and I love them dearly. All of the letters were awesome but one of the letters I received hit me right in the feels. He is now a student atThe University of Notre Dame and talked about how he has been praying for me daily at the grotto. He told me that a couple weeks ago after the trumpeters (he plays trumpet in the band) played in front of the grotto after a game. When they were done he and a few other players were approached to take a picture with some people and hold a sign, something that happens often. He said on the sign it said "In this family, no one fights alone." And it had the lung cancer ribbon on it. He said he knew that it was for me and he believes that God was telling him I'd be okay.
How beautiful. How blessed. How incredibly loved am I, that not only am I loved by my heavenly Father but by all those He has placed around me. I'm not afraid for I know God surrounds me in this. I know there are people on my side ready to go to battle for and with me.
My prayer for you, whatever you may be going through, is that you know You are being held. You have not been lost in the chaos of it all. If you are feeling like you are lost in the chaos, you're not, if you feel completely isolated, you're not, people you may not even know may just be right beside you fighting for and with you and even if they aren't, God is. You are NEVER alone. I'm there too!
May you feel God surrounding you in your storm!
