is not our own.
My mother in law, Cindy, has been living with cancer for over 3 years and it has just spread to her brain. Is your first reaction, "oh, poor Cindy" or "that's so sad?" Probably. Why wouldn't it be? It is sad. But what if we look beyond that? I have known Cindy for almost 5 years. Even before I met her, Aaron told me so much about her and of her incredible faith and devotion to God. Everything Aaron described has been affirmed time and again as I have gotten to know her more. She has such spiritual insight and lives as an example to so many others.
The most recent news of cancer on her brain brought Aaron, Alex and I to make a sudden trip to Denver. Cindy was in Illinois visiting friends when she learned of the reason for her headaches, nausea and vomiting. Doctors advised her not to travel back to Colorado, but instead to undergo surgery in Illinois. Most people would do exactly as the doctor instructed, fearing further suffering or death. Cindy heard the doctor's suggestion, but turned to her heavenly Father for the ultimate instruction.
We arrived in Denver early Monday morning, enjoyed some time at the airport and met Cindy at her arrival gate around 12:00. I was nervous about the state that she would be in, after all, she has brain cancer and that can't look pretty. Much to my suprise, through the jet bridge walked Cindy. Cindy, just as I know her. Looking better than ever, brain cancer and all. She greeted us in her high pitched, familar voice and gave a look as to say, "what's all the fuss about?" Aaron instructed her to get into a wheel chair. She almost refused, but probably understood Aaron's concern and decided to go with the flow.
The week went on as we spent time sitting at the kitchen table, talking, laughing, watching Alex entertain. The time was spent with so much more purpose, intent, appreciation. We also had the opportunity to meet and spend time with the fabulous neighbors. Cindy and Mike have talked so much about the incredible network of friends that they've met since moving to Fox Hill. Meeting them revealed how significant they truly are in Mike and Cindy's lives. Those friends and neighbors will tell a different story and they did as each of them brought meals and came to say hello. They shared with us how much Cindy has impacted their lives.
These neighbors all meet for bible study weekly. We can probably appreciate the things that come out in a bible study...real people, being real and seeking Godly support from Godly people. In other words, people sharing their junk. At these meetings, I can only imagine how God has used Cindy to speak to her friends offering support, prophetic words, a smile, a hug. She is an example of what God wants in us as Christ followers. He wants to use us as a light unto others, as salt on the earth. He wants to use us to bring others to Him.
I KNOW that many people have seen the love, mercy, grace, comfort, forgiveness of God because of Cindy. He has a purpose for her life and she is living that purpose every day. She knows that her life is not her own. It is God's. And when the day comes for her life on earth to end, she has the comfort and joy of knowing that she will meet her marvelous maker and that he will greet her with open arms and say to her, "well done my faithful servant."
My mother in law, Cindy, has been living with cancer for over 3 years and it has just spread to her brain. Is your first reaction, "oh, poor Cindy" or "that's so sad?" Probably. Why wouldn't it be? It is sad. But what if we look beyond that? I have known Cindy for almost 5 years. Even before I met her, Aaron told me so much about her and of her incredible faith and devotion to God. Everything Aaron described has been affirmed time and again as I have gotten to know her more. She has such spiritual insight and lives as an example to so many others.
The most recent news of cancer on her brain brought Aaron, Alex and I to make a sudden trip to Denver. Cindy was in Illinois visiting friends when she learned of the reason for her headaches, nausea and vomiting. Doctors advised her not to travel back to Colorado, but instead to undergo surgery in Illinois. Most people would do exactly as the doctor instructed, fearing further suffering or death. Cindy heard the doctor's suggestion, but turned to her heavenly Father for the ultimate instruction.
We arrived in Denver early Monday morning, enjoyed some time at the airport and met Cindy at her arrival gate around 12:00. I was nervous about the state that she would be in, after all, she has brain cancer and that can't look pretty. Much to my suprise, through the jet bridge walked Cindy. Cindy, just as I know her. Looking better than ever, brain cancer and all. She greeted us in her high pitched, familar voice and gave a look as to say, "what's all the fuss about?" Aaron instructed her to get into a wheel chair. She almost refused, but probably understood Aaron's concern and decided to go with the flow.
The week went on as we spent time sitting at the kitchen table, talking, laughing, watching Alex entertain. The time was spent with so much more purpose, intent, appreciation. We also had the opportunity to meet and spend time with the fabulous neighbors. Cindy and Mike have talked so much about the incredible network of friends that they've met since moving to Fox Hill. Meeting them revealed how significant they truly are in Mike and Cindy's lives. Those friends and neighbors will tell a different story and they did as each of them brought meals and came to say hello. They shared with us how much Cindy has impacted their lives.
These neighbors all meet for bible study weekly. We can probably appreciate the things that come out in a bible study...real people, being real and seeking Godly support from Godly people. In other words, people sharing their junk. At these meetings, I can only imagine how God has used Cindy to speak to her friends offering support, prophetic words, a smile, a hug. She is an example of what God wants in us as Christ followers. He wants to use us as a light unto others, as salt on the earth. He wants to use us to bring others to Him.
I KNOW that many people have seen the love, mercy, grace, comfort, forgiveness of God because of Cindy. He has a purpose for her life and she is living that purpose every day. She knows that her life is not her own. It is God's. And when the day comes for her life on earth to end, she has the comfort and joy of knowing that she will meet her marvelous maker and that he will greet her with open arms and say to her, "well done my faithful servant."
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