Have you ever come to a point in your life when living even one day at a time proved to be too much? I have. I was begining to feel suffocated by my very existence. My life had become so busy that I felt as though I was being crowded out of it. On a typical day I got up at 4:30 a.m. to get to work by 6:00 a.m, get off at 2:30 p.m to rush to my second job by 3:30 p.m.--I did this every day for 11 years--it was becoming insane. To make matters worse, last July, out of the blue and right after passing his physical exam with flying colors, my husband was diagnosed with stomach cancer. It felt as though I had suddenly been thrown into a downward spiraling vortex. Being a nurse, I was fully armed with the facts, but it was the truth of God's word that gave us hope. The grace of God and the support of family(9 children & 20 grandchildren)and friends took us through surgery, through chemo and through radiation. He does not have a stomach now but you would not know it by looking at him - God is that good, he is that merciful.
When we finally came up for air, we both knew that we would have to do life differently. I have slowed down and I have not regretted it. I am learning to live in and savour each moment and I am learning to choose joy each day. I now start every day with this affirmation --moment by moment I choose joy-- and it has been life changing. When getting from one day to the next becomes overwhelming I do it moment by moment, and the love and mercy of God makes it doable. I find such comfort in his word. My favourite word in all of Scripture is "beloved". It is so deep and tender. Whenever I read it out loud, and I often do, it's like I'm being called sweetheart, or darling by someone who is ardently pursuing me, and He is! The Scriptures record that He so loved the world that He gave. He has given me my life back and He has given it new meaning. I feel so privileged to be alive--especially when I read such words as "...He has chosen us (including me) in Christ before the foundation of the world..." It just magnifies his declaration in Jeremiah 29:11 "I know the plans I have for you (meaning me) declares the Lord, plans to bless you not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and pray to me and I will hear you...WOW
