08 May One Year Later…
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” Luke 1:46-47
One year.
365 days.
525,600 minutes.
31,536,000 seconds… ago, my life took a sharp turn. In the course of a few of those seconds, one year ago today, a woman I barely knew… a doctor, delivered 3 words to me that the Lord used to change my life. “You have cancer,” she said, and with that nothing was the same again. She told me I’d get through it, but that it would not be the best year of my life, and in fact she was right. It has not been the best year of my life. It has, by far, been the greatest.
3 words changed my life: You… have… cancer.
2 words are my life: Jesus Christ.
There are some experiences that render one speechless; or at least unable to speak in a way that would make much sense to any who might care to listen. That’s how I feel today. So many emotions caught up in a year of profound and tangible grace, but far too big a day to sit back, let it pass, and not at least attempt to say something. This is not a “look-at-me-I’m-a-cancer-surviving-super-woman” essay. It’s much bigger than that. It’s been one great, big, momentous year of living, breathing, loving and walking hand-in-hand with my Jesus closer than I’ve ever been. So, pardon me if I ramble on. I need to celebrate Him! You might not get it, but He will.
Precious Lord!
A long time ago we had a chat. We talked about how, “It’s always going to be You-and-me…” And when it comes right down to it, it always is just You-and-me, Lord. Always has been; always will be. So, this is a big day, Lord. A really big day for us and nobody really knows or understands the magnitude of what it all means… what it all meant… and what it continues to mean for You-and-me, except You. Wonderful, faithful, mighty, beautiful, loving, tender, compassionate, all-knowing, all-seeing, all everything, marvelous… You! Oh, what You have done! To take this pitiful wretch and carry her through the storm of her life as if it were a much-awaited spring shower. You did not leave me as you found me one year ago. You were faithful to answer my prayer; I am not the same girl coming out of this that I was going into it. You did a “new thing” and You continue to do it even now.
Only You, Lord! Only You!
Though You sent many to come alongside me, it was You and only You who went farther and deeper with me. Beyond where anyone else could have gone, You were there. You were so sweet to me! You were so good to me! You were so there with me… all the time.
Oh, precious “gift” packaged in such a strange and frightening way. Far too costly to just lay aside now with a “Glad that’s behind me!” No! I have barely taken off the wrapping! I am only just now beginning to see the shape and form of the gift inside. As it moves farther away from me I’m gaining a clearer perspective on all its contents: immeasurable love, countless lessons, and always the priceless opportunity to know You better. Thank You! Thank you, Lord! May I never stop coming back to tell You, “Thank You!”
Jesus! Beautiful Name above all Names! Lord, Your Name rules! There is no one greater! There is none like YOU!
YOU fought this battle for me!
YOU swam the deepest depths of it with me.
YOU climbed the jagged heights of it with me.
YOU walked the length and breadth of it with me.
YOU danced with me through the fire.
YOU taught me how to smile in the face of my enemy.
YOU lit the dark path ahead of me with the light of Your love.
YOU carried me through the wilderness and I rested between Your shoulders.
YOU healed me with Your Truth.
YOU have been my shelter, my stronghold, my strength and my joy!
YOU have proven Yourself mighty and faithful.
No one! There is no one like You, Lord! Stunning! And though I’ve said it a million times, it is truer now more than ever… You are everything to me! Everything! You are everything I need… everything I will ever need!
I sing Your praise and celebrate YOU today! Glory to You, Lord! Praise to You, Lord! All that is within me praises Your holy Name!
I love you!
Punky
Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Vast unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth
never, nevermore!