Today is World Cancer Day. Actually, for my family, right now, every day is cancer day. I had planned to kick it Old Testament and write about my husband’s tonsil cancer using an analogy of the wilderness wandering. I mean, who doesn’t know the story of the 40 year detour God’s chosen people took before they could inhabit the promised land He had for them? Most of us have either studied it, been taught a Sunday school flannelgraph of it, or seen Charleton Heston act it out.
To be honest, the last 5 years have felt like a wilderness, or desert of sorts. I mean, it hasn’t been bad the whole time. We’ve had good times and good friends and generous family. We will call these “manna”. But on the same ground, we’ve also stepped in a lot of poo. At least it hasn’t been 40 years of poo. Not yet anyway.
That sounds so doom and gloom. Yes, we grieve some of the things we endure, but we don’t grieve as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). We have the promise of a better time and better place – same as the Israelites. We have a Father who walks beside us now in our affliction. And through Jesus, He guarantees us a heaven free from pain and suffering. Relief comes. One way or another.
But oh, the pain we feel right now. Are you sensing a lot of back and forth in this diatribe? It’s how I feel on any given day. Joy and sorrow. Pain and delight. Love and fatigue. Laughter and frustration. But we can hold all of it.
God Speaks Into My Wilderness
As all of these thoughts and feelings were rolling around in my head, I opened Jessica Thompson’s book How God Loves Us: 40 Days to Discovering His Character in the Fruit of the Spirit. My Heavenly Father met me on Day 2 of this 40 Day devotional.
“[God] acknowledges the suffering. He doesn’t minimize it. He calls it as it is…The Lord sees that you are in the wilderness. He doesn’t say, ‘This isn’t a bad spot at all! Just have a better outlook, and you will see this isn’t actually a wilderness at all – it’s an oasis!’ No, the Father recognizes that the place you are in is difficult. He doesn’t try to pretty it up or put a good spin on it.
Yet God declares that we find favor even there. We find the outlandish favor of His love – the favor of a Father whose love is not dependent on how we are dealing with our circumstances but depends only on who He is.”
I’m not sure I can add anything else. I’m just so grateful for the manna – the glimpses of the promised land – that we get to experience here. And for the favor He still grants on the days I throw myself a pity party. I’m even more grateful for the undeserved reward yet to come.
And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!
I had to share my fellow link up host Maree Dee’s Three Reasons to Participate in Grace and Truth Christian Blog Link Up – mostly because I agree with all three reasons!
1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.
2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.
3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).
We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.
MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
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Now Let’s Link Up!
I’m sorry your family is going through this journey. I must admit I have never heard of tonsil cancer before. I wonder why they just can’t be removed? I will add you and your family to my prayers! Thanks for the party.
I had never heard of it either, Amy. The did remove his tonsils, but the cancer is already in his lymphatic system. Thank you so much for praying. I really appreciate it.
It’s been a challenging year or so for me, too. God has been faithful through it all, but as you have expressed so well, that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. What a great reminder that His blessings in the midst of it are not dependent on me and my responses! Praying for your husband and your family again this morning.
Aren’t you glad our blessings have nothing to do with us? Thank you so much for your prayers, Donna.
Interesting thought that God doesn’t minimize our trials. We have a tendency to want to make them easier, to lighten them, to even remove them. May God work out all His good purposes through this, sprinkle more manna across your way, and grant healing as soon as possible.
I love that prayer, Barbara. Thank you!
You have been coming to mind often, Lauren. I pray over you every time. Cancer sure does put all the small daily struggles into perspective. My heart breaks for what you are going through, and I’m praying for God’s comfort over you each step of the way. Sending all our love…
Thank you so much for the prayers, Stacey.
Lauren,
You and your family have been in my prayers. I’m truly sorry you’ve been through such a long wilderness season.
In His love,
Tammy
Thank you so much for the prayer, Tammy.
You and your family are in my prayers. I wish you didn’t have to walk this path.
However, I have no doubt you will touch people’s lives. I love your words of encouragement. Yes, we can experience two emotions simultaneously, and neither Joy nor sorrow will cancel the other out.
Thank you for featuring my post. I love co-hosting with you.
Maree
I am so thankful you asked me to be a co-host. And so thankful for your prayers.
I am sorry to hear about that. Cancer truly does suck.
Agreed.
Sometimes it feels like when it rains, it pours. Sounds like you’ve been in some soaking years, Lauren. I’m so sorry for all that you’ve been through and are currently going through. I pray that the Lord will send you many gifts of grace as you walk with your husband through his cancer journey.
Thanks so much, Lisa.
Lauren, I’m sorry your family is walking through this trial. Such a prolonged season can leave a wife/mama weary. I appreciate your perspective and the reminder that God is with us in the hard seasons. I agree with Maree, joy and sorry are not mutually exclusive, more the other emotions you shared. I’m saying prayers for you guys this weekend.
Thank you so much, Jeanne.
yes, yes, this is a hard season for you and those you love, friend.
and sometimes the best thing we can is simply sit in the wilderness, collect the fresh manna, and know He will keep on sustaining us one day at a time.
praying even as we speak.
He is sustaining us. Thank you for the prayers, Linda.
I believe God wants us to tell him exactly what we are struggling with, exactly how we feel. Yes, he already knows – but I think he wants us to name it so we know it’s his handiwork that helps us through and takes care of us! You are so right – He can handle all our emotions – so we need to be honest about them! You have been and are going through such tough challenges – but how you are handling them with God is such a beautiful testimony!!! Praying for you and yours, Lauren! ~ Shalom, Maryleigh
Thank you for all of this, my friend.
Thank you for sharing these words…and your pain…and hope… it is all so raw and real and relatable…so glad you linked up..please keep doing so. I would love to continue following along…sending prayers XO
Thank you so much for your interest, Holly. And especially you prayers. So appreciated.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you for reading my story, Julie.
This is so meaningful and yes, encouraging because it is so real.
Thank you so much, Jan. That was my hope.
I like how you write that you can be both emotionally exhausted and hopeful at the same time as you persevere through the “wilderness.” Thank you for linking up at Talent-Sharing Tuesdays.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
We can definitely hold a myriad of emotions at the same time. Our creative God made us so complex and capable of so much.
Oh, I am so sorry, Lauren! May the Holy Spirit comfort your family and may God keep meeting you in your wilderness.
Thank you, Anita!
I am so sorry for all that your family has been going through. I am sure this has not been an easy time and will you keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you so much for the prayers. They mean so much.