Author Archives: Maggie

I’m a “guest blogger,” although I have to admit I hardly know what that means! I sent an email to a friend about blogging and she put it on her blog — so I guess it means writing on someone else’s blog or having them re-post what you wrote. Anyway, if you are into blogging, check it out at: http://equipping4eministry.wordpress.com/2013/03/16/maggies-advice-for-beginning-bloggers/

Let me know If you think I’m on track with what I wrote in “comments.”

I don’t usually suggest another blog, but Sharon Jaynes is one I follow, and her posting today was better than anything I could write. It is found at: http://sharonjaynes.com/

It’s a reminder of who God is, that life contains suffering along with the ministry of the Holy Spirit. She quotes James Dobson, “Trying to analyze His [God’s] omnipotence is like an amoeba attempting to comprehend the behavior of man.”

Today we had another “twist and turn” that has left my head spinning like the tea cup ride at Disney. Roger is out of town on a ministry trip, so we don’t have much ability to process emotions or information. I feel like that amoeba trying to wrap my head around things being said by doctors filtered through the mind of Christ.

Pray for clarity…

And that I don’t throw up while I am on this wild ride. He is the engineer of the ride and is sitting next to me. I don’t know if I can be like James (in the picture) and raise my hands in pure joy of the process, but pray we will have enough trust in the Maker that our hearts are calm.

 Life is an adventure.

For some reason, we think in terms of straight line, from where we are to where we want to be. Life defies that. I believe twists and turns are a part of God’s plan in growing us up into his image.

You may know my cancer (multiple myeloma) raised it’s ugly head again 2 weeks ago. It’s complicated because I have a broken leg (compound Tibia & Fibula fractures) that have not been healing (non-union).

Life has been difficult.

The oncologist wanted to wait a month to start chemo so that the orthopedic doctor could do the surgery he has talked about for 2 months. When I went to the orthopedic doctor, he changed is approach to quality of life and backed away from surgery.

Now I’m stuck in what feels like a holding pattern.  Anyone who knows me knows I don’t like to feel stuck, trapped in circumstances.  I’m an action oriented person. I was really disappointed after the orthopedic appointment. I was up for the challenge. I needed something to do to — either attack the cancer or fix the leg.

God knows I don’t like feeling stuck.

That’s why he met me in the stillness of the morning. He reminded me of the road near our cabin, how it twists and turns. As you walk, you know you are headed towards the top, but you can’t see it. Sometimes you are actually walking downhill before you can walk uphill again.

I realized that I’m not stuck, the path just turned and that somewhere in God’s plans, there are reasons for the turn. There were things that I could attack (medical tests, physical therapy) and I could explore different options (get a second opinion). I smiled and started walking.

Why do I think the path from A to B is a straight line?

Where do you feel “stuck?” What could you do to become “unstuck?” Let me know in the Comments —

Less face it, there is fear when we face a new challenge. And my experience is not without fear.

I have Multiple Myeloma. 7 years ago, it exploded on my life. 17 years ago I had been diagnosed with Monoclonal Gammopathy, it’s precursor. So I have been living with this in one way or another for a long time and have learned several things:

Statistics are scary.

You know it’s not good when you are searching Google and come up with obituaries. I no longer search, but Roger sometimes does and filters them to me. I have always known this was not a good kind of cancer to have, if there can a be “good” kind of cancer to have. It is considered “incurable” which means you can beat it back, but never get rid of it. It always comes back.

I have a choice. I can give into the fear or lean into the Lord. I can fight emotionally or rest spiritually. I can focus on statistics, the truth of this world, or focus on faith in the truth of eternity.

Statistics reflect unique opportunities.

Somehow I have been “blessed” with MM. Statistically, it hits African-Americans males the most, then Caucasian males, then African-American females, and then Caucasian females – the lowest group.

So I do view this as a unique blessing. God chose me despite statistics. I feel it is a part of His plan in my life and in the lives of those around me. And who would want to emotionally or spiritually fight a blessing?

Statistics reveal grace.

Even with less energy and more pain, I am humbled and amazed by what God does in and through me. The lives I have touched, the ministry processes I have help put into place, the experiences I have had with children and grandchildren — I could go on and on! God’s grace runs through me like yarn in a knitted blanket, covering us over and over and lasting beyond me. How can I fight grace?

Statistics can be scary, but they do reveal opportunity and grace.

I’d love to hear from you, either a comment or question. And I wonder, what statistics scare you? How do you handle it?

You may be wondering after our recent news how I am doing? (see latest post under Prayer Letters)

I’m not sure what to judge it against, but I think I am doing well. This was not unexpected. Every time I went to my oncologist, I knew this might be the day. Last Wednesday, it was. Afterwards, Roger and I looked at each other  and repeated back what the oncologist had said. We hugged.

The battle has begun. 

It’s a battle physically, emotionally and spiritually.

• It’s a time to hold on to what you know is true.
• It’s a time to not give into fears.
• It’s a time to give to others.
• It’s a time to focus on what will last – here and eternity.
• It’s a time to rest, physically and spiritually, and let God take over in our minds and hearts.

I won’t say I haven’t shed tears. This is hard. But with my personality, I get more into facing the challenge than into the feelings, especially my own.

I have tremendous hope, not in living, but in my Lord.

Wherever I am, He is there. He will never leave me or forsake me.

I am sad for those who love me, and my “hope” is in the fact that God has allowed these circumstances not only into my life, but into their lives. They are part of his opportunity-giving for them to grow and deal with things they might not normally deal with. God has been so gracious to give me these 6 years, and I lean into His grace right now.

God’s grace will cover them as well.

All in all, when I look at the list above, this time is not that different what should be true of all of my life. It’s transferring values into a new set of circumstances. It’s “spiritual breathing” on a whole different level.

Thank you for journeying with me through this. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. God is still the god of heaven and earth, and today, in this moment, I choose to rest in Him.

Some people have been asking me why I am doing better about my leg, and it made me give it some thought. I think we would all like to figure hard things like this out, almost as if we could create a magic button we could push in our own lives, or in my case, when my life becomes hard again.

But there is no magic button.

The best I can do is propose a rough formula that I can see as I look back.

• Time – Time inand of itself does not heal all things, but time helps us see ways to get through. Instead of flailing for instant relief, time gives our brain space to think through options and eventually make choices that lead us in a direction. And time, if we let it, results in rest.

• Open Heart – When we quite fighting our circumstances, our heart opens up to what is left in our lives. It might not be what we want it to be. But there are still possibilities for good. When I quit fighting the process I hate, I can choose to embrace the idea that some good might come of the pain.

• Belief – This ingredient starts small, becoming bigger over time. As my heart opens a crack, I want to believe that someone, somewhere, is in control and has my best interest (or the interest of the universe) in mind. I do believe in a personal God, who loves me deeply. Sometimes I feel far from that love, or don’t understand it, but as I look at nature and the fine detail of a hummingbird’s wing or the petals of a flower, I realize I don’t have to understand it. I just have to believe.

• Gratitude – As I begin to come out of the fog of a closed heart and unbelief, I begin to see the world differently. Things could be so much worse than what they are. I have a wonderful family and friends who share my pain. And physically, my pain could be so much worse than what it is. It’s just my leg, and not my whole body.

• Peace – Peace is the place I want to end up. Jesus said he would give me his peace. Not peace like the world’s, but something far beyond any earthly answers for pain. Peace that not only gives rest, but motivates us to get up off of our (?!?) and go about the mission he has given us to glorify Him.

I’m not good at Algebra and someone out there might want to help me, but maybe this could be:

T (OH + B + G) = P

 Time multiplies the combination of an Open Heart, Belief and Gratitude which together equals a Peace that surpasses all understanding. I think that is where I’m living these days. When any ingredient levels go down, my peace goes down.  But when they are high, I can face

I’d love to hear from others…what would your formula be?

We’re back in Blue Ridge, Georgia, one of my favorite places.

It’s an unusually warm day. Often it’s cold and snowy, like this picture taken just days ago.

But today it is so mild, I’m able to sit on the porch. The sun is setting, but the clouds obscure any sunset. The only sounds I hear are the wind chimes tinkling out their individual tunes as the breeze moves gently. It reminds me of how unique each person is as the Holy Spirit runs through each life. I hope we sound just as beautiful to God.

It is my own personal paradise. I know some people like Key West and some like mountains of Alaska, but for me, this is my own personal paradise.

We started coming here 12 years ago for family vacation. Roger found the town and was captivated by the area. Renting a cabin seemed like a good way to connect with nature since his wife (me) was no longer willing to freeze in a sleeping bag, on hard ground, in the middle of noisy campgrounds, washing dishes in cold water — you get the idea.

Our family has grown to love the area, and even though life has gotten hard at times, it’s been a place to get away, have some fun, re-connect with kids and watch grandkids grow. It’s also been a place where we have had devotions, sharing our hearts about God and celebrating our growth.

Two years ago, my mother died. Dad had died years before and she had been left alone. We always stopped to see her in Atlanta on our way to Blue Ridge. We felt it would honor her to buy a cabin for family vacations with our inheritance. It would also keep us connected to relatives here. Little did we know that just minutes from our cabin is where my great, great grandfather’s life started, born in a little white farmhouse in the hills. Mother’s spirit of love and generosity permeates the cabin.

But most of all, the peace of God is at the cabin. I have met with him on the porch and he has poured through me words I have needed to hear. I have laughed and cried with friends on this porch. I have made new friends, seeing them grow in their faith in amazing ways. His creativity has flowed through me in poems and crafts that both surprised and delighted me. Even when I fell and broke my leg here, his peace filled me.

That’s why I dare to call this “a piece of paradise.” I know my true paradise is heaven. I know God is with me wherever I go, even into the depths of hell.

But right now, in the midst of this gentle breeze, he is with me in Blue Ridge, Georgia. It is a glimpse, a tiny piece, of what the fullness will be like in my true, eternal paradise.

Where is your personal paradise? Is there a place the Lord meets you in special ways? I’d love to hear about it…