Sometimes when the unexpected happens you cannot do anything but be frozen. At first when we found out my dad had cancer I was not too worried about him. He did not seem worried.

I love my dad! ❤️ He's my hero, Harry Potter buddy, comic relief, advice giver, and one of the best huggers! I can't pick on my mom (in a loving way) by myself! I can't and don't want to imagine life without him. By the Grace of God, I won't have to!

These past couple of days, my perspective has changed from peace to a mixture of worry and concern. Worrying, in this case, is the fear that I cannot do anything to help him. I do not have control at all over the situation.

God Is Above Me

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

God is God. I am not. God is to be 'exalted among the earth'. He is almighty and totally in control of my dad's health! Not only that but he will be glorified no matter what happens!

I have to be still and consider the possible ways God could be working through this experience. It's a trial for my family to live and grow through.

Trial = Joy ?

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” ‭‭James‬ ‭1:2-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It's hard to be joyous about cancer because.. Cancer. But I can rejoice in knowing that there are lessons ahead and opportunities for my family to grow closer in our with God and each other. Whenever God carries us to the end we will also have attained more perseverance and will be able to encourage others in a way we were not able to before! We can share the testimony God is currently revealing.

What if...

Cancer is a scary and serious thing that I wish I knew more about. Tomorrow dad and I will go to the cancer center to find out if the cancer is anywhere else besides the spot we are aware of. If not, the story should be an easy extraction plan next week. A good recovery and no/little concerns afterward. And if there is. Well, everything can change. I can be concerned about this, but worrying about it is a waste of time because there is nothing I can do about it. Coincidentally (aka it was a God thing) on Sunday Our Sunday School class talked about Worry in Matthew Chapter 6.

““Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:25-26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God takes care of the birds in the sky. He says we are if more value so why should I even begin to think that he would not take care of my family. God is all knowing and I only know the little he allows me to know. I know God sees the bigger picture I only see a piece of. And he tells me worrying is not going to help anything or anyone!

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God's Good is Our Good

Whatever happens, I know God is fully in control and will lead my family through whatever trials come next. He won't abandoned us. We are for his good and furthering the kingdom. May the Lord give us strength in our hearts and minds during this time. We have been very blessed by our church family and others for their love, kindness, and support during these past couple of weeks. Thank you! God loves us. Jesus died for us. The Holy Spirit continues to work in us. We aren't alone. Everything will be fine.

"For we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28