“Cancer.” That word has invaded all our lives at some point, maybe with a dear family member or a precious friend. But when you hear the words from your own doctor, the clock begins to tick loud.
In my case, the word “cancer” hit hard when I was 37 and again when I was 42. My daughters were young then, and all I could think about was how I needed to be there for them. There were first dates to go on, proms to attend, college to experience, and a million other moments that I didn’t what to miss.
The clock ticked loud.
I realize how blessed I am. I’m one of the fortunate ones that didn’t have to have chemo or radiation. My first cancer was melanoma in my foot. They cut out a chunk of tissue and then grafted skin from my leg to fill in the hole. Scars remained, but Grace held tight.
The second time, five years later, the diagnosis was breast cancer, but thankfully not the type that spreads. It was caught in the earliest stage. Four surgeries and one year later, more scars remained, but again Grace held tight.
2 Cor 12:9 was the verse I clung to.
“. . . my grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakness . . .”
Our English word “sufficient” may not sound too impressive. But in the original Greek language, it is “arkeo” which means “to be possessed of unfailing strength; to be strong; to be enough”.
Grace is enough. Sometimes it rains down soft and often unnoticed. Other times it pours, and we are drenched with the magnitude of it all.
I don’t know why God loves us the way He does. But I do know that in my life, I’ve made a lot of mistakes. There are chapters in my story that I wished weren’t there. However, God has stamped “Redeemed” across every single page, and His grace continues to rewrite my story each and every day.
Because that’s what grace does. It gives us hope.
During the time of my second cancer, two other moms in my oldest daughter’s class were also diagnosed with different cancers. Within two years, they both lost their battles. But for some reason, God has allowed me ten more years of precious days. Within the past twelve months, both of my daughters were married. It was hectic, busy, wonderful, and beautiful, and grace was splattered across every moment.
I was present, and I breathed it all in.
When the clock ticks loud, God draws near and His grace holds tight.
Maybe you doubt that statement, because you have too many scars. Physical scars from a surgery or some sort of tragedy. Emotional scars from a time when a relationship disappointed and destroyed. Spiritual scars from mistakes you’ve made, sins you’ve succumbed to, or decisions that took you down a road you never planned to be on.
But the truth of the matter is that grace never stops.
No, your scars won’t go away. They will always be a part of your story. But God covers them with the love of a Savior whose life bled grace and made you beautiful.
When the clock ticks loud, grace holds tight. And God weaves a masterpiece in you.
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