Today is Halloween. Seven years ago, I was preparing for surgery. A lumpectomy to remove a small mass that had invaded my left breast. I was feeling peaceful, even strong in the waiting. God had made clear to me that it wasn’t my time. That this was nearly a blip on the radar of my health, and all would be well. I’m here to say that much was true. Seven years later, and I am feeling strong and healthy as ever.
Being diagnosed was scary. Contemplating surgery and treatment felt a little overwhelming. Neither was anything compared to the procedure itself. To revisit my thoughts on that, go here. But I survived, and healed (physically and mentally), and I feel so blessed that I did.
This past weekend I visited a beautiful place of solace. Lake Junaluska. The ladies from my church gather here each fall to worship, step away from the day-to-day, and to draw nearer to God. The first time I attended our fall retreat was mere weeks after my diagnosis. I literally had little information and a lot of fear. I hadn’t even told most people that I had cancer. I was still practicing saying that in my head before I could bring myself to say it out loud. But it was there, as I was walking around the most beautiful lake, that God whispered all would be well. It was as clear as when he woke me after telling me to move to Phoenix, or when he shared that I needed to regain my health. From that moment on, I walked in faith, and as I look back now, I am so thankful.
This year, our theme was “between two trees”. As usual, Shelley outdid herself. It was beautiful. We focused first on the Tree in Eden, where all was lost, our beautiful garden, our communication with God, our innocence. Then our focus shifted to the second tree. The Cross, and what Jesus’s sacrifice on that cross means for us. A restoration, the ability to walk with God again, our cleansing. And in the distance, we see a third tree. The tree of Life in a New Garden, when He returns and there is a new Heaven and a new Earth. That was a mind-blowing concept for me. I’ve always envisioned it being a healed Earth. “Made new”. Not new from ashes. A thought I’ll be pondering and chewing on in the coming weeks.
I am so thankful for my time at the retreat. For the sweet friendships I share with the ladies in our church, for the new friendships made. For my healing and for my continued health. For all the little and big things in between the hope I had and the healing I’ve experienced. In my body, my heart, my mind, my spirit.
God is good.
Shrinking Shay 