"God sends the dawn
that we might see
the might-have-beens
that still might be."
Robert Brault
Surviving cancer is a different experience for everyone. One thing I think most survivors can agree on though, is that life is not the same. I, for one, never again will take the act of waking up to a normal day of feeling healthy for granted, nor do those days go unappreciated. I've learned how beautiful a day can really be, that life is vibrant, and words have meaning. Even more significant perhaps than that, I know that relationships are more important than petty disagreements.
I "died" of cancer in 2011. Now, a year and a half later, after a meticulous carcinoid regimen, I am reborn daily, into something remarkably more than life as I knew it before. Regardless of the symptoms of this disease, my goal is to transform loss and hardship into happiness. To demonstrate resiliency and empathy, 2 strengths that rescue us all in the face of pain or disappointment.
Resilience: a willingness to fight on, no matter what. The power or ability to return to the original form, or position after being bent, compressed or stretched. The ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like.
Honestly, if cancer patients don't have a need for resilience, I don't know who does! We've been bent, compressed, and stretched about as far as we can go. One minute you're cruising right along: Life is good, job is great, family life is sweet, you're happy and content. Then right out of nowhere, somethings not quite right, it requires a closer look and the next thing you know you're lying flat on your back looking at the world from a completely different angle. Being resilient, having a mindset that pushes you to restore yourself to health and life, is absolutely crucial.
Setbacks along the way for Cancer Survivors are not permanent conditions. It's just a pause from the direction we were headed. But there's nothing that says we stay there. I'm not trying to minimize what this disease takes from us, because it is HUGE and it feels HUGE. BUT... if we allow it to hold us back from recovering and rebounding to the person we are called to be, we are selling ourselves, and others, short.
I like to think of cancer as a bump in the road,,,a minor setback, on the road to an otherwise fabulous life. If we always have the "C-word" hanging over our heads, then we will not be resilient and we hold ourselves back from the life that is waiting for us. This can be a challenge for those of us who are not "cured", but vital to being who we are intended to be and living life.
"God, grant me a vacation
to make bearable what I can't change.
A friend to make it funny,
and the wisdom to never get my knickers in a knot,
because it solves nothing,
and makes me walk funny."
Sandi Patty sang a song "In Heaven's Eyes". This song paints the picture of ordinary people loved by an extraordinary God. How that in Heaven's eyes, there are no losers, no hopeless cause. Just people like you, with feelings like me, amazed by the grace we can find. That when life happens... when we feel fragile and perhaps losing ground...God sees our heartache, feels the pain, knows each sorrow and hears every cry. If we look up, we will see compassion's fire ablaze in heaven's eyes. I believe that there is a God, who renews our strength, and who carries us when we have none. I believe it, because He's done it for me.
Isaiah 65:24 says, "And it shall come to pass, that BEFORE they call, I will answer; and WHILE they are yet speaking, I will hear.
How awesome to know that the Creator of the Universe takes care of us, even before we know what we need. Because of Him, His love for us, His empathy demonstrated for us... we can be resilient.
That obstacle in front of you today that may seem to big to tackle...THINK AGAIN.
