God is Present in Every Circumstance by Lynn Dove

I was going to Aquacise three times a week in preparation for swimsuit weather in the summer.  This was going to be the year I was finally going to take charge of my increasing waistline, get in better shape and become much more active.  That’s not to say I wasn’t active before, but I thought starting my 6^th decade, it was time to think about the retirement years coming up and I was in such serious denial about it, I wanted to push the hands of time backward a bit!  I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions, but I felt duly motivated to get a membership in January to our local sports centre and faithfully began swimming three times a week.  I was winning the bulge battle and I was feeling great…until the first week of April.

I didn’t understand why I wasn’t dropping weight.  In fact, I was actually starting to feel uncomfortably rotund in the tummy region.  The ballooning bulge became more and more burdensome; I wondered if there was some kind of obstruction, and within two weeks of experiencing pain and discomfort I reluctantly called my family doctor.  Within days of that meeting with the doctor, I had an ultra-sound, a CT scan, and was booked to visit a surgical oncologist at the Tom Baker Cancer centre in Calgary. 

To say I was shocked by this turn of events was a vast understatement.  I had been cancer-free for just about nineteen years, after breast cancer in 2001.  Now I was facing another cancer diagnosis, with the discovery of a large fast-growing mass on my right ovary.  With my past health history, everything seemed to be fast tracked for me to get in to see doctors, finally ending with extensive surgery to remove the mass on May 13^th. 

Where was God in this?

He was EVERYWHERE!

I had no way of knowing what these last few weeks (and the months ahead) would hold in store for me but God did.  Being prone to blood clotting issues, I needed to be in good shape to endure the rigours of surgery and to be able to heal quickly afterwards.  God used a friend to nudge me into going with her to an Aquacise class in early January.  It was so much fun and kick-started my fitness goals that helped strengthen my body and made me stay the course right up until April.  Doctors said it was “remarkable” how quickly I have bounced back from surgery.  I credit some of that to the months of exercise leading up to surgery.  Who knew?  God did!

When my discomfort began, I was ready to just chalk it up to normal aches and pains associated with working out harder than I had before, but when the pain persisted, I prayed for direction and felt prompted to call my doctor.  As much as I thought the wait was a long and excruciating one to get in to see doctors and finally undergo surgery, it was just over six weeks in total.  That’s pretty quick in the health-care scheme of things!  Through that waiting time, the Lord spoke to me through His Word daily.  He gave me peace in the midst of uncertainty and laid on the hearts of so many people to pray for me.  The prayers continue!

One of my biggest disappointments was having to cancel our 40^th Anniversary cruise.  I actually wrote about my excitement leading up to that cruise on the InScribe blog in March.  “We've had our share of many peaceful cruises on life's ocean, intermingled with some unexpected tidal surges and rough waves over these past forty years.  Still, we keep walking hand in hand, looking forward, full speed ahead, our eyes focused on the horizon and praying for calm waters in the years ahead.” I had no way of knowing when I wrote that post that another storm surge was coming up for us so soon, but God did!  My husband had been pro-active in getting trip insurance and all the costs were covered so we could recoup all monies spent.  I was still upset about not going on this “trip of a lifetime” but then we started to think about the “what ifs?”

What if I had gotten sick overseas?  What if I had to be admitted to hospital in Rome?  The more we added up the “what ifs?” the more we praised God for His impeccable timing.  Here at home, I got the medical help exactly when I needed it!  Had I elected to set sail and ignore the nagging symptoms rather than seek help when I did, well, that’s a “what if?” I don’t like to ponder upon right now. 

Of course, I have experienced my share of “down” days during the waiting period leading up to surgery.  I will no doubt experience more lows in the weeks and months ahead as I come to terms with a new cancer diagnosis.  There were times before my surgery when I felt disheartened and too weak and vulnerable to move, let alone to write.  I specifically asked friends to pray, and I felt those prayers envelope me like a warm hug.  On one such day, I asked God to encourage me and within hours I learned I was up for two Word Awards that celebrates Christian writing in Canada.  It was such a timely encouragement for me that it instantly propelled me out of my emotional doldrums, and has revitalized me in ways I never imagined.  (I have gotten clearance by my doctor to fly so I am able to attend the Gala in Hamilton.  I am beyond excited to be there!")

God has surrounded me with caring individuals who have fed us and even cleaned my home!  I am so thankful for those practical ministrations that allow me to rest and recover.  I am thankful for an army of prayer warriors who lift me before the Lord daily.  I will have challenging times in the weeks or months ahead, but I know God is with me.  He never leaves me or forsakes me, and I can trust Him in every circumstance!

Lynn Dove is the award-winning author, of the YA “Wounded Trilogy”- a contemporary Christian fiction series with coming-of-age themes.  A wife, mom, grandmother, and free-lance writer with articles published in several magazines and anthologies including Chicken Soup for the Soul books, her blog, “Journey Thoughts” is a Canadian Christian Writing Award winner.  Readers may connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and at lynndove.com  

The Providential Hand of God by Nina Faye Morey

This month’s blog theme, “God’s Connecting Points,” brought to mind several key turning points in my life when I’ve felt God’s hand guiding me. Another word for “serendipity” is “providence,” which means that God intervenes in our lives when we’re in need of divine direction, physical protection, or spiritual care. Because He’s all knowing and all powerful, He’s aware of everything that’s happening in our lives. He knows our heart’s every desire, and He’s eager to answer our prayers. He willingly and lovingly cares and provides for us. He knows His purpose for our lives and wants to help us succeed. Every microscopic detail of our lives is under His control. Since we have such a providential and faithful Father, we should always remember to thank Him when we prosper, patiently wait on Him in the face of adversity, have confidence in Him when we falter, and trust that He has good plans in store for our future.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to his purpose.

~ Romans 8:28

Even when our lives seem chaotic and out of control, we can still be assured that God’s watching over us. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I felt my world was falling apart and my life would soon be over. I grieved because I thought I’d never be able to do all the things I’d planned. But I never stopped praying, and God faithfully answered my prayers for healing. I’m now a five-year cancer survivor, and I hope He’s not done with me yet.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.”

~ Jeremiah 29:11

During my chemotherapy treatments, my immunity dipped so low I was even afraid to attend church. I still distastefully recall the daily shots I received to boost my immunity. On top of all this, I was allergic to one of my medications and developed a nasty, red, itchy rash! But God was there for me through all of this. He led me to watch religions programs like “The Living Truth” and “Joyce Meyer” on television. I found comfort through their teachings and scribbled down notes whenever a sermon moved me. I found many of these notes useful in my writing. Whenever I wanted to use scripture to illustrate a point, God’s finger pointed me to just the right verse in my Bible.

I first committed my writing to God, when He led me to 1 Corinthians 12, regarding the gifts given by the Holy Spirit. I felt I was being guided to use my writing ability to bless others. Since then, God’s led me to write about topics, like my cancer, that I would never have considered otherwise. Things I’ve had first-hand experience with that might help others to deal with these issues. The Holy Spirit has definitely been at work in my life. He’s a trustworthy mentor who’s helped me use my words to help, inspire, and comfort others.

Later, when I was feeling stuck in my writing career, God led me to InScribe through a local writing group (HisImprint). When it disbanded, that was His cue for me to get more involved with InScribe. Then I started to think about editing, and God sent Sheila Webster to my doorstep with an offer to become FellowScript’s columns editor and, subsequently, editor-in-chief. Once again, signs of God’s providential hand guiding me towards good things and a glorious future.

Photo Credit: Nina Faye Morey