To Shine Like Gold

"He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside." -  Job 23:10-11
  
How we long for this to be our true confession. God wants us to shine like gold.   We are not yet gold, but long to be.  The refining process is a work in progress.    We are not yet fully following his steps, but we are trying.    We try to not turn aside, but we sometimes falter.  I am thankful for God's grace until our intentions and desires are fulfilled in our walk with Him!

O Lord, I confess my sin and my inadequacy in following your paths. Forgive me as I recommit my life to serve you in holiness and joy. Thank you for your grace which covers my sin and perfects in me the character of Jesus.  Amen.

"The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want." Psalm 23:1

In ancient times, when this psalm was written, those who heard these words would have instinctively known how significant the image of a shepherd was.  A shepherd would protect and guide his sheep.  A shepherd would lift them from dangerous places and carry them when they could not walk themselves.  A shepherd would literally put himself between a dangerous predator and his sheep, placing himself in harm’s way for them.  A shepherd’s job was to make certain that no sheep would be lost and that every one would make it back home safely.  God is like a shepherd.  God will do anything for us to help and save us.  God wants none of us to be harmed or lost.  With this kind of God we will not lack anything we need, no matter how hard the journey.

With you as my shepherd, caring God, I am reminded that I need never be lost.  When I find myself confused and feeling alone, not certain which way to go, not sure if there is any hope, you come to carry and protect me.  I am much better for that.  Amen.

Wow, another month has flown by and I haven't posted in a while.

Life has been challenging lately.   In the past month I've dealt with kidney stones and a UTI.   I got over that and two weeks later I had a bladder infection.   Those were pretty tough because in the midst of it all, I was reliving what happened last year this same time.  I found myself really struggling to fight off being depressed on top of being sick with the infections.   I had to take two rounds of antibiotics so that made my irritable bowel syndrome flare up.   I felt like I was getting knocked down every time I could stand up.   I finally relented and asked for prayer.   I knew I couldn't pull myself out of the depths of depression without God and my faithful prayer warriors.   God always knows who we need to have for strength and support.   We can count on Him supplying people in real life who will love us and pray us through the storms of life.    He is faithful like that.  :-)

I had my regular followup appointment with my oncologist.   He continues to be pleased with my progress.   He spoke words of life and truth to me that day straight from the Lord.   I had shared with him the past two months of trials and frustrations.   He was very comforting as well as encouraging.   I felt much better having talked to him and getting some new perspective on life.

So, I am pressing on, moving forward, step by step, walking by faith, trusting in Him and His plan for our lives.   I'm so glad He is in control and that I don't have to worry about the "what ifs".   I'm so glad I can cast those onto Him.   All He desires is for me to spend time with Him, seeking His direction, getting to know Him better, trusting in Him, and walking by faith.

May our days be filled with joy as we seek after Him -

Molly

Walking through dark moments

This journey I'm on is not an easy one.   Ever since I announced that my tumor has shrunk to 1/2 inch the end of December, the enemy has been on my heels.   I've been dealing with kidney stones and inflamed diverticuli.   I've struggled with depression.   It's so hard to fight this fight when you don't feel good.   I've struggled this whole month because it's the month I found out about my cancer last year.   Yes, God has been good and so very faithful.   He has been my strength and seen me/us through last year.   I think it's stirred up a mixed bag of emotions.   I've seen his hand move in my life in mighty ways, ways I've never experienced before and that is overwhelming in itself.   He has answered so many prayers and yet, I am still afraid of what the future holds.   I've struggled with fear and anxiety this month.   I don't want anyone who reads this blog to think it's all been easy.   This is HARD!   My family is affected daily by all of this.   Our lives have been turned upside down.   Our routines and schedules aren't what they were a year ago.   Nothing is the same here.   It's all a "new normal".   I've struggled with my perspective on all of this lately.   I must choose to keep my focus on Jesus, and right now, that is minute by minute.    I can't look to the left or the right.   He knows what I can handle even when I don't.   I'm so glad He already knows all this about me and knows how to help me as I cry out to Him.

Sharing from the heart,

Molly

Great is Thy Faithfulness

As I reflect over the past year, I am pondering of all the ways God has blessed me.   There have been many difficult days this past year, but He was with me through each hard step along the way.  He was with me in the good steps as well.  I'm reminded of the hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" and all that I have to be grateful for of my Heavenly Father.  No matter what goes on in our lives, He is always there, ever faithful. He keeps His promises to us. He promises that He “will never fail you or abandon you” (Heb. 13:5b). And He continuously provides for our needs, both great and small.   Reflect on the words of this hymn and give thanks for all that He has done in your life in the past year.


Great is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;

As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Refrain

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!


Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.


Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!


Blessings,

Molly

I heard from the radiologist this afternoon.....

The report shows that the tissue in question is indeed healing tissue and not tissue that is spreading. This is wonderful news!!!!!!!! He also commented that there were a few lesions in the right lung and they are almost non existent! We'll stay the course and hope that the next CT scan shows even better results. Needless to say, we're all doing the happy dance at our house! Praise God with us!


Living with hope,

Molly

As I reflect on the past year and look forward to the New Year.....

… that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
 ~ Isaiah 63:7c

Today on this last day of this year as I reflect on how generous God has been and is to us. As we look back on the year and all that’s happened to us, there are lots of mixed feelings.  We've had our struggles and fears.   We've had heartache and pain.  We have been touched with rest and relief; as well as moments of joy and comfort too. While it’s easy to focus on what has gone wrong, we must refocus on what has gone right. God has joined us and is accompanying us on this journey.  He understands our distress.  He is bringing help in every moment of need.  This is cause for celebration and relief!

As this year closes and another is about to begin, help me Lord to not  focus just on what has been hard for me. Instead help me find  encouragement and hope in recounting all that has blessed and uplifted me this year. There are more blessings than I can say. Thank you, O God. Amen.