We are each made so different. We deal with things differently, we respond to things and situations differently. There is no shame in that. We are like "fingerprints" no two of us exactly the same. Me - I am transparent with many things my life. Although I don't share everything - I do share what I think will be helpful to someone else. Why? I think there are so many things we keep "tucked away" that we don't realize that someone else may need to hear about our experiences. I think its one of the reasons why God allows us to go through our "wilderness" experiences. To be able to extend our hand behind us and to grasp the hand of someone else going through what we have gone through. Or perhaps "encourage" each other if the timing has us going through the same thing at the same time. To learn from each other. To encourage each other. Perhaps someone going through the same thing as you are is not quite so "transparent" and think they are the only one going through whatever it is they are going through.
Other people have a tendency to withdraw within themselves. To shut out the rest of the world and contemplate. I think of wounded animals - they do that. Go off on their own to heal (or to die). Yet I do think that there are times when this is also beneficial. Even Jesus went off to be by himself at times. To "recoop" to "pray." There is nothing wrong with needing time to yourself. It truly is whatever works for you.But through it all - its important for us as the Body of Christ to know - that we are many members - but ONE in the body. One body. One Bride. When you stub your toe - the pain radiates ALL the way up to the brain. Think about how much a little "paper cut" hurts. The whole body is aware of the pain. Its amazing how God made us. As I'm learning more and more physically about the body - I realize how much we sit back and take for granted. We truly are wondrously and marvelously made.
I had no idea how many women have gone through breast cancer - until I have found myself journeying that same path. I guess its because I never thought much about it. There has been no history of it in my family - so I didn't worry about it. I worried about "everything else" (LOL) but not breast cancer. I didn't know that 80% of breast cancer cases have happened to women WITHOUT a history of breast cancer in their families. When something is not happening to you - or to someone you love its easy for it to become "background noise." But I've met some wonderful women. Women who continue to give me strength and advice and share their experiences with me. CeCe, Carol, Glenda, Denise to name just a few. I've become part of a "sorority of sisters" I never imagined I would join. But if you could see these women - these strong, beautiful, courageous, considerate, loving, generous women. Along with my sisters in Christ and with good dear friends - these women who are ALL survivors have shared a bit of their experience with me. Giving me their strength when I feel weak. There has only been one other time in my life when my life had drastically changed - and that was when I became a Christian 22 years ago. I never thought I would have such a life altering change happen to me again. And yet in four weeks - JUST four weeks! My life has drastically changed. The little things I fussed about or worried about in life seem so trivial now. You know the saying "Don't sweat the small stuff?" Well its true. Jesus said (Matthew 6:25-34) "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food? And the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the fields grow? They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the fields which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you? Oh you of little faith? So do not worry saying 'what shall we eat,' or 'what shall we wear'. For the pagans run after all these things and your Heavenly Father knows you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and these things shall be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Its important for us to find joy in every day in some way. I know this is going to sound crazy - because I am a cup 1/2 full person. But as I have thought about the last four weeks and the things that have happened to me (and not only affect me - but my family as well) I have still found things to be thankful for. NO one is thankful for cancer. But I am thankful that the diagnosis happened in the Summer instead of the school year - when it would have disrupted my kids from school. I'm thankful for my family - for my husband who is working whatever hours he can get and extra jobs to provide for us while I am out of work back in upstate NY. For my kids who are staying with my "inlaws" while mummy "gets better" for friends who have stuck BY me even when they haven't known exactly "what" to say. For my inlaws who are watching my 11 year old and 4 year old. For my mom who goes to every doctors appointment with me to be my ears and for letting me stay back at my childhood home while I get the best care I can. For my Sisters and brothers in Christ for praying for me. For my family and for other survivors who continue to encourage me and to help me realize more and more that THIS is ONLY one chapter in my life. It will not be my whole life. Its just the "now" of it. There are always things to be thankful for. And most of all - I'm thankful for my God - who has said that He will NEVER leave nor forsake me. What are YOU thankful for? In the midst of whatever God has you going through? He wants us to lean on Him not only in bad times - but good. And to lean on each other. There is no weakness in that. Or as the Bible says "When you are weak - He is strong." (2nd Corinthians 12:9)
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