Wednesday, January 7, 2009

I feel better today! :-)

My legs aren't as weak as they were yesterday. I was in so much pain and could hardely walk. This chemo stuff is crazy. One minute it has you crying from the pain and the next, you can deal with the pain. I'm so glad I'm on the home stretch!!

Today is rainy outside. I'm wondering when I can get out again. I'm not sure if I will know what normal will feel like again.....although I know the Lord has things in control, I'll still know that this "thing" is lurking inside of me, just waiting till I'm unaware. I don't ever want to be unaware again. I'm a planner and I didn't plan for this so it has made me realize how important it is to lean on Jesus. We cannot always know what is ahead but we can know who the planner of our universe is!!

I'm not afraid, I'm just aware. If you've not had exams or yearly physicals, I would highly suggest you do. I've always kept mine up and still I'm dealing with the unknown....however, most times, you can find out if you are diligent.

Cancer is not of God. God can cure cancer, or any disease. He has given us our bodies to serve HIM. We have to do our part to honor him with our bodies. This is why he said to serve him with our soul, mind and body. How can we be a witness to others if we are broken down and not taking care of ourselves? Have you ever seen a teenager with a new car? They polish, clean, and make sure that it stays as nice as possible. This is the way we should be with our bodies. We should cherish the earthly vessel God has given us by using it to help others.

How do we do that? We can do things for others in times of need or just a helping hand but we must use our bodies to honor God. This we do by being an example of HIM. We do not need to be vain but we must maintain what we have in order to continue to fulfill his mission. If we are not here, what use are we?

I think of the homeless. Many of them are where they are because of mental illness. Some of the homeless may have been born with the illness but I would bet that most acquired this because of their inaction to life. Life brought them so much abuse or heartache at their own hands that they do not have a mind that can reason. Or yet, they were abused to the point that they cannot reason or logically sort out things. This is where God steps into our lives, if we allow. He can remove the pain, the shame and replace it with victory.

My bro-in-law's family and church family visit the homeless every week to feed and clothe them. What an awesome blessing to those people. It seems like every week is just a repeat from the last but God has things in store for those that hurt and are weak. My bro-in-law told us about 1 man that has totally changed his life. He works a full time job (a job my bro-in-law helped him acquire), is never late, hard worker and doesn't want to be known as the "former homeless person". This is all because someone cared enough to get up early every Saturday morning and take a meal to someone less fortunate!

Make today a great day and do something for someone else. Just a smile, pat on the back, let someone sneak in front of you on the ride home....some sort of gesture that gives someone else a reason to smile back or pay it forward! Don't let today be just another day....make it a great day!

As always, it is because of all of you that I smile each day! Today is another day God has blessed us with breath. Make today your day!

Love to all,
Leah

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Cousin,

I just wanted to let you know that we have continued to pray for Leah and her courageous fight. The blog is so descriptive of the day-to-day fight that she has endured and is an inspiration and instruction to us in how to have grace under pressure. We are amazed at how God continues to encourage and lift Leah up as she fights--seems as if God gives her more courage and faith every day.

Our prayers are also for you, John, Leah's husband Steve and their kids. You must all feel the need to be strong for Leah and at the same time encourage yourselves in the Lord to keep going through this. Leah is so descriptive on her blog of the kind things you all do for her to ease her pain and discomfort. The love you all have for Leah is apparent. God Bless you all!

Prayer is the only way we have to help you all get through this fight and we will use it to ask for comfort for Leah, strength for those of you who help her day-to-day and Grace for everyone until Leah is delivered from this trial.

Just wanted to let you know that we love you and do think and pray for all of you often. God is in still control. Prayer still changes things. FAITH is still the substance of things HOPED for and NOT YET SEEN. In Jesus Name we know we are more than conquerors through him.

These scriptures have been an encouragement to us recently and I thought I would share them with you:

Habakkuk 3:17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

Habakkuk 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Habakkuk 3:19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.


Love to you all,

Dave and Shirley

Anonymous said...

Leah - Can you please call me when you feel like it? I have an idea I'd like to run by you. Thanks,
Pam Nixon
If you need my phone number, please let me know.