This months give-away is something a little different. It kind of has two parts to it, so bear with me as it took me a while to write and express this the way that I truly felt led to (and it still feels like a mumbled gumbled mess). It is really about something that has been on my heart lately.
Studies in Canada state that 1 in 4 people will be affected by cancer. In the UK this stat is 1 in 3 people. I think that today, almost everyone can say that they know of someone or that they themselves have been affected by cancer. Ten years ago cancer was a horrible disease that I really didn't know much about. Almost 5 years ago, it became a sinking reality and claimed the life of my Dad. It seems now, almost every month I hear of someone who has been diagnosed, died, is fighting, had a cancer scare, etc. It is scary and it has hit home on a far more personal level. While the amount of people diagnosed with cancer is climbing, the survival rates are also climbing (good news right), however the emotional, physical, spiritual turmoil it has on people is still enormous.
My Aunty Elaine has been on my mind a lot lately. She fought breast cancer and won! However, just after Christmas she was ill and they discovered tumours in her brain. She is a fighter and she has been through the radiation treatments. The tumours are shrinking and everything seems to be looking good. She needs our prayers. We have been praying for her, praying for a miracle, praying for healing, praying that she knows Jesus.
A couple months ago I had a dream that I had cancer and because I was pregnant, the doctors wanted me to terminate the pregnancy, so that they could begin to give me treatments. Some of my dreams are so real, so vivid and this was one of them. My husband gets a little freaked out with my dreams, I guess it is only natural as I have had dreams in the past about things that my hubby never told me and that had been on his heart (completely indicative of God's timing and direction for our lives at that time). No, this does not mean that I have cancer and nor would I ever terminate a pregnancy. I learned, after some prayer what God was really trying to tell me.
I have been struggling a lot lately in my relationship with the Lord. Questioning how much He loves me and whether or not He really cares for me. Wondering why we have had to fight and battle as much as we have had to, why sharing, preaching, standing up for the gospel is so darn hard. This dream revealed the extreme amount of Love that He does have for me. You see it wasn't until I had kids that I could really grasp the whole concept of my heavenly Father loving me, desiring a relationship with me. The immense love I have for my kids is just a smidget compared to the Love that He has for me, for you, for us all. From my dream I knew that I would risk my life to ensure the health and safety of my unborn child, I would risk my life for my kids in any situation. I would do everything and anything to ensure their safety, to ensure they know how much they are loved. I would give my life for them. He loves us so much that he gave his son to die for us. To die the most horrific, painful, sacrificial death. I can not fathom giving up my child like HE did! It then dawned on me how much He really loves me, how much He really loves you. I can and will not turn away from that, I need to find ways to show that, to ensure that everyone knows about how much He loves us and that He only desires a personal relationship with us. You see from all of the cancer, sickness, accidents, wars, sinful acts of hate, we never know when our time is up. I know that when my time is up, it will be the biggest celebration ever--why because I get to spend eternity with my Father in heaven who loves me so incredibly much. How many people in my life, in this country, this world have that same peace?
I also came to realize after my Dad's death how extremely important investing in people's lives really, truly is. I don't think my Dad laid on his death bed wishing he had more time to spend out in the field on his tractor, I think he was desiring more time with his family, or wishing that he could meet his first grandchild and now the other 4 that he never knew about. It baffles me how we can get so focused on our own lives, our own problems, our own issues that we completely forget about those around us that are struggling and could really use some help, some encouragement, some prayer. This is the way of life in North America, everyone is looking out for themselves, just trying to get rich, and we are all sooo busy. This is directed mostly to myself, as it is so easy for myself to wallow in my own self pitty. This is not the example I want to set for my kids, I want to show them how important people, relationships are. Even when those that you desire a relationship with completely and utterly reject you, tell you they don't love you, turn their backs on you, hate you, and value their time, money, work, extra-curricular activities more than a relationship, it's ok because God loves you, He loves me. Sometimes all you can do is pray and seek wisdom from Him on opportunities to show His love. I am not saying that it will be easy, I do know what it is like to tell someone you love them and have them tell you that they don't care. However, we need to encourage one another, pray for one another, love one another. I need to spend more time investing in my relationships. I have been hurt a lot, and find it so hard to trust and open my heart up for fear that I will be hurt again. I know that I am not alone, that I am not the only one who has struggled, hurt, etc. Enough of that, no one can hurt me because of the love that God has for me and yes you too. This has hit me hard lately as I haven't called my aunt (or sent a card, email--nothing), I am behind on emailing friends I love, I don't feel like talking on the phone, I seriously just want to sit in my own little room and become a recluse. Yes, I am exhausted and find it easy to fall into that trap of "not having time". How many times have we said or heard that?
So this months giveaway has two parts as I said. First I have a few little goodies that I will be sending to my Aunt along with a card of encouragement and prayer (so yes she gets the big part of the giveaway). I really ask that you will keep her in your prayers as well and go on over to her
blog and leave a note of encouragement, support, prayer, whatever--even if you are a complete stranger. She is a pretty incredible lady and loves meeting knew people--even in blog land.
Second, I also have a pack of encouragement cards for one lucky reader. It is from the DaySprings Max Lucado Encouragement set.
I feel convicted, and led to invest more in the lives of those close to me, those complete strangers that God is prodding me to say something to, do something for--maybe you do too? A note of encouragement, an email, an e-card to let those around you know you care, and that He cares so much more is so important. I know how much it means to me, so imagine how much it means to to others, especially to those who are ill, suffering, struggling.
So the deadline is next Wednesday the 11th. I will post the winner on Thursday. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you have done to encourage others, and/or what others have done to encourage you. I think we can all learn from one another, and plus I could use some ideas! :o)
Thanks for reading my long-winded post.....
