Author: kreynolds+
Posted Oct 13 2012 09:37:21am
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I have a wall in front of my computer with a couple of things on it. First and foremost at the center are some verses I framed right before I started chemo. I read them often. It says:
In the KJV verse 17 reads like this "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;"
I remember reading that passage many years ago as a young wife and mother. The words jumped out at me one day. The struggles that I and my family were enduring at the present time were but for a moment. Yes, it seemed like eternity and yet in reality, it really was only one brief moment in time. I could not endure it forever but could I endure it for a moment? Yes, I could. Then I realized that if I attempted to do so in my own strength, than I would only be able to endure it for a human moment. If I did it in God's strength than I could endure it according to God's definition of a moment. Hmm...
To the left of that scripture, is a painting by my daughter-in-law. She painted an angel with two ribbons around her waist. The pink one represents a breast cancer survivor and the maroon one is for a brain aneurysm survivor. Around the angel she painted the words "faith", "trust" and "hope". This reminds me that God has brought me through tough times before and He will continue to do so. Looking at it causes me to get out the "box of photos" tucked away in my mind. I take them out one by one and remind myself of the faithfulness of God. He has never left me or forsaken me yet... and He never will.
There are three words plaques up on my wall. They are "love", "faith" and "hope". These are further visual reminders for me. Finally I have all sorts of little things taped to my monitor of various verses or phrases I felt inspired to write and post as well as a tiny pair of pink boxing gloves hanging on it. In front of me is a little figurine of a boy holding a balloon which says "hope". One of my cousins gave it to me for Christmas after I got back from the hospital. Finally, there is the music box which sits on my desk. My son and his wife gave me that on my 50th birthday which was nearly a year after my aneurysm rupture. It plays Amazing Grace and has a silver rotating cross which says:
The light of God surrounds me,
The love of God enfolds me.
The power of God protects me.
The presence of God watches over me.
Wherever I am, God is,
And all is well.
Amen.
I believe we must make "markers" or "monuments" at various points in our lives so that we can remember what God has done for us in the past so that we will have faith that He will do so in the future. We find evidence of this being done in the Old Testament as a way to remember. We must not live in the past but I think we need to re-visit it so that we remember what God has done.
It does not have to be a visual reminder. Often for me it is a song, a story that blessed and inspired me in the past, calling out to a friend who I know will let me cry on their shoulder and then encourage me or ... even munching on a chocolate truffle. Here, have one! You can never eat too many truffles in cyberspace!
Finally, though you may not look like it or feel like it at the moment, remember who you are in Christ... a  , His princess... a Princess of God!
Blessings!
K |
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Author: Barbara Kankowske+
Posted Oct 13 2012 10:48:44am
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Thank you K for sharing the ways you handle ... days like this. Your revelation below is striking. How we need the endurance of God's moment as we sojourn this home away from home.
Your music box playing Amazing Grace and the words written on the cross together say it all!
I held this post until today. It has been a difficult month and I felt it was a good time to post it. I do believe I will have one of those truffles. Do you think anyone would mind if I stash the whole box under my bed until I can change helmets?  |
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Author: day2day+
Posted Oct 13 2012 10:53:28pm
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I love that!
The light of God surrounds me,
The love of God enfolds me.
The power of God protects me.
The presence of God watches over me.
Wherever I am, God is,
And all is well.
Amen. |
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Author: poodlelady+
Posted Oct 13 2012 10:50:56am
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The light of God surrounds me,
The love of God enfolds me.
The power of God protects me.
The presence of God watches over me.
Wherever I am, God is,
And all is well.
Amen.
K sent this to me when I found out I had cancer. It's easy to memorize and quote when I'm having one of those days or moments even.
If possible, get alone with God and cry out to Him even Yell if you need to. Somehow putting it all on God's shoulders brings one to that state of mind where you can see 2 Corinthians 4:16 -18. Then start saying/singing praises to God.
It will change your day!
Praying for God's blessings for you.
Poodlelady |
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Author: Barbara Kankowske+
Posted Oct 13 2012 05:36:08pm
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Thank you poodlelady for sharing and for your prayer. K certainly has been a faithful soldier at arms. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 is certainly true ... two together will make it through.
I look forward to meeting new comrades in arms.
Blessings,
Barb |
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Author: bibleguy64+
Posted Oct 13 2012 01:10:31pm
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I say you are overlooking something on this day - YOUR CAT! How did you get him to cooperate with a melon helmet? One of the two of you is definitely having an unusual day - probably both of you. - bibleguy |
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Author: Barbara Kankowske+
Posted Oct 13 2012 05:41:25pm
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Oh my gosh in all my distress I never thought about the cat! I have looked and looked, but I fear he has abandoned me  They say a dog is a faithful friend ... but a cat?
Oh there he is. He looks more upset by my mentioning a dog then by his humiliating picture. Woe is me, now I am in trouble again! |
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Author: Billy Beard+
Posted Oct 13 2012 05:37:08pm
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Stay focused on Jesus Christ. But we do have those days. There used to be a lot more community feel around here, I think. A lot of the ladies do, as already suggested. There are many good blogs and people here, but so many do not get recognized very often. I do hope you continue. God Bless you sister in Christ. And my apologies for not saying this til now. Welcome. |
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Author: Barbara Kankowske+
Posted Oct 13 2012 06:25:17pm
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Thank you billyb, I really appreciate your comment and welcome.
I appreciate comments from the men, as well as the women. Women are more natural at support (the maternal genes), nevertheless, women do value the support of men, perhaps more then they realize. As I say this, I also realize the reverse is true.
I once took a class that gave an interesting picture of the difference... When a woman is in distress, all the women gather around with tissue to touch and support. When a man is in distress, the men lean up against a supporting object, hands in pockets, and quietly nod.
Women and men respond differently, but we need the support of each other. May we learn to celebrate our differences and not be intimidated by them.
It is challenging to keep a community feel on a media site, let alone one of this size. Thanks to all who have contributed to achieving this, despite the obstacles!
Blessings,
Barb |
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Author: kreynolds+
Posted Oct 14 2012 05:05:27am
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As I read this, I thought about the dear brothers in Christ who encourage and help me. There is one picture etched in my mind of a time when I was going through chemo. I was sick at heart over my husband. He had such a heavy burden to carry as he cared for me. I felt like a hindrance rather than a helpmeet.
Then one Sunday morning before church, he and I suddenly found ourselves surrounded by a group of men. They told us that they "had our back". We were "covered". As I looked at the faces of those men surrounding us, I could suddenly feel the strength and loving protection of God. It's not that I did not feel it at all from my "sisters" but there was a very distinctive difference.
I truly love and appreciate my dear brothers in Christ who remind me so much of our Heavenly Father!
Blessings!
K |
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Author: silverpen+
Posted Oct 13 2012 08:40:22pm
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Sister Barb, yes I will give you a pat on your shoulder for your faithfulness and sharing your thoughts in all your the blogs . Remember though we sometimes do not have a crowd behind us, one day somewhere, sometime, the words we write and the things we share can touch someone's heart and may change someone's mind for the better, for only God knows when.
So continue to persevere in spite of it all. Someday we lie down, other times we just want to jump up. So be it. 
Thanks for sharing
Blessings always
From Hwa Silverpen |
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Author: Barbara Kankowske+
Posted Oct 14 2012 10:20:42am
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Thank you Hwa, I agree and do pray that the Gospel will permeate the airways. It is a Google world and the truth needs to be declared by all who share on media. It is indeed a walk and work of faith.
How about we all agree for a few more jump up moments to counter the lie down days 
Blessings,
Barb |
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Author: day2day+
Posted Oct 13 2012 10:31:50pm
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oh barb...all i can do is sit with you with our tissue boxes...i got on here at 1:30 in the morning because i could not sleep...feel like debbie downer...having one of those reoccuring "days" .big hug! the only thing i can share is that i keep breathing and somehow i keep waking up the next morning
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Author: Barbara Kankowske+
Posted Oct 14 2012 10:33:13am
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Thank you day2day, as the song says, in Jesus Name we press on 
I think of what the early church went through with beatings, hardships, trouble within and without. It is obvious there was a resident power within that brought them through, not their own strength. That resident power is eternal life, His life within us.
May the Lord bring you through victorious and cause you to mount up with wings as eagles.
Blessings,
Barb |
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