Looking at these photos brings back memories that have long since been stored in the treasure chest of my heart. The first photo is one of we fondly called, “The First Wives’ Club.” As I reflected on this picture, it is a vivid reminder of how fragile and precious life is in this world. At the time of this picture, this trio had had lunch in Old Towne Spring. Carol (center) was in town and was responsible for forming our club. It seems only fitting that she w
as in the middle of this photograph. She introduced me to Ellen (on left). Like me, Ellen’s husband is in the ministry and they, too, had led tours to Israel. It was the love of God’s land, Israel, that we all shared. Over time, it became evident, this union was not by chance. It was a divine strand of the tapestry God was working in all three of our lives. Carol works for the company that plans our tours. She is a “hands’ on” lady that tailors the trip to be a perfect fit for the hosts and the guests. This photo was taken on the front porch of a tea room. We had grabbed a complete stranger to snap this photo for us. All three of us had this photo framed in a purple frame (Ellen’s favorite color). We all three kept in touch. Because Ellen and I lived closer, we met more frequently and grew very close. Sadly, this would be the last photo of Ellen we would take.
Ellen and her husband had returned from a trip from Israel when Ellen noted a lump in her breast. She went to her doctor immediately but was told that it was nothing and sent her home. Ellen and her husband lived out of town, so a drive into town was truly a trip! As weeks progressed, the lump continued to grow and the pain became unbearable. Traveling back to the doctor with her arm resting on a pillow, I remember Ellen saying the pain was very severe. During her appointment with her doctor that day Ellen learned that the lump indeed was something. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. The disease was aggressive and so was the treatment. In the end, the disease being relentless moved into her brain. Still we kept in close contact, talking over the phone and emailing. And when she was placed in a facility near here, I went to see her frequently.
as in the middle of this photograph. She introduced me to Ellen (on left). Like me, Ellen’s husband is in the ministry and they, too, had led tours to Israel. It was the love of God’s land, Israel, that we all shared. Over time, it became evident, this union was not by chance. It was a divine strand of the tapestry God was working in all three of our lives. Carol works for the company that plans our tours. She is a “hands’ on” lady that tailors the trip to be a perfect fit for the hosts and the guests. This photo was taken on the front porch of a tea room. We had grabbed a complete stranger to snap this photo for us. All three of us had this photo framed in a purple frame (Ellen’s favorite color). We all three kept in touch. Because Ellen and I lived closer, we met more frequently and grew very close. Sadly, this would be the last photo of Ellen we would take.Ellen and her husband had returned from a trip from Israel when Ellen noted a lump in her breast. She went to her doctor immediately but was told that it was nothing and sent her home. Ellen and her husband lived out of town, so a drive into town was truly a trip! As weeks progressed, the lump continued to grow and the pain became unbearable. Traveling back to the doctor with her arm resting on a pillow, I remember Ellen saying the pain was very severe. During her appointment with her doctor that day Ellen learned that the lump indeed was something. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. The disease was aggressive and so was the treatment. In the end, the disease being relentless moved into her brain. Still we kept in close contact, talking over the phone and emailing. And when she was placed in a facility near here, I went to see her frequently.
Ellen lived out the intervention of God being delivered from the disease. The disease did not win! God delivered Ellen from this disease. Leaving her funeral, I knew that Ellen had been victorious. And that this life was a launch pad for her. That she came to touch lives and complete an assignment only she could perform. While I lost a friend and a traveling companion on this earth, Ellen was delivered from this disease and what a reunion it will be when we once again join forces in Heaven.
Fast forward…I am standing at the front door of the church were I was employed and I see a member of our church in the parking lot hugging a lady. The lady could have
been Ellen’s twin sister. For a moment I thought it was Ellen. My heart beating a million beats a minute I wanted to run, grab her up and tell her how much we all had missed her. To my shock and surprise, it was not Ellen, but a wonderful, godly lady named Linda. (This photo was taken at a mutual church member’s land blessing we attended.) Left to right: Richard, Steve, Linda and Jay).
been Ellen’s twin sister. For a moment I thought it was Ellen. My heart beating a million beats a minute I wanted to run, grab her up and tell her how much we all had missed her. To my shock and surprise, it was not Ellen, but a wonderful, godly lady named Linda. (This photo was taken at a mutual church member’s land blessing we attended.) Left to right: Richard, Steve, Linda and Jay).Linda taught me to take another chance on relationships. Having decided I would NEVER journey again with some one dying (after all, Ellen was my third close friend who had died from cancer), I felt God simply would not ask me to “do” the friend thing again. I couldn’t have been more wrong! Linda walked into my life with a song! How she loved gospel music. Being a personal friend of The Isaacs, music was a large part of her life and gave her great joy. I still can see her face light up as her toes tapped, hands clapping as she took in the lyrics and tune. Linda was a special lady that forever stamped “delivered from” in my heart. Linda fought a 17 year battle with breast cancer. With every respite, we thought we had the cancer beat. Then one day, the battle near the end and Linda was delivered from it. Before leaving her graveside side, we broke out with one of her favorite songs, “I’ll Fly Away.” What a send off!
Lastly, is one very special lady. She holds a permanent place in my heart I have known this lady for almost 13 years. I would like to introduce this sweet angel lady named, Jay. Jay is on the far right in the above photo.
If you could take an empty bowl, add sweetness of spirit, prayers that could take down a giant, talent with the piano, love that knows no bounds and sprinkle it with a smile that would melt a heart, and add a generous helping for unwavering faith and friendship, you would have Jay.Jay encounter with cancer was being delivered through her circumstances. She was diagnosed in 1991 with a lump, followed by surgery and chemo. In the years that I have known Jay (with no exception) any time anyone diagnosed with cancer [especially breast cancer], Jay would walk through the process with the person. I watched her counsel, comfort and cry with those as she accompanied them on their journey through cancer. Because she had experienced the treatment (including a mastectomy), Jay surpassed the role of a “go to” person. Jay’s love of God, her unwavering faith in prayer and love of God’s people made her a formidable warrior against cancer. Jay shared this with me today. She said not long after her surgery, she was in church. It was dark as she sat in prayer asking God a very important question: “Please tell, God, am I healed?” Jay says that her entire body began to burn all over. She knew that God had responded and had healed her.
Hopefully, now, you understand why the “Whip Cancer” campaign has been in the forefront of my blog and in my heart. Rest assured there will come a day when cancer will be drop-kicked into the abyss by Jesus. But, in the meantime, know that if you or someone you know is or has had cancer that it is not delivered by an angry God. Our God does not cause cancer! Trust the truth that our God will continue to move in His sovereignty and faithfulness. Whether we are delivered to it – through it – or from it God is all over it!
“I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known
through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.”
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known
through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.”
Psalm 89:1-2
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