One of my absolute favorite things are photos. I can be a kinda annoying about it but I have found that it is my way (sometimes my only way) of remembering a moment in time. There are so many great moments in life that I want to remember. I want to remember the joy I feel in the moments and be able to hold onto it somehow. That is what photos do for me. This family portrait has had such significance over the last five years since it was taken, just 3 weeks before we learned of my diagnosis. It represents a moment when breast cancer was a reality, but not ours. It represents us as a young family enjoying being just that. It also represents a very different me, a complacent and unrefined me. Some days I need the reminder of this moment in time to remember to always be grateful and welcome the editing on my life.
From an article originally posted on 7/30/11…
I am thankful to say that there are only a few times I feel like I have truly grieved in my life. My most recent recollection of grieving occurred 2 years ago to the day when I walked with a dear friend through the loss of her baby boy when she was 36 weeks pregnant. If there is one thing I know beyond all else in walking this journey so far, I know that our God is in control of all things and nothing occurs that is not by His design. Just as July 29th holds great significance for my dear friend, it now holds great significance for me as the day I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Just as I watched my friend choose to be refined by the trial, I will choose to be refined by this trial.
This day is also significant in that it is a Friday, the day that Jesus went to the cross. There is no question that this day is the hardest day of my life so far. But after walking through this day, I am better able to identify with how Jesus himself felt that Friday and His suffering means that much more. Fortunately, the story doesn’t end on Friday. The fact that He was resurrected and conquered death 3 days later is what allows me to have the HOPE that I have.
There is surely a future HOPE for you, and your HOPE will not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:18 NIV
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