Not Once Did She Sit Still

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. – Exodus 14:13-16

Via TJC

Each passing year that my wife is given an “all clear” from the threat of recurring cancer, I reflect on her time during treatment and learn something new. I guess you could say that it is a double blessing every year. We celebrate the “all clear” and I learn something about her character. 

I Hope Her Story Pushes You

We are coming up on 9 years since diagnosis and 8 years of “cancer free”. That is hard to wrap my head around. In that time, we have seen profound change, grace and blessing beyond measure, and precious time with our kids that was once threatened.

However, the reality that strikes me this year was Jen’s inability to sit still when the diagnosis came. I do not mean in terms of anxiety or impatience. I mean it from the lens of determination. 

She refused to sit and expect stuff to magically happen. She also refused to sit and let it defeat her. Do not get me wrong, she puts full faith and trust in Jesus for her healing and continued health. She also put in her due diligence regarding cancer education, dietary treatment, along with many other treatment options, and spending time with her kids even when she felt miserable. She was determined to be in church on Sunday. She was determined to feed her children, to comfort them, to play with them and to nap with them. She refused to let them see cancer hold her down. It wasn’t always pretty or heroic. Sometimes I tried to convince her to simply rest and that was definitely a mistake. As men, we have a funny saying, “don’t poke the bear”, yet I would challenge that “don’t poke the mamma bear” has way more relevance. 

I am fully convinced that God has honored her determination by paving a way. A way for her to spend years she questioned she might not see with her kids. A way for her to have capabilities to endure, work, and serve beyond the lasting effects of chemo.

There is a time and season for all things. There is a season to “be still”. I also wholeheartedly believe that when we take the time to truly know God and are aligned to his will and our desires become his desires, that we are to “move out”, get up, walk by faith, do our due diligence in preparation, and have a goal in mind that everything going forward is done to bring God Glory.

Please know that we are extremely sensitive to God’s will regarding life and death on earth. Jen is fortunate and we do not take that for granted. 

Her story is one to tell, and the story always points back to Christ. Just as it should. Just as the Bible does in every true story written within.

The Lord told Jen not to sit around and feel sorry for herself. She certainly had her moments of doubt and fear, yet I am convinced the Lord told her, “I’ve made a way, move on and move out.” Her determination to live on mission is greater because of cancer. She did not and does not not let it stop her.

Exodus 14:13-16 is a great reminder that sometimes life sucks, or that we are seemingly facing a dead end, yet, often, we simply need to move on and move out. She inspires me and I hope her story inspires you.

Battle Order

Ask yourself whether you have the tenacity to withstand all. Are you preparing? Nothing the Lord allows is wasted. So, do not waste the opportunity to lean in, press on, put your faith in Jesus… BUUUUUT for Pete’s sake, move on and move out.

Father, I pray that we depend on you for all things. That we do not mistake “moving on and moving out” as a motto to “pull ourselves up by our bootstraps” because self-dependence gets us nowhere. Rather, I pray that we endure the race with tenacity and determination and remember that you do make a way. That our stories matter and we need to tell them in a manner that always points back to you. In Jesus Name, Amen.