It was a late-November evening, already dark outside. I was in my office when my cell phone went off. The pathologist was on the line and told me my biopsy had come back positive for cancer.
After the call, as I tried to take in what he had said, a still, small voice said, “You are going to be okay.” I took this to mean do what the doctors tell you to, and you will be okay. I believed it was the Holy Spirit talking to me that night. I never looked back and thanked the Lord for His word to comfort me and give me HOPE.
My cancer journey wasn’t without its speed bumps, and on Christmas Day that year, having a postoperative complication that kept me and my husband from joining our relatives, I was in tears. Chemotherapy also was trying, but along the way, God used other people to help me keep my HOPE.
The surgeon’s nurse said, “Somebody up there must like you! Since you were six months delayed on your screening this year, we found it. Otherwise, it could have been six months from now to see and start treatments.”
My oncologist said, “You have it in one lymph gland, but the best possible scenario is only a few microscopic cells.”
One newly discovered marker was tested for, and it came out with good results, meaning I could do milder chemotherapy. Also, there would be no chance of heart complications from the stronger chemo drug I wouldn’t need to take.
I could see God’s hand in all of these positive signs. Then, I found Psalm 91. This is my favorite Bible chapter. God’s promises are so precise. He is so faithful to keep them. In Psalm 91, He says,
“Fear nothing... not a disease that prowls through the darkness, He orders his angels to GUARD you wherever you go, call me..., {I’ll} be at your side in bad times, I’ll rescue you, I’ll give you a long life.”
This happened twenty years ago. I was cured. Since then, I have had three beautiful granddaughters born and are now teenagers. My husband and I had fifty wonderful years together.
From my experiences, when I see HOPE diminishing, I reach even more for my Bible and look up those beautiful promises our Father has given us, and it lifts me.
Lord, thank you for your great HOPE and promises.
“This HOPE we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.”
Hebrews 6:19
Mary A. Spaulding
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