Your Story

It often feels like cancer keeps taking, taking, and taking. It strips away the things that were important in our previous life. It takes away our appearance: hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, body shape. And leaves scars, stubble, bruises and access ports.

It takes away our personal recognition and leaves a changed face in the mirror. It takes away our health, pain-free mornings, and the ability to walk or move without discomfort. It takes away energy, the “to do” lists of daily activities, our work and hobbies.

It takes away our confidence that things are “fine” and “everything is going to be OK.” It takes away parts of our identities, our daily association with our profession, and our roles and responsibilities in our own home. It takes, takes, and takes.

HOWEVER, there is something it can’t touch. It can’t remove, budge, slow down or change it. What is this amazing behemoth that even cancer can’t reach? God’s love. God’s love for you.

With all that cancer takes away, God’s love remains steady, available, foundational, everlasting, and an anchor for the soul. We can count on God’s love for us.

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3)

And there is more:

I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt. (Jeremiah 31:4)

What cancer destroys, God rebuilds. Is our life the same as before? No. My friend Toni calls it the “new normal.” God can rebuild our lives on His foundation. We have a new perspective now. We know eternity is closer to us than previously imagined. We have a strengthened faith. We have seen what remains after our earthly hopes, desires and dreams are removed, and it changes us.

God remains. His love remains. His desire for us never changes or waivers and He has a purpose for our lives—your life.

What is your story? Is God finished with you yet? I think not. He cares for you and your personal faith story is written on His heart.

He knows His plans for your future: amazing plans, starting in this life and continuing on into eternity. Remember He makes His burden light (Matthew 11:30).

He will give you strength to carry through to the end the future He has intended for you. Trust Him.

I pray for you in this journey. I pray God fills your days with the knowledge of His presence, peace, and His victory during the battle. May He bless you and remind you daily that you are not alone and are deeply loved.

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:1–2) 

Sara is the author of The Bald-Headed, Tattooed,Motorcycle Mama’s Devotional Guide for Cancer Warriors & the People Who Love Them, and her new book, EverydayJesus. Both books are available at Amazon.com, the Marketplace on Chestnut, or may be ordered from your favorite bookstore.

Excerpted from The Bald-Headed, Tattooed, Motorcycle Mama’s Devotional Guide ©2013 by Sara Nelson O’Brien.

All photos courtesy of pixabay.com