I read an interview with Rick Warren (The Purpose Driven Life) a while back, I have saved it in a notebook and from time to time go back to re-read it. Over the past week, during Christmas and New Year’s, I have thought a lot about this year. What all has taken place, the lessons I have learned and the blessings that have come out of this cancer journey that I'm on. I can’t say that I’m happy that I got cancer, but I can say that it has forever changed my life. It has put things in perspective and reprioritized what’s really important in life.
Here is some of his interview...“We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense. Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort. God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ-likeness.
This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer. I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore. Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life. No matter how good things are in your life,there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.
You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems. If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, "which is my problem, my issues, my pain." But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.”
There is so much that I want to say... so much gratitude in my heart for the prayers and support you all have shown me. But somehow I am unable to find the right words to truly express how I feel... so I am borrowing the beautiful writings of Adrienne from With a Grateful Heart...
“On this last day of the year my thoughts always turn to the past. I think of experiences I’ve had through the years, friends and family who have touched my life along the way, good times, not-so-good times, laughter, tears, blessings beyond my ability to count! When I look back I see the same thing every year - God has been faithful through the years. Every year!.... No matter what! He hasn’t changed! He has held my hand and walked with me through the sunshine and the storm, leading me every step of the way....
We have come this far by faith. Yes, we have – and we will continue on. As we have lived in the past we will live in the future. By faith!
To each of you, my dear friends: I wish you the best New Year ever – filled with the most amazing blessings from God’s hand to yours – and faith. Faith beyond measure. Faith to keep moving forward through the coming year. Faith in Him Who is Faithful!” - Adrienne
Faith makes us sure of what we hope for
and gives us proof of what we cannot see.
Hebrews 11:1
Happy New Year - Cheers to 2011!
All My Love, Montye
{Also, a big thank you to Laura at Moving Strongly Forward for her thoughtful post}
{www.withagratefulheart.com & www.movingstronglyforward.typepad.com}
Do i really have the sense of mourning the loss of my youth and confusing about my future?
Posted by: Coach Outlet | February 16, 2011 at 10:57 PM
Adversity toughens him as well as wounding him.I'm a strong believer in strong personalities and strong opinions
Posted by: Chanel J12 | January 23, 2011 at 09:50 PM
Dear Montye -
I am moved and my heart was deeply touched as I read your story last evening. Thank you for your kind words. If God can use my words to lift and encourage you or others through this new year I will be most blessed. I will be back again and again to see your beautiful family and to follow the path God lead you on this coming year. I pray that you will know His best blessings along the way! (Your youngest daughter reminds me so much of my daughter when she was young - she is now the mother of four busy children of her own and she understands so much of what I told her through the years!)
~Adrienne~
Posted by: Adrienne | January 01, 2011 at 08:36 AM