Footsteps in the Sand

It sure is nice having 3 sisters.  Especially when you hear news like “The cancer’s back.”  That’s what we heard yesterday.

It’s nice to be living close to God and focused on “His will not mine” when you hear news like “It has spread.”

It’s nice to see God’s hand in your life when news like this puts your day on a new schedule than the one you had thought you would have.

These are the thoughts that came to me this morning as I look back on my day yesterday.  The day really began with texts and phone calls between my sisters and I as we began getting results back from the CT to see what was causing the pain.  It soon became apparent that the cancer was probably back and that someone needed to be there when the doctor relayed this information to Mom.

Let me give you some background.  I have 3 wonderfully, different sisters.  We all have our own God-given personalities, lives, talents, and strengths.  And these have served us well during past illnesses and trials, as we have supported each other.  During Mom’s current illnesses, our separate personalities have really come in to play-sometimes with a vengence.  Some of us are good at doctor’s information (collecting it, relaying it).  Some of us are good at facility research. Some of us have been called on to coordinate insurance and physical treatment and care.  Some of us have been good at communication with a large family.  Some are good at pushing Mom to work hard (you know—being bossy!).  Some are good at cheerleading (you know—come on, one more time, you can do it!)  Some know what to say, some know what to bring.  None of us are good at all of it!  For us it takes a village!

I’m amazed at those who are only children.  We watched my Mom have to fill all of these roles for her Mom (my grandmother) when the time came to be caregiver and supporter.  I have watched friends do it gracefully on a daily basis.  And it just makes me appreciate the stepping stones that God planted half a decade ago, when my Mom and Dad began having children.  He knew already what this journey would take. 

And He continues to plant those stones right up to yesterday’s needs.  Let me continue to fill you in….

Consider that I was scheduled to keep a friend’s child this weekend while she went to a conference.  Consider “said conference” was cancelled. (I was totally disappointed to not get my weekend with one of my favorite 3 year olds!), but it freed my weekend and made sure my friend was here as well for my support.

Consider that a dear friend and her husband had recently felt the Holy Spirit put me and my family upon her heart and had felt called to give me a gas card to lighten the burden of rising gas prices and driving over an hour to visit. I had shared with some that I was mostly phone visiting with my mom and she had picked-up on the need for a physical visit.  Consider my feeling of elation and praise when I used it yesterday and realized first, that gas prices had dropped a few cents and second, that this gas card was substantial and would cover more than one visit, which yesterday’s news was calling me to visit as much as possible!!

Consider my younger sister’s frustration as she was relaying the news to us all and considering how to get someone there to be with Mom when the doctor could be there.  It looked like this needed to be yesterday.  Schedules seemed to be totally full….until she called me, third in line.  Consider her relief as I told her that I had a teacher’s workday—no students, no sub to arrange for, and an early faculty meeting along with a great administration that would support me working from home.

Consider that when I got the call yesterday morning, confirming that the meeting was set and the diagnosis was recurring and spreading cancer, and I was just trying to hold it together and continue to work by printing some labels, my friends (no—my sisters in Christ) began to appear around the printer.  It was obvious which ones God intended to be there as I broke down and poured out my heart and they stood around me and picked up the pieces and held them for me in their dear hands as we cried, talked and ultimately (and I mean ULTIMATELY) prayed.

Consider the clarity I had in looking over these stepping stones and in knowing that it was my turn with Mom-that my personality, talents, and strengths were what was needed this time.  Consider the honor that I felt that He had once again called me and trusted me in doing something difficult and important and that He would was again provide me with the support and strength to do it.

My God is an awesome God.  He provides.  He goes before me and makes a path before me.  He is my strength.  I dare anyone to try to convince me otherwise.

God and I had a great laugh this morning, as I thought through all these events.  I hope you know the poem Footprints in the Sand by Mary Stevenson.  It has always been a comfort to me in times like I’m going through right now.  If you are not familiar with it, please read it first to understand the following image---

This morning I looked back to see yesterday’s footprints,

And I saw not two sets---

BUT MANY, MANY, MANY SETS!!!!!

Of those who carried me because of the call in their hearts that was put there by the Holy One!!!

If you were one of those, I thank you from the bottom of my hollow heart for answering God’s call (even if you did not realize you were doing that!)  I’ve noticed that those who live close to God seem to be in the right place at the right time, and you were just where God needed you to be to put His plan in motion yesterday. 

To God be the glory!!!