Welcome the Rain
My sister had an appointment with her oncologist May 19 to learn the extent of the cancer presence and what treatments were recommended. As I waited to hear the results, a bad storm darkened the sky in Brunswick. The thunder and lightening became very threatening and the power went out as the storm raged during the downpour. I felt in my spirit…..the news is not good. I felt Jesus squeeze my hand (the one He never lets go of ) and watch me intently. In His eyes, I saw the question, “Will you trust me, Sherry?” “Yes, Lord”, I wanted to say with bubbling confidence but it came out more like a weak stutter….”uh uh yeah.”
My heart sank as I heard my sister’s broken voice on the phone. Amazingly, however I felt peace as she shared that there were multiple clusters of cancer cells in the lymph nodes in her neck and down in her chest. However, cancer was not detected in her organs…..lungs, liver pancreas, etc. I reminded my sister that just the night before she had shared that “a major miraculous emotional and spiritual healing had taken place! God’s army is advancing…let me guess who wins?” I quoted Isaiah 55: 8 & 9: For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My Ways, declares the Lord. As the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are My Ways higher than your ways and My Thoughts than your thoughts. I reminded my sister that she herself had declared the day after the biopsy report: “We will witness miracles we could not even imagine!” The oncologist commented surgery and radiation are not options because the area involved is too large. That leaves chemo! Both my sister and I have an aversion to that option because of what we watched our mother deal with in her own battle and other friends who seemed to suffer more from treatment than from the cancer itself. Miraculously, God’s abiding peace continued even after I hung up the phone and went to bed.
As I left the house headed to my prayer room on the following morning (May 20) I could smell the freshness in the air after the cleansing rain of the day before. I heard Jesus say in my spirit….
“Welcome the Rain!” As I read my devotional from Jesus Calling, I read: I am the Light of the world and My Illumination decimates the darkness. Come close to Me and let My Light envelop you, driving out the darkness and permeating you with peace. The words reminded me of a scripture I included in the lyrics of a song I wrote in my teens, II Samuel 23:4 which says: He shall be as the light of the morning; a cloudless sunrise. When the tender grass springs forth upon the earth; like sunshine after rain. We very much need to see the sunshine in this situation with my sister, Abba! His reply from Jesus Calling May 22 resonated with both my sister and I: When things don’t go as you would like, accept it immediately. If you indulge in feelings of regret, they can easily spill over the line into resentment. Remember I am sovereign over your circumstances, and humble yourself under My Mighty Hand. Rejoice in what I am doing in your life, even though it is beyond your understanding. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In Me you have everything you need, both for this life and for the life yet to come. Don’t let the impact of the world shatter your thinking or draw you away from focusing on Me. The ultimate challenge is to keep fixing your eyes on Me, no matter what is going on around you. When I am central in your thinking, you are able to view circumstances from My perspective.
One of the scriptures that encouraged me during my Mom’s illness appeared today in my devotional time. It comes from the Amplified Version of the Bible, Habakkuk 3:19…..The Lord God is my strength, my personal bravery and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror , but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering or responsibility]!
My sister left today on a two week cruise with her husband to Alaska. When she returns the second week of June, she will begin researching alternative treatment options. Please join us in praying for discernment as we seek the Lord’s guidance on where to step next. [I am moving forward expecting to find hidden treasures strategically placed by My Loving Heavenly Father along the way. Some will be trials designed to shake me free from earth-shackles. Other treasures will be the indicators of His Constant Presence with me on the journey (Portions of phrasing from Jesus Calling for May 23)].
“Lead on, O King Eternal, the day of march has come; henceforth in fields of conquest Thy tents shall be our home. Through days of preparation Thy grace has made us strong; and now O King eternal, we lift our battle song.”
Written by
Sherry Fraser Somerville