What Cancer Can Do........

I got a glimpse in to another friend's cancer journey this week.  It was unexpected, and it moved me and  made me think. A lot.  With a year consumed by this disease,  I can't help but think about cancer, but as my friend shared and what I'm learning is that perspective plays a huge part in how I think about and walk this journey.

I've read so many encouraging words about what cancer cannot do and some great and insightful things that have truly blessed and helped me.  Hearing these stories and reading these words is incredibly uplifting.  Today however, I wanted to share a slightly different perspective about what cancer can do.

What Cancer Can Do ......

• Give me the opportunity to form new, lasting and deep friendships which may otherwise never have happened.
• Give me a new appreciation of surgeons and medical teams who work tirelessly to save lives, heal and restore broken hearts and bodies and find new ways to tackle this disease.
• Bring a community together in support and solidarity for a cause.
• Gives me the privilege to share another person's insight and journey and with that comes the gift of incredible inspiration.
• Bring a deeper relationship with God.
• Makes me realize the "bad stuff" really isn't that bad at all.
• Helps me stop worrying about the "small stuff"
• Helps me pick up the phone, email, pause long enough to chat with friends.  The I'll do it later mentality gets replaced with, I'll do that now!
• Gives me a nudge and reminder to live in the moment, for the moment. Take pauses to notice the little things and grow a new appreciation of the marvel of the world.
• Makes me realize I'm truly blessed to be able to hold and hug my children each and every day.
• Give me a new innovative approach in getting children to eat.
• Heals rifts in relationships.
• Change perspective.
• Gives me a grateful heart.
• Gives me the opportunity to witness both friends and strangers in selfless acts of kindness
• Brings out the best in people

I have been thinking about this for a day or two and I think the list will be added to. What occurs to me is the grace, beautifully given by God and extended by others. Cancer can be a platform for so much of God's blessing with provision made and every need met.

So heartfelt thank you to those willing to share your journey with us.  As we unwrap the gifts this Christmas, once more I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who have helped us along the way.  Knowing how friends and strangers spend time praying us on our way, giving freely their time and resources to help during this year and this journey has been such a gift to us all. Thank you sincerely for taking the time to think and care about Jasmine on her journey and might we ask that you continue to pray for her and her continued strength and recovery in to the New Year.  Thank you!