Same Life, New Story: Jehosheba

Jehosheba

The action I most need to take in my life that will require wisdom and courage is...

To keep fighting. It takes a lot of wisdom and courage. Wisdom to know God does not make mistakes, and will carry us through whatever He brings us to. Sometimes it is hard to TRUST, but it's what I have to do!

Courage has been a part of this journey since the beginning. Sometimes it is hard to be courageous and upbeat. I have learned it is OK to have moments and cry when I need to. Cause sometimes it is very overwhelming on the mind. Those are the times where trust comes in.

Same Life, New Story: Hannah

Hannah

The constant drama in my life centers around cancer (who?), and I can begin to delete that destructive drama by...

My entry today is not about a person like Hannah had to deal with (though I have encountered such people in my life and had to rid myself and life of them).

My current drama comes from cancer. As I have wrote about in a past blog; I found out just before Thanksgiving and began treatment the week of Christmas. So, as you may expect, the holidays last year were tough. I did not feel like myself and can honestly say I did not enjoy them like I wanted to because I was too busy having thoughts of "What if..." How could I not?!?

Cancer brings drama with it just the same as a person who is not happy with his/her life.

How?

• It does not care about you!
• Causes intense pain, requiring strong meds.
• Also known to cause blood clots.
• Extreme tiredness and fatigue.
• Nausea.
• Low WBC counts (low immunity).
• Numerous tests.
• Harsh treatments (chemo and/or radiation).

A person who is always unhappy will always try to bring another down. Cancer has tried to bring me down and steal my joy to no avail. Instead, it has created my greatest joy; living and loving life! 

Unlike toxic people, I cannot delete cancer from my life. I have had to learn to trust God's will through this and just know He is in control. That has not always been easy because there are parts of this journey that I will never understand, and that is okay. Just like we don't always understand people like Penninah.

But, it is our job to be strong and stand up against those who think they can tear us down. God instilled in me a strong power to fight and make it.

Always have. Always will.

Same Life, New Story: Deborah

Deborah

The biggest "I can't" in my life that I want to change to an "I can" is...

Fighting cancer. There are some days I wish I did not know. But that seems unfair to others, and I would not appreciate life the way I do. I am thankful for that because it has brought me great joy. I make the best of every day even when I do not feel good, because I can.

Each day is an opportunity, the choice is ours as to what we do with it. 

The same is true with my cancer journey. I can be sad and bahumbug about it, or I can not let it drag me down and be a light for others. I chose the latter when I found out about my cancer because I didn't want others feeling sorry for me and showing pity. I think I do fairly well at keeping a "Can do" attitude. It is very important to keep good positive company to ensure that as well. Having "I can't, I don't want to" days happen, but we must not let them take over our story.

"God uses the unlikely to accomplish the impossible." ~ Jan Silvious

Same Life, New Story: Leah

Leah

I would like to change the theme of my life because...

I want people to see a true change in me. I also do not want to feel like I am trying to ride both sides of the fence either. You see, before I decided to fully give up control of my life, (and I struggle still for Him to have control daily)... I was living two different ways. I would spend the week making plans to see a band in a bar on Friday or Saturday and then get up and go to church on Sunday. I lived this way for two years. Finally, I woke up one day and knew I had a choice to make. I had to live one way or the other. I chose to quit going to bars, and to start reading the Bible. I also became active in church. I had wanted this for a long time, but would not allow myself to let go. I still wanted to do what I thought was fun and enjoyable. I soon found out the fun and joy of those late nights were not memories that would be worth talking about for years to come. They were just fun for that time.

When I began to let God have control I started to notice a change in myself and my relationships with others. I have become a much happier person. I have experienced things over the last year that are memories worth talking about. I have made many a new friend through church, and love that we can talk about Jesus and what He has done in our lives.

Having Jesus in my life has made this cancer journey a more joyous time in my life. i know it would be totally different without Him! It would be a dark and lonely road.

It is my hope that my light for Christ shines bright and He can be seen through me. I want His joy to be the theme of my life. In a way, I guess you could say joy has been the theme of my life since this journey began. I've even said, I am one of the happiest people I know with cancer, and I intend to stay that way to the best of my ability throughout this journey!

Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

Same Life, New Story: Naomi

Same Life New Story (SLNS) by Jan Sillvious is a 10 week Bible Study for women the ladies at Birchwood Baptist are currently reading. A dear friend kindly bought the book for me so I could read and study/journal along with them. So far I love this book and the journaling that goes with it, and I am glad to share it here as well! I hope you enjoy!!

Naomi

I know the time has come in my life for me to leave my old story behind and begin a new one because...

The Lord got my attention with a quickness and shook me to my core. On November 23, 2015 I was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer. When I heard the words and really let them sink in, my mind went numb for a few moments. Just like everyone else I did not want to believe it. However, I knew I was going to have to be strong and positive, not just for me but my family too.

So, I quickly adopted the phrase and mental-knowing that God goes before me. He knew this was going to take place in my life and He does not give us more than we can handle. He gave me a strong will for a reason, and this just happens to be one of them.

Unlike Naomi, who turned bitter and angry with God; I have let this chapter become one of great joy in Him. I know He is working in me. He is reaching others through this and I have learned to enjoy and appreciate every moment of life!!

Do not be afraid or discouraged for he Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail nor abandon you. Deut. 31:8