My mom, my daughter and I have the unique privilege to attend Bible Study Fellowship www.bsfinternational.org together every Thursday morning. Three generations studying the same thing at the same time, pretty cool huh? This year’s study is about the life of Moses. As you may or may not know, there was a pretty important calling on Moses’ life (like Ten Commandments important!) It was so important that many times he questioned it and begged of God, “Please send someone else.”
This week we studied the fifth and sixth chapters of Exodus in which the Isrealites were being severely oppressed by the Egyptians despite Moses and Aaron’s attempts to appeal to Pharoah to “Let My people go!” Instead they are pressed even harder to make “bricks without straw”. They have heard the promises of God that they are His chosen people, and that they will be led out of Egypt into the promised land. Yet all they seem to know are beatings and heavy labor without the resources to even fulfill their quotas. Reasonably so, they are deeply discouraged.
In my mind, I have often equated being given a cancer diagnosis to receiving an important calling on one’s life. The inclination to question it is there, “Really, God?” The need to appeal it is there. “Are you sure there isn’t someone stronger you could choose?” And most definitely, the discouragement is there.
In the midst of deepest discouragement it can often be tricky to see beyond the snapshot to the bigger, grander picture. Just as Moses’ confidence was boosted time and again by God’s reiteration of His promises to him and His people, your Pink Warrior friend could really use reminders of God’s promises too.
A few of my favorites.
“In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world.”
“His mercies are new every morning.”
“Do not fear for I am with you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
“For The Lord will be with you wherever you go.”
“He will take great delight in you and will rejoice over you with singing.”
And from Exodus 6 itself:
“I have remembered my covenant.”
“I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.”
Find your own favorites and text ’em, email ’em, handwrite ’em, Aimee Weaver ’em. Your reminders might just give her the courage she needs to face her calling to make bricks without straw.
Tam says
I am loving it! Your post today (ok, all days, honestly;) was reallllly amazing;). Thank you for sharing, Kara! So thankful for you!!
Kara says
Thanks Tam, for always being such an encouragement in words and life. Love you.
Lynn Brady says
So much of the study of Moses reminds me of myself. Three years ago after being told my daughter, Kara, at age 33 had breast cancer, I remember crying out to God …. NO LORD… I CANNOT DO THIS…. SHE IS SO YOUNG AND SHE HAS 2 VERY YOUNG CHILDREN and yet God had other plans. We can now see in “the rear view mirror” that His plans are not always our plans nor His ways our ways. Pinked Perspective, such a worthwhile ministry to other women facing breast cancer, would not be in existence AND my walk with The Lord would not have been made deeper as my favorite praise and worship song, Oceans, so aptly expresses…….to quote a significant stanza of Oceans: Spirit lead me where my TRUST is without borders, Let me walk upon the waters WHEREVER you would call me, take me DEEPER than my feet could ever wander and my FAITH will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior. Actually every word in the entire song is significant if you can get your hands on it. Love you much Kara, Mom
Kara says
Love you, Mom! Where would I be without you?