I have a friend. She has taught me much about trusting the Lord. I want to give a shout out to her for the beautiful legacy she is passing on to her children. Several years ago, when her kids were little, she found out she had cancer. Way back then, from the beginning, they were taught that mom's cancer did not make them special or allow them special privileges. They still had to do their homework. They had chores and were expected to get them done. They had to dress nicely and not just throw something on. They knew their manners and were supposed to use them. No excuses.
The biggest thing she has taught them, though, is to honor the Lord. To believe Him. Their family mantra became, "God's got this." I've heard them repeat it thousands of times. They have bracelets and shirts. They even shared it with me when I began my own battle with cancer. It's a testimony, and they tell it whenever they get a chance.
God's got this. No matter how scary or bad things appear, He has a plan. Stage 4 cancer? Certainly not what any young mother plans to have interfere with raising her babies, but my friend will be quick to tell you, "He has a plan and I am honored that he chose me to go through this." Those were words I found foreign and absurd before cancer. However, after you get your diagnosis, you understand and agree. She embraces life. She jumped out of an airplane this summer. She spent a couple of weeks this fall gathering coats for needy kids. She is always looking to help others instead of expecting people to help her. She inspires me. (Don't get any ideas that I am jumping out of a plane. That's just crazy!)
Just last week my friend had another major surgery to remove more tumors and things from her body. Right here at Christmas time. How bad would it be? Would she have to stay at the hospital for a long time? Would she be home for Christmas? Would she even live through it? She came through and is back home with her family to recover and celebrate Jesus' birth.
Today I saw her youngest son at school. His class was in line, but he smiled and mouthed something to me. It was noisy and crazy in the hallway, so I followed him to class.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"I said, God's got this," he smiled.
I love this time of year. Time to celebrate Jesus. Time to give gifts and bake and sing and see the trees lit up and decorated. Hey, I even spent yesterday at the mall, of all things! Time to drink hot chocolate and watch the fire. Time to gather with friends and family. Time to remember why we do all this stuff we call Christmas. I wouldn't call myself a Grinch, but my heart grew two sizes today. Actually, it swelled to the point of bursting with love to know that a woman has taught her children compassion and faith. Faith in our God who never fails. Faith that even though we don't know about tomorrow, we know who does. And they allow me to share it with them. I am honored and blessed.
Please keep them in your prayers. God's got this.
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