Thank you for praying for me as I’ve been battling breast cancer!
And my husband Ken and I have felt the support of your intercessions every step of the way! And the update? Well, this week I begin an 18-week regimen of chemotherapy. Yes, there will be side effects, yes, I’ll probably be nauseous and yes, I will lose my hair (my sister Kathy and I went wig shopping a couple of weeks ago), but the main thing I’m concerned about is keeping my bones strong. So I’m glad my doctor has linked me up with a nutritional/homeopathic specialist who will help me manage those side effects. But even with all this preparation, the words of Jesus in John 21 keep ringing in my head. It’s where the Lord says to Peter, “Someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Then [the Lord] said, “Follow me!” And that’s exactly what I’m doing. Although I’m being led where I do not want to go, I’m completely committed to following the Savior further onto this battlefield that involves chemotherapy.
Yes, it’s going to be a challenge on my quadriplegic body. Thankfully, I don’t own my body; God does. I’m simply his steward. That’s why Philippians 1:20 is my motto: “I eagerly expect and hope that I will… have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body.” Ken and I are energized about exalting the Lord and sharing his love (with every nurse, x-ray technician, secretary, and specialist we encounter). And believe me, friend, both Ken and I know it’s prayer that will keep me strong. It’s prayer that will keep me going. So would you please ask the Lord to strengthen my body as I start chemotherapy?
And in the same breath, pray that Ken and I will be good ambassadors for the Lord Jesus as we connect with all the nurses and specialists over at the hospital. Every time we go to another appointment, we always take lots of tracts and Joni books – it’s a great way to witness (like last week when I was at nuclear medicine, I had a great time talking with Daria, the x-ray technician – I mean, the procedure took forever, and I had more than enough time to share my entire testimony, followed up by a Joni book). So, this is how you can pray… and as you do, this is how the Lord will be glorified through my cancer and the kingdom of Christ will be advanced.
Finally, lots of people have been asking me how I can keep up such a positive attitude about all this; and mainly, it’s because I’m just convinced that the Lord (who is good and only does things for the good of my soul), I’m convinced he’s sovereign in all this. He’s in control. He’s managing every detail and he knows how it’s all going to turn out. And as I’ve said from the beginning, “God is up to something big” – now, I may not know what that big plan is at present, but I know this: I don’t want to waste this cancer… I don’t want to waste this 18-week treatment; I want God to use it for the good of my soul… I want this challenge to be a platform from which I can witness to others… and I want to join you in praying that God will use it to advance his kingdom and bring glory to the Father. So God bless you, dear friend. And my word for you today? It’s simple and straight from Psalm 115:15, “May you be blessed by the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” Oh, what a delightful and gloriously blissful Savior we enjoy serving. I pray you’ll savor each of his blessings today, great and small. And don’t forget to visit Joni’s Corner at joniandfriends.org.
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