Wednesday, March 16, 2011

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid..."

Deuteronomy 31:6 , goes on to say "The Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you..." Some where I read how many times the Bible says "do not be afraid"...my mind is so chemo-dead, I cannot remember but it was a lot! Don't you love the confidence that should give us.

I keep running into or connecting or have a time to be with young women who are having trouble or have cancer, or are ill in some way. I love the fact that God has allowed me to live and be able to either console or share my life with anyone. I was with a young woman recently who has an autistic child and this was a time of sharing, even though our Johny was not autistic, still his special needs were part of our lives and I can identify and understand the emotional chaos this brings to a family. I went with her to a workshop for such and heard several young women who told of their struggles, and God's nearness. One used this verse (Deut. 31:6) and another used Phil. 4:13 and how these verses spoke to them. "I can do all things thru Him [God] who gives me strength" has meant so much to me over these years. My God did not cause my cancer, but He certainly can enable me to use this and give Him the glory as He allows me to live and share.

My friend Gene, has made it through two rounds of chemo and I pray he is doing better on this kind than the last one. I will have the CT in just a few weeks and see what my body is doing. Meantime, I love the feeling of freedom and not being on that routine. I love feeling like I am normal (even though a hundred times a day, a small voice whispers "wonder what the cancer is doing?") I just have to be strong and courageous!!!

1 comment:

  1. Barbara Johnson-ClarkMarch 17, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    Dear Bev,
    It's been a while since I posted a comment since we've talked in person and via email several times lately (and I'm so glad for that). But we read every post of yours, and you know what faithful prayer warriors we are in your behalf. However, I just had to post tonight and tell you how honored my Meg was last night that you mentioned her, though not by name, in your blog. She walked on air to know that Mrs. Bev mentioned her in such a special place. Oh the influence you have, the lives you touch, the effect you have on the young to the old. Your love of God, and yours and John's love for each other are a goal that we're all striving for.

    I hadn't realized that John and you were long time close friends of Mrs. Pat and Bro. Ray until I read it in the blog. You know that the children mentioned him every time they mentioned you in every prayer every day. Oh how they adored Bro. Ray. Don't you just feel his music all around each time you think of heaven? Where there is Bro. Ray, there will be a song.

    Keep on mentoring those young mothers. It's a tough world we're rearing children in, and we need all the help we can get.
    Loving you and praying for you daily,
    Barbara

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