“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning,and a garment of praise instead a spirit of despair.”
- Isaiah 61:1-3 [NIV]
Cancer…Who doesn’t know cancer? It affects anyone. Anywhere. An awful disease that claimed my loving father’s life back in December 2007. Diagnosed with colon cancer in 2005, it slowly spread and progressed toward devastation. It hurt him. It hurt us. His children. And many others who knew and loved my father.
Grimacing in pain at times, he kept silent. He wanted to show he was strong. He showed he was at peace at the same time. Marked by quiet rests as he laid on his bed, unable to get up anymore. For a little over 2 weeks. As my brothers and I constantly surrounded him. Buying more time to tell him how much we loved him. Feeling a hole growing inside our hearts. The size of our father.
I treasured his hugs and kisses the more. Knowing how much strength it took him to wrap his arm around me. The way he told me he loved me with every precious breath. The way he kissed me on my forehead or cheeks, lifting his weary body just to be able to do so. Same with my grown-up brothers, nestled in his arms, as we each took turn. One softly caressing the wrinkled forehead, as I applied lotion on his weary feet that used to sail many oceans when he was younger.
Laughter filled his house as many teardrops fell. Laughter that echoed in that tiny room filled with his family and friends. They were mostly tears of happiness. As my father loved to joke around. People came in crying. But they left smiling or laughing. Neighbors were often wondering why we all looked happy. Despite the imminent arrival of “Death” at my father’s house.
He said, “Let them wonder. Because for the first time, they would remember a person who passed away with his family and friends laughing and celebrating, instead of mourning.”
Cancer could be prevented. Even cured if diagnosed early. But the etiology has been a mystery.
Except…I have known about a Healer Who loves to heal us all from sins’ cancer. This spiritual cancer had spread so much since a forbidden fruit was eaten at the garden of Eden. But God had an immediate plan. Way before. He sent His miraculous healing. His love. By the death of His own Son. Yes! That was “love” crucified on that wooden cross. Because of His shed blood, He conquered cancer. And other illnesses, known or not known in this world.
We are healed that is…if the cancer-stricken spirit believes what He did and accepts His gift of love and forgiveness.
Love soothes pain. Love mends a broken heart. Love brings along with it: joy, peace and hope. Joy and peace…The ability to celebrate despite the circumstances surrounding a sick and weary soul. And hope that death is not the end of life. It’s only the beginning of an eternal journey. Promised by His love. Jesus’ unconditional love.
Love that my father had received after losing my mother years before him. No wonder! He could smile. He could laugh. He had comfort. He was strong. Despite knowing death would come any minute to end his earthly journey. And as he breathed his last, I knew then that he won his battle. Cancer would never defeat a saved soul. My father was right. I was joyful for his departure, knowing that his destination was what we all longed for. A place of rest. A place where there would be no more pain. No more tears. No more suffering. A place where a mansion was prepared for those who loved the Healer.
“Death has been swallowed up in victory
Where O Death is your victory?
Where O Death is your sting?
~ 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 [NIV]
Something beautiful halted that ugliness. The beauty of love that came from the One and only true Savior. Cancer…After all…was defeated. Cured. Nailed on the cross thousands of years ago…
“Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.”
~ Isaiah 53:4,5 [NIV]
"Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven..."
30 DAYS OF THANKSGIVING - 14
8 hours ago
Thank you for sharing a Scripture that is LIFE to me: Isaiah 53:4,5
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your heart with us. Love and blessings over you and your family dear sister in Christ.
Thank you for reminding us of GODS ultimate healing and the gift HE has given us: CHRIST!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, hugs, and prayers,
andrea
What a wonderful story about your daddy. It really shows how we can have hope in Jesus in ANY situaion.
ReplyDeleteI can't even tell you how this has touched me today. It was as if I was right back in Daddy's living room hearing him tell me "I love you honey"
ReplyDeleteknowing how strong he was trying to be for all of us. Realizing how short our time together was. I was devastated. But as you have shared here it is for glory's sake that Cancer did not win, nor did death but Christ won and He receives the glory and the praise. We will all be together again bc of Christ! I wish everyone who has gone through this could read your encouraging words bc I know it would touch them as deeply as it did me! Thank you Rosel!
Oh Rosel I can't tell you how much this blessed me this morning. I did not have this kind of relationship with my father and how I would have loved it. How blessed you were. And yet I do have my relationship with my heavenly Father and where ever would I be without that. Thank you so much for all of this. AMEN to it all. Have a wonderful day. Debbie
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you have been separated from your Father for now. Heaven is the cure for all infirmities & diseases . If He chooses not to heal us on earth , we know will have new bodies in Heaven .
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Myrna
Thanks for the powerful message of healing sis, love you.
ReplyDeleteI love reading the wisdom God has shared with you. In the last 3 years there has been way to much cancer. I lost my dear friend to breast cancer this April will be 3 years. She is with Jesus. No victory for cancer. My youngest son had melanoma and is of this summer 5 years clean. No victory for cancer. My Mom just had cancer surgery and didn't even need follow up treatments. No victory for cancer. I have a dear long time friend who as this summer will be 2 years after being told she has stage 4 ovarian cancer. Her attitude is such a blessing to everyone around her. She knows when it is her time she will be with Jesus. No victory for cancer. It is tough not being able to help but so glorious to know there is no victory for cancer when you have Jesus! Thanks for always sharing such wonderful post. Carol
ReplyDeleteI appreciate this post so much and the analogy you've made. I don't have words....
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Rosel ~ It always amazes me when I am without words in a moment like this. You truly are anointed, sister.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing post about HOPE. Your daddy and mom are now reunited forever and I know that also brings you a measure of comfort.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Lisa
Rosel,
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding us of the redemption that the cross has to offer all of us that accept it willingly!
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Dear sister Rosel,
ReplyDeleteYou have touched on a subject that is dear to my heart. When my beautiful wife was diagnosed with cancer the first time we prayed for healing......she had her entire colon removed. The second time my wife was diagnosed with cancer we once again prayed for healing........she had a double radical mastectomy. Her ONKA tests show that she is high risk for the cancer to once again return. As I write this comment.....her hematocrit keeps dropping and she is very weak. She also has much bone pain.
Why am I telling you all this? Well.....the Lord does heal some people....but not all. Even if the cancer returns.....He is precious! He is a wonderful God. He is worthy of all praise and all honor and all glory!! While my wife and I were sinners.....the worst of the worst......He saved us! And that is enough!
"ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME...LET ANGELS PROSTRATE FALL...BRING FORTH THE ROYAL DIADEM... AND CROWN HIM LORD OF ALL"!!!!
I want to share with you from Hebrews 11:17-24. As you know, this is the “heroes of Faith” chapter, but in these verses there is another group of people. They didn’t gain great victories out on the battlefield. They didn’t enter the arena of life before large audiences and perform great feats for God. These are the “others,” and they are the ones who, if you want heroes, are really God’s heroes.
Notice the contrast here. Back in verses 33 and 34 it speaks of victories which were “won”, it spoke of how they “subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword.” How do we explain this? One group by faith escaped the edge of the sword, and another group by faith were slain with the sword.
My friend’s, if you can walk up and give your testimony and tell how God has healed you-and I will join you in that-or if you can get up and say how successful you have been……I want to remind you that there are multitudes of God’s saints today who are suffering. They are paying a tremendous price. Do you know how they are doing it? They are doing it “by faith.” They have lots more faith than I have, and I think they are choicer saints than I am!
So blessed by your comment bro. Ike. Thank you for sharing that precious testimony!
ReplyDeleteWhen the Lord brought this to my heart this morning, I was also thinking of many, many friends and people who are suffering at this time. They are not finding the physical healing yet they continue to suffer for Christ. Their victory is in their faith! Thank you for leaving this precious footprints.
Very touching post. I think of many who are suffering, too. Thank God for the hope we have for ultimate healing.
ReplyDeletebeautiful post. I work with cancer patients....so this really hit home. Love the interaction your dad had with you and your family. He sounds like a man who really lit up your heart.. I never knew a parent like that...but there is One...who lights up my heart. Hugs. Sarah
ReplyDeleteBless your sweet heart. My mother also died with lung cancer. She was very brave. Thank you for that beautiful post. Blessings ~
ReplyDeleteInteresting comparison...as terrible as cancer is (my father also died from cancer), our sinful condition is an even worse "cancer" because it pierces our very souls. Praise be to Jesus the great physician and healer of our souls.
ReplyDeleteI truly admire your faith...
ReplyDeleteSweet Sister,
ReplyDeleteI've been praying for my sister throughout this day and have not gotten on the computer until now for a little bit.
Your beautiful words of the time with your father brought me back to the time with each one of my parents and what they went through and what we went through with them...and now so many in need of prayers. This post hit me deeply to my very core and I'm so happy that you shared your personal story here along with our Victory in Christ. I so needed to read this tonight. You give me comfort and peace tonight as I continue to pray for my sister and so many more this night.
I love you and I just gave you a great big hug...did you get it?
Standing with you and so many in prayer,
Alleluiabelle
By His wounds we are healed. Amen.
ReplyDeleteTruly a blessed post.
In His love always.
XOXO
Beautiful and powerful post - cancer has been on my mind lately - I needed to read this post..today.
ReplyDeleteThank you'
Love to you
Kelly
I love the way you "connect the dots" Rosel.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your story in your comment on Titus 2 in Action. I love when someone REALLY gets it! :)
You have heard it said; "Everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die".
ReplyDeleteGod created us to live forever, but after the fall death entered in. No one in their right mind wants to go through the process of death. Death is always the enemy.
But Praise be to God, Jesus Christ had victory over death and the grave. He will ultimately cast it into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:14-15 (King James Version)
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
What a glorious day that will be! Hallelujah!! PTL!!!
My dad died of cancer, and 9 hours before his death he received the Lord! Thanks for your piece. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome sister LeAnn! Glory be to God! And I knew the feeling..of seeing our loved ones go. It wasn't easy but to know that they had received the Lord into their hearts is always very comforting to us. And gives us all that hope...of being reunited. What a sweet reunion that would be. Including me and you! :) Thanks be to God. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteI love this post so much, Rosel. It must be one of the best I have ever read in any blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your heart so beautifully.
Love
Lidj
Hi Rosel,
ReplyDeleteI have experienced a miraculous healing, and have seen other healings in two particular church gatherings where the gifts of the Spirit operated. I pray that the Spiritual gifts will operate in the body of Christ on earth, as what is not possible with man is possible with God. Amen and thank You Father in Jesus' name.