My Cancer Journey and Lessons Learned
A Book of Devotions
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
A CUP OF SUFFERING MATTHEW 26:39 (NLV) He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” As I look back over the last ten years — my life with cancer — I have learned to appreciate what it has given me, rather than taking things for granted. I have learned that I could not be where I am today without walking with my Lord and Savior. Over ten years ago when I first heard the word “cancer,” I cried and was fearful of what lay ahead for me and wondered how long I would live. My husband and I have prayed for “this cup to pass from me” as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane over 2000 years ago. I didn’t want to have cancer any more than anyone else. I didn’t want to undergo the treatments that I had seen so many other people suffer through, but we ended that prayer as Jesus had with, “Yet, I want your will to be done, not mine.” So, we have traveled this cancer journey, not by ourselves, but with God holding hands with both of us. It is not something we could have traveled without Him there to comfort us and give us both strength to endure the treatments and the anxiety that rears its head every time I go for checkups. I mention both of us since my husband has gone through a lot in his care and support for me. This is not something that only the patient goes through; the caregiver does as well. I have had the finest caregiver one can ask for. He has been God’s hands and feet when I needed them the most. We have been so blessed that my treatments and stem cell transplant have kept me in remission for over ten years. We have learned to appreciate each day as it begins, and to enjoy each other and the things we have been able to do together over these last years. Each day we have tried not to let trivial matters interfere with our joy. I don’t know how anyone can take this journey without their faith and without God’s grace. This has been my experience and I hope it gives everyone reading this the encouragement to turn to God for help in their journey, if they have not already done so. I praise God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for my life and the comfort I have experienced each day since first hearing that word, “cancer.” PRAYER: Father, I give thanks for all you have done for me and pray that others facing difficult times will always turn to you for help in their time of need. You alone are our comforter and healer and are always with us if we open our eyes and hearts and acknowledge you. AMEN.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
As I began coming to terms with my cancer diagnosis I started writing these devotions. I felt God was leading me to do this and at times He would speak to me about writing several at a time, then there would be dry times. Those times came when I was more focused on worldly things than what God was wanting me to be focused on. As I returned to listening to that small voice, the subject and body of the devotion came dearer to me and I began writing again. There are devotions directly related to my cancer journey with most relating to the lessons that I have learned, or relearned. Recently I was diagnosed with another cancer— breast cancer. After surgery and radiation treatments, I feel the chance of reoccurrence is as low as it can be. As I have gone through the diagnosis and treatment, these devotions have proven be support to me, even though I wrote them. My prayer is that those reading this book will be inspired to have hope for the future, even though they are going through, or have gone through, their own cancer journey.
About the Author
Linda grew up in a Christian family in a small town in southern middle Tennessee. She graduated from the University of Tennessee-Memphis, married, moved to Mississippi, and raised two boys until a divorce redirected her life. She returned to Tennessee with her sons. God led her to Brentwood, Tennessee UMC where she met and married Norm Anderson. She went back to school and earned a law degree. Led to focus on family law and dependent and neglected children in Juvenile court, she practiced law until a cancer diagnosis and stem cell transplant compromised her immune system and she had to redirect her practice. She knows that when you let go of things and let God guide your life, the joy you experience is limitless. She and Norm live in a retirement-resort community in eastern Tennessee where they enjoy playing golf and volunteering in their community and church.