“Weeping may last for the night, but JOY comes in the morning.” ~Psalm 30:5~
As my mother enters hospice care today, I can’t help but think of my best friend Nancy, who entered Heaven this same day—February 4—in 2010. I wrote this post last year in memory of her. I share these words with a prayer for all who tremble on the brink of eternity.
When your best friend has breast cancer . . . you guard the privilege of driving her to doctor’s appointments, keeping her company at home, and sitting by her side in waiting rooms. Those precious days leave you changed.
You grieve as her body wastes away. But you also rejoice as her spirit grows stronger. Right before your eyes, she lives out the truth of II Corinthians 4:16 & 18, “Though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day . . . while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
You envy her ability to focus on eternity. When it becomes clear healing is not to be, she draws a Bible on a piece of paper, taps it with her pen, and whispers, “This is still true!”
You marvel at this unfailing encourager-in-action. When you visit her hours after an operation, she sends you to another patient. “Don’t worry about me. You should visit the woman in the next bed. She really needs you.”
You learn that even chemo treatments cannot stifle fashion. You help her apply eyebrows, wrap scarves, and find stretchy pants that don’t look old lady-ish. You buy the most luxurious prints you can find to brighten each outfit.
You discover that God prepares His children for whatever they must face. “I’m almost finished with this suffering,” she comforts you. “Two more days. Two more days, and I’ll be Home.”
She speaks with the certainty of one held close to God’s heart.
But, still, you are amazed when she is right.
Choose JOY today, friends! Blessings!
This week I’m linking up with Monday Musings, Hear It on Sunday, Soli Deo Gloria, The Better Mom, Covered in Grace, Rachelwojo, Modest Mondays, GraceLaced Mondays, Raising Arrows, A Mama’s Story, Teach Me Tuesdays, Gratituesdays, Just Write, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Tell Me About It Tuesday, Tuesdays Unwrapped, Teaching What Is Good, Mom’s Library, Tuesday Tips, What I Learned This Week, Heart and Home, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots at Home, God Bumps, Wednesday Walkabout, Think Outside the Blog, Word-filled Wednesday, Thankful Homemaker, Wisdom Wednesday, Wholehearted Home Wednesdays, Thursday Favorite Things,Thriving Thursday, Hearts for Home, Legacy Leaver, Thoughtful Thursday, Life in the Comments, Almost Friday Thursday Blog Hop, Favorite Things, Faith-filled Friday, Friday @Homemaker by Choice, Just for Fun Friday, Fellowship Friday, Womanhood with Purpose, Weekend Whatever, and Heart Reflected.
I’m praying for you and your mom… and missing Nancy today, too. Hugs friend.
I’m visiting from Grace Laced Mondays. I don’t know you, but I can feel the heartache in these words… praying extra grace and strength for you & your Mom today!
Tragic and yet amazing. Thank you for sharing.
Praying for you in your grief and I thank you for showing us the joy in so many things.
The timing of this post was such a blessing last year, as I was about to lose a friend to cancer on March 1. Praying for your mother – and her family – today.
Renee, what a beautiful tribute to your friend. Praying for you and your mom. And thanks for the awesome post on The Spark!
Can so relate to your friends journey, as my grandmother experiences much of the same thing. A parting, but a knowing, that she was not entering eternity alone…but in the close company, of her beloved Savior. Prayers for you as your walk through this time of reflection and hold dear to the sweet memories of your friend.
UNITED in Him,
Jen
This post hit close to home for me, because I too have breast cancer. You described your friend with such beautiful words. Thank you so much for sharing your story and for linking up at Leaving A Legacy.
Blessings~
Shari
Your words are true, true, true, and an example of the grace God gives us to go through the waters and not let them sweep over us, walk through the fire and not be burned. . . the miracle of comforting others with the comfort they’ve received is an amazing work of God. May God comfort YOU in the loss of your precious friend. Visiting from Hungry for God today.
Thank you so much, ladies! Sorry I didn’t get around to visiting your blogs. I appreciate your understanding. Blessings!
My friend passed a few months ago and so, your post comes close to my heart. Thanks for sharing over at WholeHearted Home this week. Thanks so much!!