The Gift of Grace thru Grief. . .

Amazing Grace - Arrangement by Eric & Marcus Stanley 
Lyrics by John Newton (1725-1807)
(Please click for background music as you read this message of H.I.M.)

This time of year can be one of the happiest or, unfortunately, one of the saddest for many. Although, I am sure, many may like to have a “Currier & Ives” Christmas moment of having a horse-drawn sleigh-ride in the country or the sentiment of family gatherings sipping on eggnog, while singing Christmas carols around the Christmas tree, sadly we often see the quiet sufferings on the faces of those who may pass us every day as each of us go about our own separate way.

As I reflect upon this past year in my own life, it would be so easy for me to be melancholy and to grieve over the losses in my life, due to the deterioration of my health. However, if I chose to do that then I would deprive myself of the many gifts God has blessed me with, while living with Stage IV cancer; one of the greatest being the “Gift of Grace” through grief.

It is only through God’s “Gift of Grace” have I been able to overcome my grief with ~ Gratitude, Resilience, Acceptance, Courage and Encouragement; so that I can give Hope ~ Inspiration ~ Motivation (H.I.M.) to others. It is with the ~

“Grace of a grateful heart” that I am released of my spiritual pain, which could so easily bind me, but through much prayer heals me so I can become a sojourner (a crusader) for H.I.M. God is not only always near me when I am brokenhearted, but binds my wounds and rescues me.  For “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. . .He heals the brokenhearted and binds their wounds” (Psalm 34:18 & Psalm 147:3). He has blessed me with the encouragement and compassion of others so many times this past year. Little do they know how often they have uplifted my spirits through the power of their prayers. I am so very thankful;

“Grace of resilience” that I not only have the assurance and comfort from God, but believe He has a purpose and plan in my life, and has given me eternal life when I read, “Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). Consequently, I can gladly say, “This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) and “Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life” (Psalm 143:8);  

“Grace of acceptance” that I have the courage, hope and peace in my heart knowing my strength and hope comes only from the Lord ~ “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all who hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:24). My faith is like an elevator that carries my trust in Him higher and higher as He reminds me again, ”Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, do not be discouraged; for the Lord thy God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9). Therefore, “Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving…” (Psalm 147:7). God does not send trials in our life to “impair” us, BUT to “inspire” us. “O, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever" (Psalm 136:1);

“Grace of courage” that I have the confidence in sharing my journey with others so they may also be blessed and encouraged through grief. Courage is not simply a practice in my life, but is my way of life. It is by being sustained with the strength of the Lord in my life that I believe,"I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13);

“Grace of encouragement” that I have not only been blessed by God’s promises and comfort, while meditating on His Word, but I yearn to encourage others. By investing myself in the lives of others, God has shown me His purpose for my life as I live by His promises. It has allowed me to live beyond my fears by my deepening faith in His great faithfulness. For I believe, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new  every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)  

And so, it is my earnest prayer that you may know God’s “Gift of Grace” through your grief because of His Amazing Grace through His son, Jesus Christ.

"For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given;
and the government shall be
upon his shoulder;
and His name shall be called
Wonderful, Counsellor,
The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6 

The Gift of Suffering. . .

Praise Ye The Lord, Almighty - Arrangement by Joseph Castle
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Once again, it is that time of year when many people are scurrying hither and yon to find that “perfect” gift for their special loved ones.  For centuries, gift-giving has been a significant part of the Christmas season; in fact, as far back as to the day when Baby Jesus was born.  As you may recall, some of his visitors were the wise men, who brought treasures of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Just imagine the joy the wise men must have experienced to be part of such a historical event standing by their Saviour, who was lying in a manager, along with the shepherds, and whoever else may have come by to visit on that holy night.

It has been said gift-giving often has more of a positive-effect on the gift-giver than the recipient. It reveals how much the gift-giver cares for the recipient, as well as demonstrates their appreciation toward the other person and the pleasure the gift-giver receives when they see the joy the gift has given to the other individual.

And so, one may ask, “How can suffering possibly be a gift? Where is the care in seeing someone else suffer? And please explain, how there can possibly be any joy during suffering?”  From an individual, like myself, who suffers every day, while living with cancer, I would like to respond to those very understandably compassionate rhetorical questions~              

When I read II Corinthians 1:3-11, there are at least three health benefits I have discovered from my suffering. Hence, I consider suffering a "Gift," so I can:

“Comfort” others. . .verses 3, 4 & 6, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who ‘comforteth’ us in all our suffering ‘that’ we may be able to ‘comfort’ them which are in  any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted by God. . .whether we be afflicted…or whether we be comforted. . .it is for your consolation and salvation.”  

From the very beginning of my cancer illness, it has been my passion and commitment that cancer would never break me, make me bitter, or drain my life of Hope ~ Inspiration ~ Motivation. Quite the contrary, my journey with cancer is, in fact, all about H.I.M. It is often said at this time of year, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” Well, no truer words may be said; however, I would like to paraphrase that quote and say, “Cancer is the reason for the seasons for me to tell others about H.I.M. all year round!”  Suffering has defined my “mission” and “purpose” in life; which gives me “joy”!

Completely, unconditionally, “trust” in God and not myself. . . verse 9, “But we had the sentence of death in ourselves that we should not trust in ourselves, but (trust) in God…”

My cancer may be an "earthly" death sentence; however, death is not my termination BUT my transition to my heavenly home! Nevertheless, rather than asking, “Why me, God?” or “Why now God?”, during my time of meditation and solitude with Him, I find great consolation when reading verses such as Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God,” and Lamentations 3:22, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.” If I did not have my faith and trust in God, cancer would totally consume me to hopelessness, helplessness and heavyheartedness. However, by completely trusting in God's will, it takes the “fear out” of my life and strengthens the “faith in” my life. Suffering has helped me to stay calm by letting go and letting God take care of me, while I trust and rest in HIM, which gives me “Strength”!

Count my many blessings. . . .verse 11, “While you join in helping us by your prayers, then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gift that came to us through the prayers of others.”

My heart is overflowing for the many prayers that are daily said on my behalf for my family and me. Strangers, whom I have never nor probably will ever meet, have been praying for us these many months. My heart is deeply moved by the compassion and graciousness of others. It is through the power of prayer that we are seeing answered prayers! Suffering has given me a heart full of thanksgiving, which gives me an attitude of gratitude for God’s love and, most importantly, “peace”!

Therefore, through the gift of suffering I have received ~ Strength ~ Opportunity ~ Nourishment ~ Grace; in other words, a "SONG "in my heart, which I can only give “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” the glory and praise for the great things He has done and continues to do in my life. And so, this is my sincere prayer, when you are struggling and suffering through some type of loss in your life that you will turn to HIM, our Father of  mercy and God of all comfort, let go of your burden and let God turn it into a blessing so that you can turn your sorrow and suffering into a SONG of joy! God's blessings of H.I.M. be with you now and forevermore.

Out of my deepest sorrow and suffering
has come the strongest awareness of
God's presence and faithfulness.

  

What Tree Might You Want To Be?

Purple Flowers - Arrangement by Peder B. Helland
(Please click for background music as you read this message of H.I.M.)

This past month, we have experienced some very strong wind storms consistently coming off the lake; as the waves are roaring and foaming, the trees are swaying and bracing. Even the more mature trees around our area have suffered and lost some branches, which have resulted in my husband and I picking up twigs and fragments that have been strewn across our lawn. What I find quite interesting, however, is how much these deep-rooted trees can actually withstand even though they are completely exposed to the intense elements.  They appear to bear much more than other trees, which have been planted in a more sheltered area resulting in being less exposed to the stress and strain of the fierce winds.

Consequently, I found myself asking, “If I had a choice, what tree in life might I want to be?” It has been said that our greatest virtue in character building is suffering of which I can, without a doubt, attest too, while living daily with the effects of cancer! This disease has brought much hardship and challenge just to survive the activities of daily living.   And so, my reply without hesitation is, “I would want to be a willow tree.” 

One of the many virtues I admire about this beautiful, majestic tree is its ability to “adapt.”  It amazes me how this tree is so flexible and can bend in the most preposterous positions without breaking or snapping under the most challenging circumstances.  Another virtue of the willow tree is its willingness to “adjust” under the most intense circumstances by letting go and by bending in any direction, in order to thrive and survive.        

When looking at the willow tree, it signifies to me ~ Stability, Tenacity, Resilience, Endurance, Newness, Gracefulness, Thrivability, and Healing; in other words, it denotes STRENGTH under pressure, at times, the most unbearable circumstances. It, therefore, brings comfort to me when I read, “The slender trees cover him with their shade; the willows by the stream surround him.” (Job 40:22)

Finally, the image of the willow tree instills in me the ability to Face the unknown with Acceptance and Inspiration to Trust completely in Him, our creator. In others words, it is my FAITH that keeps me calm and carry on through the winds of life as majestic and graceful as the willow tree. 

The weeping willow is a sanctuary

 for the troubled soul to take heart

to adapt and adjust; 

in order to thrive and survive.