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"Dede's Walk With
God"
" A PROMISE OF
TOMORROW "
(A touching story for the
heart...)
Hurriedly, I walked out onto the patio to
shake the small hand area rug. Thinking all the while of
the other mundane things that needed to be done, I
noticed the crocuses were just peeking through the cold,
dark earth and the hyacinths were up ready to bloom. I
sat down on the step to get a better look and felt the
warm sun. It was cool, really too cool to sit outside
without a jacket but I hardly noticed because the fresh,
clean smell of yesterday's rain along with the morning
sun put new energy into my soul.
For a few moments my heart sang; yes, right then every
thing did seem right with the world. For a few minutes I
was able to put aside the trials that beset me when I
had stepped out into the fresh air. Evidence of renewal
was everywhere. The further I looked the more evidence I
saw. After the long winter and the weight of snow and
rain the fragile little plants were anxiously pushing
their way through the warming earth to once again
brighten the lives of all who would take a moment to
look at them.
I thought of the times that I had always felt I was too
busy to just sit and drink in the beauties around me -
seeing them from the car window was enough. But then on
our wedding anniversary thirteen years before my husband
and I sat in the doctor's office as he announced a
diagnosis of breast cancer.
The nearest treatment center was three hours away. The
proposed regimen was, I would take treatments five days
a week and could go home for the weekends.
The thirty treatments were marked off on the calendar
but I could not understand why my body would not
cooperate with me. Finally my doctor informed me that I
was suffering the ill effects of radiation, called
pneumonitis. Such was my new interruption. It manifested
itself as a severe case of pneumonia. I struggled with
extreme tiredness, severe coughing, chills and high
fever. Unlike other respiratory diseases, it does not
respond to antibiotics. Days dragged into weeks and I
often thought bitterly, "When will this end?"
Gardening and flowers had been my passion. Every day, I
looked out the windows to see if I could see any of my
flowers peeking through the earth as the snow melted. I
told myself, "they will never make and neither will I."
This was a new way of living for me - discouragement had
never been a part of my life but now….Early one morning
my phone rang and a very busy religious leader asked me
how I was feeling. As he continued to talk to me, I
began to hear answers I had been struggling with and
praying about. For one of the Lord's busiest servants to
take time for me was so gratifying and very humbling.
Our conversation brought the relief I so desperately
needed. Even though physically, there remained a
mountain to climb, I had now received inspiration to
help me understand some of the injustices of life.
The next morning dawned a beautiful spring day. I was
determined that I would walk around the lawn and stop at
each flowerbed. As I stopped to rest at the edge of the
first bed, I could hardly believe my eyes. There were
little green shoots everywhere, each reaching upward to
the light and straining for the warmth of the sun.
Just like the perennials, I too had come through the
long hard winter.
Thirteen years later on our 50th wedding anniversary,
the doctor confirmed that I did indeed have a battle
ahead of me this time the treatment would be
chemotherapy.
I had once again come through a long, hard winter,
battling cancer again. This time the battle was Lymphoma
and once again I had reached for the warmth and strained
for the light. Light that only God could give. As He
gently guided and I often resisted, His love continued.
Everywhere I look this morning I see what is truly a
gift from God.
I will never again take life for granted. God is in His
Heaven and that can make all right with the world.
Yes, each day brings its own priceless miracle - the
renewal of life and a promise of tomorrow...
" But if we look forward to something we don't have yet,
we must wait patiently and confidently." (Romans 8:25
NLT)
" TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED "
Sometimes people come into your life and you know right
away that they were meant to be there, they serve some
sort of purpose; teach you a lesson, or help figure out
who you are, and who you want to become.
You never know who these people may be: your neighbor,
child, long lost friend, or even a stranger who, when
you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment
that they will affect your life, in some profound way.
And sometimes things happen to you, and at the time they
seem painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize,
that without overcoming those obstacles, you would have
never realized your potential strength, or your hearts
desire.
Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by
chance or by means of good or bad luck. Illness, injury,
love, lost moments of true greatness, as well as
experiencing sheer stupidity; all occur to test the
limits of your soul.
Without these small tests, whether they be events,
illnesses or relationships, life would be like a paved
straight flat road to nowhere, safe and comfortable, but
dull and utterly pointless.
The people you meet who affect your life, and the
successes and downfalls you experience, create who you
are, and even the bad experiences can be learned from;
in fact, they are probably the poignant and important
ones.
If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart,
forgive them; for they have helped you learn about trust
and the importance of being cautious to whom you open
your heart...
If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally,
not only because they love you, but because they are
teaching you to love, and opening your heart and eyes to
things you would have never seen or felt without them.
Make every day count. Appreciate every moment, and take
from it everything that you possibly can, for you may
never be able to experience it again...
Talk to people you have never talked to before, and
actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free
and set your sights high...
Hold your head up, because you have every right too.
Tell yourself you're a great person and believe in
yourself... for if you don't believe in yourself, no one
else will believe in you either.
Create your own life and then go out and live in it !
"Live Each Day As If It Were Your Last...
Tomorrow is Not Promised..."
(UNKNOWN)
" COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS EVERY DAY "
(A positive thought...)
Instead of: " I don't have anything to be
thankful for" Try this:
Look at yourself. Look at the
gifts God has bestowed upon you within
your spirit.
Look beyond yourself. Look
at the family of God that He has given you
to support you as you move ever closer
to Him.
Look to Jesus. Look at how
much He loves you- enough to sacrifice
Himself for you so you may be with Him
forever!
We are truly blessed beyond measure!
Made with love
Page put together by
Jimmy
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