Spring is here again. It has been just over one year since I was first diagnosed with cancer and exactly one year since I started blogging. Where has time gone? I am back at teaching at our local community college. This week I worked four half days and I love it. After I am done, I come home and nap. (Napping is still one of my favorite activities.) I knew that I had always liked my job but after not being able to work for two years I have a new appreciation for being able to do what I do. I also am blessed that I work with such positive and wonderful people. I am still undergoing treatments at the cancer hospital every three weeks. This week was treatment number 12 … only 5 more to go. Thank you dear sweet Carol for coming with me. I sincerely appreciate the wonderful visit and the distraction from my treatment.
After being through the last year, it is difficult not to feel a twinge of panic when I get strange pains. Over the past while I have become aware of the need to avoid the 'Henny-Penny' syndrome. This is where I run around crying 'the sky is falling, the sky is falling' when it is just an acorn that hit my head! My bladder bothered me for weeks until my family doctor told me that it is probably stressed and that I should be drinking cranberry juice everyday. That was a very easy fix. My legs have been achy since my last aggressive chemo regime so I came to question my doctor about bone cancer. She said that they could do another bone scan however she did not want to put my body through any unnecessary stress unless the pain began to increase. Fortunately, somewhere on the web a breast cancer patient blogged that her legs had ached for 18 months past her last chemo. Whew, thank you for sharing!! At this point I needed to remind myself that God is in control and that my worries do no good.
With the Lords guidance, I came across the following prayer written by Stormie Omartian in her book,
The Power of a Praying Woman:
“Lord, I put my future in Your hands and ask that You would give me total peace about it. I don’t want to be trying to secure my future with my own plans. I want to be in the center of Your plans, knowing that You have given me everything I need for what is ahead. I pray You would give me strength to endure without giving up. You have said that “he who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22). Help me to run the race in a way that I shall finish strong and receive the prize You have for me (1 Corinthians 9:24). Help me to be always watchful in my prayers, because I don’t know when the end of my life will be (1 Peter 4:7).
I know Your thoughts toward me are of peace, to give me a future and hope (Jeremiah 29:11). I know that You have saved me and called me with a holy calling, not according to my works, but according to Your own purpose and grace (2 Timothy 1:9). Thank you, Holy Spirit, that You are always with me and will guide me on the path so that I won’t lose my way.
Move me into powerful ministry that will impact the lives of others for Your kingdom and Your glory. I humble myself under Your mighty hand, O God, knowing that you will lift me up in due time. I cast all my care upon You, knowing that You care for me and will not let me fall (1 Peter 5:6-7). I reach out for Your hand today so I can walk with You into the future You have for me.”
This beautiful prayer is my prayer and my hope. I realize that my future is totally in God’s hands and that He is in control. I wish that He guide my life that I may do what He needs me to do. I do not know direction He will take me or when my life will end but through God I will have peace and hope. It might be strange but I do not have a need to receive ‘the prize’. Perhaps this is due to my inner avoidance of attention and notoriety. However, I do wish with God’s help to run the race the best to my ability.
I want to celebrate life and give the world a big hug because I have been given a second chance. Thank you and praise the Lord for all the love and life He has given each one of us.
PS. This picture was taken today by my sister near Portland, Oregon in her friends yard. I am currently surrounded by snow. :)
This familiar Sabbath school song is one of my favorites. I whisper prayers. Every time and anytime I have a concern or worry, I have learned to put it into God's hands. Even the smallest quietest prayer is heard. 
