The Afternoon of Life

I've wanted for months to put together something that would help me remember my experience with cancer...well, its actually an on-going experience.  Sometimes I think having cancer is just like being an alcoholic...you can be through with it, but you're never truly through with it (sigh).  I was asked yesterday by a dear friend how he could help his friend who was undergoing a double mastectomy.  What follows is the response I sent to him...a response that I believe others can use when they'd like to stand alongside a cancer victim and be a strength to them.  I apologize for the length...but there really was nothing I could leave out. ------------------- “A”lways – PRAY!!!   Holding on to the Father’s hand is imperative during this time.   Remember, He’s the same God in the darkness that He is in the light...or else He’s no good.   He WILL walk with you “through the shadow of the valley of death”.   And remember...this is only the shadow, n...

I did it!!!  I actually finished a project that I really wanted to complete.  I have "scrapped" my "One Little Word for 2011".  And the word I chose for this year is balance.  My life has seemed so out of balance for the last couple of years.  I focused too much of the time on me...sometimes focusing too much on Him....sometimes focusing too much on others.  There's got to be a balance somewhere that doesn't leave me feeling overwhelmed (or underwhelmed).  I wrote out my goals for 2011 and tried to show what balance would look like...I believe these are measurable and attainable (but only with the strength of God). Goals for 2011 Spiritual                         Memorize 52 Bible verses                         Consistent...

I'm 53...53! (gasp)  And I thought by now things would just be getting a little easier in life.  Is that too much to ask?  After the wonderful Christmas sermon series, I let God know that I wanted to be like Mary and Joseph...I wanted to be a "Yes, Lord" gal (hmmmmm...I guess that's more like Jesus...He obeyed His Father too).  I prayed and asked God to open doors for me to serve Him to show Him my love.  I committed to loving "the least of these" ... not begrudgingly and as an act of obedience like I've done in the past...but to seek out "the least" and actively love and serve them.  And the very first task that God sends my way is a little daunting.  I don't want to go into details, but I would ask that anyone reading this note would say a prayer for me.  I'm working out the details in my heart, but I know that I can't tell God I'll be a "Yes, Lord" gal and then run at the first opportunity He sends my way.  I know ...

 In The Message, Matthew 25: 31-40 reads, " When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we eve...