What a Crisis Reveals...

What a Crisis Reveals
A crisis is defined as a “turning point; a crucial situation.” Being diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer last year constituted a crisis in my life! Not having any family history of the disease, it caught me off guard. It was an interruption to my well laid out plans for the year; my life.  It lead me into unknown territory.  But through it all, I came out enlightened; with strengthened faith in God, others and myself.

I came across a quote by Oswald Chambers that summarized my crisis experience.  He says, It’s not the crisis that builds something within us – it simply reveals what we are made of already. I considered myself someone who was able to withstand a challenge – but often times in my own strength. One of the many things you lose during cancer treatment is your strength.  It was during this time of physical and emotional weakness that what I was made of was revealed.  I was reminded of three important facts:

 

God’s Promises are Personal
I love the Psalms; they seem so personal to their authors. But I never personalized them for myself until I needed to cling to hope. In times of crisis, you need to claim these verses as truth. One of my favorite promises is from Psalm 46:1-3:

God is our (my) refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we (I) will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

 

God’s Presence is Permanent
I know that God is always with me; watching over me; protecting me. But that knowledge was revealed to me during my time of greatest weakness. I knew I was never alone, even though I was in physical pain. God was by my side going through it with me – not necessarily taking it away. 2 Timothy 4:17a is a great reminder of this truth:

But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength…

 

God’s Peace is Perfect
I’ll be honest, at times this was the hardest truth to believe. A crisis stirs up many emotions, and if dwelt on, can actually intensify the side effects. Worry, anxiety, “what if?” “why me?” doubts, fears, etc. We cannot create peace within ourselves – it’s just not natural. Only God’s peace is perfect and that’s what we must dwell on. Isaiah 26:3 reminds us of this:

You (God) will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

What did my cancer crisis reveal to me? It showed me what I was made of. It revealed that my faith was stronger than I thought. It confirmed that I can’t do much in my own strength and peace can only come from God.

Whether your crisis is/ will be physical, financial, spiritual or personal – allow it to be a turning point. Turning you to God’s personal promises, permanent presence and perfect peace.

Finally....An Answer to "What's Next?"

It's been a year since I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer and began nine months of chemo and radiation treatments. In the months since my last radiation, I, along with many well-meaning friends/family have asked, "So what's next for you?"  At times, this was very upsetting because I didn't have an answer. God was not showing me (in BOLD print) what He wanted me to do with my experience. Knowing patience is not one of my more dominant virtues, He decided it was time to develop that even more!

It was through this time of "character development", that it became more clear on the direction He wanted me to go - actually a continuation of what I've been trying to do for years - encourage other women. My cousin, Sharon, had also been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 and was struggling with the same questions. She has a great talent for capturing God's creation through photography. (Sharon Surman Photography) We both felt God leading us to do something together that would help other women in cancer treatment feel loved, supported and encouraged.

That's when the idea for Prayer Postcards started. Using our gifts and talents, we've put together a set of 6 cards using her beautiful photos and my attempt of writing personal prayers. These words reflect the many feelings I went through during treatment - fear, anxiety, discouragement, loneliness, etc. and includes scripture verses, space for a hand-written note and address.  Our goal is to get these into the hands of as many women as possible to give them the much needed hope and encouragement during a dark and difficult time.

If you personally know of someone going through a time of trial or your church has a card ministry, please consider ordering a set ($10 for 6). You may get them for yourself to send individually or we will mail the set directly, along with a personal note from you, to your someone special!

10% of every order goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation!

To see more of our story, read the personal prayers and to order, click HERE!  We appreciate your support more than you'll ever realize.  Tonia and Sharon :)

What Season Are You In?

According to the calendar, we are entering into the summer season - a season many of us thought would never come after such a loonnnggg and cold winter! But what about the season of your life? I have recently realized that I am entering a new season. What once was, is no more. Do I know what this season will include? No. But it is here none the less.

I am a huge fan of life coach, Valorie Burton. Her writings encourage me and I want to share her recent blog on this very subject. I hope you will be blessed by her words as well.  Tonia

Dear Friends,

 

You and I probably both agree that wearing a wool coat in July or shorts and flip flops in a snow storm would be downright silly. Folks might even question the state of your mental health for that kind of behavior. But something odd seems to happen when we are impatient. Learning to relax in the current season, while still preparing for the next season, takes trust, patience and wisdom. If the season you're in professionally is about learning and growing so that you can build a foundation for the future, don't miss this rich season being frustrated that the future isn't here yet. If you do, you'll miss the abundant lessons being offered and you may even miss the opportunities that will unfold after you learn those lessons. If this is the season for you to work hard and play hard because you're blessed to have the time to do it, don't sit back, relax and take it easy. Missing this season could mean you're totally unprepared when the next season comes.

 

Know your season. Dress for it. Embrace it. It can save you a great deal of anxiety and frustration. Why do we often insist on a season other than the one we are in, pushing to get out of it, and on with the next thing? It is often because we don't trust the process. We think God must not be clued in to our lives and we need to help Him along. We don't value that progress is a process - and it's not always a quick, convenient process either. But when you really trust that God has you in the palm of His hand, you can relax even in the stormiest of seasons. You know it's temporary. Seasons always are. Some are longer than others, but eventually seasons change.

 

In what way are you dressed for a season other than the one you're in? In what way are you insisting things be different in order for you to happy? In what way are you showing up in a wool coat in the heat of summer? It might not be the season for you to spend much. This season may be about saving and self-control. This may not be the season for a relationship. Perhaps God is calling you to heal and be still in His presence before you jump into another romance. I don't know what this message means for your life, but you do. Embrace your season. Each one has a purpose. Each one is to be celebrated for its own reasons. Refuse to judge your season. Simply be determined to glean the lesson from it.

 

Valorie

What's Next?

Good Afternoon,

I know it's been awhile since I've communicated with many of you and wanted to give you an update. I finished chemo in January, had my liver ablation in February and finished 33 rounds of radiation in April. My husband and I just returned from a sunny and relaxing trip to FL - just what we needed after such a loonnnggg and coolllddd MI winter!

I started the anti-hormone pill this week and will be on this for the next 5 years. I have a follow-up CT on my liver next week (5/9) to make sure the tumor has been taken care of with the ablation. Then a mammogram in June - marking the one year anniversary of this adventure. I want to thank you again for all your prayers and words of encouragement. It has meant so much to me and my family.

So what's next for me? That seems to be the question most asked of me these days! I wish I knew :) I do not have another book in the works. I don't have any speaking engagements scheduled. I'm not teaching any classes or studies. To be honest with you, I don't have much desire to do what I was doing a year ago.

Is that a bad thing? I go back and forth with that, but I do believe God has something planned.....I just don't know what it looks like right now. I hear my own words in my head saying that "God never wastes a hurt or painful experience." "The things we go through prepare us to better help and relate to others".....etc.

As God knows how much I am struggling with what's next, He sent a message to me this morning via the Blueprint for Life blog entitled Stuck In-Between. I've provided the link for you to read and/or pass on to someone who needs an encouraging word.

 So...when I move from this stuck place, you'll be the second to know. So until then, enjoy today!

Tonia

Do Not Be Afraid!

I hope your New Year is off to a great start! We recently returned from our vacation in Hawaii : ) It was a relaxing and fun time with our family....Not so much fun returning to our MI winter though!

I want to thank you again for all your prayers and support and give you the latest update. I finished chemo on Jan 2 and have been slowly regaining my strength, appetite :( and even some hair!

On Monday, Feb. 17, I will have the procedure done on  the tumor on my liver. (It's called cryoablation for those who may want to research it! ) They basically freeze and kill the cancer cells so that they can no longer grow and spread. 

I will begin radiation on Weds. Feb 19 - 5 days a week for 6 weeks. The main side effect of this is more fatigue..but I'm pretty much adjusted to this by now! I still plan most of my errands and activities in the morning so I can be home when I crash @3pm!

My word for the year is Courage and one of my favorite verses is Joshua 1:9 - "Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Take Care - Tonia