Deep Rivers

Deep Rivers

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Deep Rivers

When this journey began, it seemed as if we’d never get a grasp on what was before us.  It all seemed so overwhelming with too much information to handle.  The river to wide and to deep to cross with the information we had.  We’ve had to take the time to learn new terminology and to look beyond the cancer itself, to see what may lie ahead.  At first we simply wanted someone to tell us what to do, we wanted an easy answer-if we do A, then the outcome will be B.  But in reality, there is no easy answer and the choices before us are not ideal either.

Our visit to the Mayo Clinic has brought us the clarity we needed and opened our eyes to the path before us.  How wonderful God is to have prepared the way before us by allowing us time to grasp the necessary medical treatment ahead.  He has put some wonderful knowledgable doctors in our corner who have taken the time to explain our options and help us move toward a decision.  With this particular type of cancer, the best option for long-term survival is to remove my kidney and in 2 years receive a transplant.  Radical yes, but being so young(no laughing…), I hope to live many more years.  At this time, baring any complications, we would forgo chemotherapy and simply move toward removal after preparing some details with the doctors who would follow me for dialysis.  

Timing is everything and we can formulate all the plans we wish, but God’s timing has been best in this matter.  By stepping back and allowing God to go before us, we have found His timing to be so good, perfect in fact.  Between receiving opinions on diagnosis and treatment which are similar at 2 institutions and having the cancer confirmed as well, God has filled us with peace.  In addition, we are finding time to consult with another transplant center that will better fit our needs. I am reminded of what God has said:

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

We have set our hope in Jesus and believe by faith He will see us through.

There are many of you out there who are also struggling with health or family issues, I am not the first, nor will I be the last follower of Jesus who has trials in life.  For me, the key to living with those struggles is to remember Christ is in them with me.  He is in every follower of Christ through the Holy Spirit and it is the Holy Spirit who will help us to persevere, to prosper through the trial, and to give all glory to God now and when we are through to the other side.

And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.   (Romans 5:2b-5)

There is power in the name of Jesus and as we call upon Him to help us walk through this life, there is victory to be found.  Our faith will grow, our testimony will be enlarged and He will be glorified.  I believe this to my core, this is the hope upon which I rest each day.

So for me and my family, this is not what we expected at this time in our lives, but it is not news to God.  We will fully rest upon His timing to reveal and provide a donor kidney for me in the future.  That 2 year wait time may feel long, but we trust Him to see us through and we wait expectantly for Him to work on our behalf.  

The timing of my next surgery is still up in the air as we wait upon God to help us put the rest of the pieces of the puzzle together, but as we wait, we grow.  I will continue to keep you posted on my progress and I pray our journey and God’s faithfulness will encourage you to seek Him in your daily life.

I pray during this holy week, you take some extra time to marvel at the love of Christ has for you.

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4 thoughts on “Deep Rivers”

  1. Dear Julie…Through your words, you have shown so many of us the goodness in every day life, including the struggles. I read your blogs with fervor. Inspiration has been used to speak of you and not lightly….but so very true. Thank you and know that my thoughts and prayers are with you each and every day.

  2. Julie , God has blessed you with this amazing gift of encouragement through your beautiful written words. No matter what we are facing we need to Choose Joy you are a great example of that. Your prayer warriors are remembering you daily.

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