Today’s writing was done by Deborah’s daughter, Briley. Briley is finishing her junior year at Georgetown High School.
My mom has taught me a lot. She has taught me how to cook, how to be a good listener, but more importantly how to work hard. I have watched her since I was a little girl working hard as a teacher and now as an instructional coach. I have always looked up to her and continue to do that as my goal after high school is to become a teacher and hopefully be just as good as she is. She has not only shown me that you have to work hard in your job but that you also have to work hard for the Lord. I have very fond memories with my mom at church or when we used to say my prayers together when I was little. She works hard to make sure people know that God loves everyone and will be here for us no matter what by sharing on the blog, doing things with the church, and even in everyday situations you can tell the Lord is working through her. She is someone I aspire to be like when I am older not only in my work place but also in my walk with Jesus.
In honor of Mother’s Day, Julie and I asked our daughters if they would be willing to share some thoughts that we could share with you. Briley and Kendal are 17 and 20, respectively. We are so honored that they took the time to write for our blog and know you will be blessed by their willingness to walk on water.
Before we share their writings, I encourage you to do the same. Take some time to write down your thoughts about your mom, grandmother, or someone who has been a mother figure to you. How has she shown you love and shaped you? How has her influence impacted you?
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the gift of mothers. Thank You for those who become mother figures. Thank You for those who accepted the job of mothering. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Exodus 14:21-22 NIV — Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
Today God is writing our stories, just like He did with the Israelites. What is God doing with your story? Join us as we wrap up the week sharing on Julie’s testimony story.
Exodus 14:21-22 NIV — Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
I would have loved to be with Moses and the Israelites to see the Red Sea part. Can you imagine walking through with sea walls all around you? Thankfully we have this story written in the word of God to know that we serve a mighty God who is faithful in His promises. Today God is writing our stories, just like He did with the Israelites.
What is God doing with my story? More often HPV will go away on its own. After three years of screenings and biopsies, I was advised by trusted doctors to have a Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure, otherwise known as a LEEP. This was hard for me to plan because I was in the middle of training for a marathon that I felt sure God had called me to do. Back in January 2022, less than two months before my race I had the procedure. Thankfully I recovered well and was able to run my race.
I thought I would finally be done with this HPV journey. I was at peace knowing that I had taken every preventive measure possible. Five months later I went in for a follow-up screening and my results came back High-grade (HSIL) Dysplasia/Carcinoma in Situ. This isn’t cancer but pre-cancer.
From there I was advised by a gynecological oncologist to have a hysterectomy. It can take up to a decade for HPV to turn into cancer. Mine had been more aggressive and, therefore, was at a higher risk. Leading up to my hysterectomy, I had four months to mentally, physically, and spiritually prepare. It was no different than training. Life isn’t a 5K, it is a marathon. Surgery day was just another race. Praise God, my biopsy results came back with no signs of cancer. My miracle is that God answered my prayers.
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for parting the waters and walking through the Red Sea with me. I continually seek You as You are writing my story. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
Look at these U.S. yearly stats from CDC.gov. Each day has been something different about my HPV journey. If you missed one, I encourage you to go back and read:
Psalms 34:4 NIV — I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
What does it mean to live by faith? To seek the Lord in everything we do. In this verse from Psalms, David isn’t saying we will be delivered from our trials, but if we seek God He will deliver us from our fears. I can relate to David. When my HPV journey first started, my Dad was in the middle of his cancer journey. Through these two journeys, God had been there for me every time I sought Him. He has even held me when I didn’t.
Often our trials are meant to transform us in the process. I have learned to be an advocate for my health. It is not much different from being an advocate for our faith. Everytime Satan tries to get a foothold, we can stand on God’s word. With every test result, I would have more questions. I encourage us all to ask those questions and to keep asking. It is so important to be educated on our health. After all, we are living temples for the Holy Spirit, so we must take care of our bodies. I encourage you to listen to this clip, He Knows What’s next? As Steven Furtick talks about living by faith.
I also encourage you to listen to the song, Fear Is Not My Future by Brandon Lake. This entire song speaks to my story. My favorite part is saying goodbye to fear, guilt, shame, pain, and grave.
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You that fear is not my future. Help me to walk by faith and not by sight. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
HPV is more common than you think. There are groups of more than 150 related viruses to HPV. Learn more facts from Cancer.org
This week I am sharing a very personal journey. Each day will be something different about my journey. If you missed one, I encourage you to go back and read:
