Just when I feel I'm beginning to fall into my oh-so-familiar "why" pit, God reaches over and pulls me back out again. He's good to me that way.
So this week I'm thankful for the staff my Shepherd used to keep me from falling: a video of a young woman named Rachel, speaking in front of hundreds of women about her terminal cancer and her faith in Jesus.
Rachel was recently diagnosed with cancer for the second time. The first time it was breast cancer and this time the cancer is in her bones and liver and it is spreading. Her doctors give her 6 to 14 (I believe she said) weeks to live. She is married and has young children.
Her message helped me to gather in my mind all my own suffering and, once again, give it purpose: to draw closer to my God and to glorify Him. Is there any greater purpose in the world?
Thank you, Lord. And thank you, Rachel, for sharing your trials and the wisdom you've learned through them. You have fulfilled your purpose.
The video is 55 minutes long, and I promise you won't regret the time spent. You can find it on her website, Death is not dying.
Update - Rachel went home to be with Jesus on July 2, 2009. Please uphold her family in your prayers.
Hi Dorci.
ReplyDeleteI found you from a comment you made on "More than Coping". I have a similar story and have recently found out I have sleep apnea. Just wondered if you have had a sleep study. Praying for you.
Hi Sara,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping over. No, I've never had a sleep study. I've thought about it before, just never took the steps to do it. I don't think I have sleep apnea just because I know I don't snore. It seemed like something weird triggered in my brain after a surgery I had because before that I slept great and after that, not so much. That's great that you found out what you have, though, because I know there are a lot of ways to deal with sleep apnea.
God bless!
Dorci
Hi Dorci.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of sleep changing after surgery.
I do not snore either and do not fit the typical profile for sleep apnea. It hasn't been my complete answer but it has helped.
Even if you do not have sleep apnea, a sleep study might be helpful for you. It shows many things about your sleep.
Joy and Peace,
Sara
I know, it does sound very odd, doesn't it? I thought maybe it had something to do with the anesthesia or something.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting about the sleep apnea. I always thought it was from not getting enough oxygen during the night and thought that was from snoring. Anyway, yes, I really should do a sleep study. I wonder if my insurance would cover any of it. Sounds very expensive.