I suspect you already know that.  I’m sure there are a number of you reading that are nodding your heads and saying, “Been there, done that, don’t want a repeat.”

My aunt was just diagnosed with a very rare form of Lymphoma.  She’s in the 1%, but somehow it is not the right 1%.

It’s scary and ominous, and disheartening.  It makes me say, “but why?”

I know.  I already answered my question.  “Why not?”

Cancer is no respecter of persons.  I just wish it wasn’t my aunt.  I’m sure you understand.  This is her second go-round with the ugly stuff – first time was breast cancer and she beat it.  Now it’s back for round two and it’s wearing a different mask.  It’s still a bad guy, but a different one, maybe worse.

I don’t even have the right color ribbon to wear for this one.  I know it’s not pink.

She was diagnosed today and begins chemotherapy tomorrow. Friday.  It’s fast, all too fast.  She just had a cold that wouldn’t go away, some random itching, and then she began swelling.  How can a person who was fine six or seven months ago be starting chemo tomorrow?

Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.  Proverbs 27:1

Sometimes life changes in an instant.  Other times, change is slow and steady and you can hardly see it happening.  Either way, there is hope.  Hope for my aunt and the battle ahead – hope for healing, hope for victory, hope for a miracle.

There’s hope for you too.  Thankfully there’s enough to go around, so don’t be stingy with your hope.  Pass it on.  Share it.  Sprinkle it on those around you.  Gift it this holiday season.

Be the place where hope lives.

Hope that despite the dark patches, the future is bright.

Hope that there is healing on the other side of pain.

Hope that joy comes in the morning.

Hope that tears only last for a time.

Hope that there is victory to be had.

Hope that you will be able to love again.

Hope that broken hearts will be made whole.

Hope that the sun will come out tomorrow.

Hope that you will get through your present trial.

Hope that what you do today will make a difference tomorrow.

Hope that your labor is not in vain.

Hope that your little light will shine for eternity.

Hope that people can change.

Hope that your finances will recover.

Hope that God does what He says He will do.

Hope that your faith is not blind.

Hope that life truly does go on.

H-o-p-e

 

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. – Romans 15:4

Today, I am choosing to hope and pray and love and encourage and fight alongside.

Cancer sucks and it steals a lot of good things from far too many people, but it’s just a diagnosis.  It’s just a word doctors use to explain what’s going on in people’s bodies. Each of us are all so much more than our diagnosis, even if the diagnosis is cancer.

We are sons and daughters of the one true God.

We are loved with an everlasting love.

We are victors.

We have God on our side.

We are more than conquerors.

We are forgiven, renewed, transformed.

We are joint heirs with Christ.

We are adopted.

We are of great worth and we’ve been purchased at a high price.

We are His workmanship.

We are cared for.

We are members of the body of Christ.

We are free from sin.

We are made righteous.

We have unique gifts and talents.

We are alive in Christ.

We can do all things.

We are more than our diagnosis.

Please join me in saying a prayer for Aunt Pat today.  Thank you.